SM9536 - Creativity and Innovation

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature and practice of creativity and innovation and how it can be applied, whether within the context of a new venture or an existing organisation. The module will cover theories relating to innovation and its management within a strategic management context. This will be combined with an introduction to processes of stimulating creativity in a variety of business contexts. The module will seek to facilitate the development of practical skills to promote creative thinking through practice-based elements in which real world problems are introduced for the testing of creative teamworking techniques.
Specific topics will include:

Innovation in a strategic context:
What is innovation, innovation and industrial dynamics, innovation strategy, disruptive innovation

The process of innovation and creativity:
Models of innovation process, sources of innovation, open innovation, innovation management, creativity, design thinking.

The creative environment:
The creative organisation, creative industries, creative class, creative places

Innovation and creativity policy:
Innovation systems and clusters, promoting creative places

How will I learn on this module?

The module combines a variety of forms of learning including traditional classroom teaching, online resources, and group practical activities as well as independent learning. Classroom based teaching will include lectures and groupwork guided by tutors to build a foundation of concepts and tools. The teaching will be underpinned by digital resources available on the e-learning platform, including texts, videos and case studies to provide a research-rich approach. You will be expected to read key texts in advance of some sessions in order to be able to participate in interactive discussions on your understanding of concepts.
You will be expected to reflect on your learning and apply the lessons to your own experiences and to collaborative projects with fellow students.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported with a comprehensive set of learning materials via the e-learning platform which will provide access to academic materials such as journal articles, reports and case studies, but also grey literature such as company reports, newspaper and magazine articles, videos and blogs. The platform will include comprehensive reading lists for each component of the module (lectures and seminars).
Ongoing support and guidance will also be provided by the teaching team through a mix of class sessions and via discussions on the e-learning platform.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concepts underpinning innovation, creativity and creative processes and in a variety of settings.
2. Apply theoretical concepts relating to innovation and creativity to real world problems in order to develop solutions

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Reflect on personal capabilities for creative work and how this can be enhanced through teamwork
4. Develop an awareness of how creative and problem solving processes are implemented in culturally diverse groups

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Develop a sense of curiosity and willingness to experiment with new ideas to meet the needs of different social and environmental contexts

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment:
The taught sessions will be interactive and will require students to participate in groupwork and do short informal presentations on the results of groupwork with informal feedback from tutors and other students.
A major groupwork project will be to undertake a creative project addressing an issue identified by the tutor. Students may use a variety of approaches to address the issue and will have to do a group presentation on their findings. Formative feedback will be provided by tutors and peers in these sessions which will assist students in developing their understanding of the themes and reflecting on their learning.

Summative assessment:
The summative element of the assessment is made up of two components.
Students will develop a 2500 word case study report of creativity or innovation in an identified organisation. This assesses learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module will help you develop your ability to harness innovation and creativity in your future careers. The module brings together a broad understanding of innovation and its importance to business and service development together with tools and techniques that can be used to create new ideas. You will learn through a combination of conventional lectures and seminars and more interactive group work to apply creative thinking to real world problems. Your work will also support the aim of developing entrepreneurial skills. As a result of attending this module you will be able to better work with others in creating new products and business concepts.

Course info

UCAS Code N805

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years full-time or 4 year sandwich

Department Newcastle Business School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024 or September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

Current, Relevant and Inspiring

We continuously review and improve course content in consultation with our students and employers. To make sure we can inform you of any changes to your course register for updates on the course page.


Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints