Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Creativity and Personal Development combines theory and practice. Students learn
about creativity theory and then get an opportunity to put their theoretical learning into
practice by exploring a broad range of creativity techniques. Working in groups,
students are presented with a real world business problem to solve, giving them the
opportunity to learn about the rewards and challenges of team working, tight
deadlines, presentations to management and coming up with creative problems to
reallife business problems. The final assessment gives each student the opportunity to
reflect on their experiences on the module and to consider their personal development
needs.
Aims
This module provides a practical introduction to the study of creativity in a business context.
To enable participants to effectively and creatively solve problems in business contexts.
Intended Learning Outcomes
evaluate the factors that influence creativity in an organisational environment including communication, decision making, handling potential conflicts, personal attitudes and group roles: 1,2
critically determine the cultural, individual and organisational barriers that may inhibit creativity and evaluate the advantages of collaboration in learning processes and in the development of business organisations: 2
evaluate and synthesise a range of techniques for defining different types of problems, generating solutions and implementing them: 2
critically appraise the theories and techniques of creative problem solving to real business problems: 2
compare and contrast the relative merits of different research methods and evaluate how they could be applied to addressing business problems: 2
24 hours seminar teaching (comprising a range of teaching methods, from brief lecture to focused group work, seminar discussion, and role play)
36 hours Seminar preparation
30 hours Presentation preparation and delivery
30 hours Business plan preparation
30 hours Private study
Description of Module Assessment
1: Group Presentation weighted 50%20 minute presentation
20 minute group presentation to a 'board' of employers and academic staff on a specific problem identified by an employer. Marks awarded to the presentation group (e.g. 5 students) based upon a pre-specified set of criteria, including addressing the problem, presentation skills, addressing board questions etc. Peer assessment included as part of the assessment process
2: Essay weighted 50%3000 words reflective essay
Individual work-based reflective essay of 3,000 words exploring the process of problem identification and solution as well as the nature of individual and team working.