Course Syllabus
IDS 1353 CREATIVITY IN CONTEXT
Spring 2016 Course Syllabus
Course Description. IDS 1353 Creativity-in-Context highlights a set of creative thinking tools and provides an introductory overview of the theoretical models of creativity. The creative thinking tools and theoretical foundations frame experiential learning activities in the course and offers the necessary background for IDS 1359 Creativity-in-Action Practicum, which is the next course in the Innovation Academy minor.
Throughout the semester, students will be invited to survey and practice a set of creative thinking tools, explore and develop their own creative processes, and experience collaborative creative problem solving in teams. Creative scientists, artists and engineers will present their stories and experiences with creative processes in the Innovation Academy Speaker series.
The course balances instructor-lead presentations, active dialogue, small group work, and hands-on activities. Individual course sections will contain common core content, but individual instructors will offer a variety of experiential learning exercises. Learning in this course will occur in many ways: presentations; discussions; exercises; as well as project-based learning that involves observing, diagramming and sketching.
Course Objectives and Goals. Following are the objectives of the course with specific goals:
Students will learn about creativity and the creative process. Students will be able to (i) define creativity; (ii) explain theoretical models that guide the creative process; and (iii) recognize barriers that limit creativity in individuals and organizations.
- Students will exercise critical and creative thinking. Students will be able to (i) examine their perceptions of their personal creative ability; (ii) define creative thinking tools; and (iii) demonstrate the ability to utilize creative thinking tools
- Students will learn about Design Thinking (DT). Students will be able to (i) define DT process; (ii) identify a challenge; (iii) practice observation, interview and empathy skills to learn about the challenge; (iv) share and integrate team learnings to develop a thorough intellectual and emotional understanding of the challenge; and (v) identify opportunities for creative solutions for the challenge.
Instructor. Dr. Jeff Citty, Office: Infirmary 321. Email: jmcitty@ufl.edu, URL: www.innovationacademy.ufl.edu, Office Hours: by appointment only call (352) 294-1785 to arrange
Classroom Meetings. Infinity Hall 108B, Thursday’s 8-9 period (3:00 – 4:55 pm).
Required Textbook. Root-Bernstein, R. and M. Root-Bernstein. Sparks of Genius: The 13 Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People. First Mariner Books, Edition 2001. ISBN-10: 0618127453. ISBN-13: 978-0618127450.
Required Supplies. A sketchbook for brainstorming, diagramming, idea generation, sketching is required for class. This sketchbook with blank pages (NO grid or Ruled paper!) will be required for in-class and out-of-class assignments that will be used throughout this course and in IDS 1359. Recommended size is no smaller than 9” x 11” (approximate).
Innovation Academy Speaker Series. To further enrich course learning, students will have the opportunity to learn from creators, innovators and entrepreneurs who will be invited to share their processes, experiences and stories with you. Attendance will be required for two out-of-class evening lectures in the IA Speaker Series as noted in the course outline.
Course Outline. Throughout the semester, following outline will be followed:
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Week |
Date |
Detailed Plan |
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1 |
1/7 |
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2 |
1/14 |
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3 |
1/21 |
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4 |
1/28 |
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5 |
2/4 |
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6 |
2/11 |
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7 |
2/18 |
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8 |
2/25 |
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9 |
3/3 |
Spring Break |
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Week |
Date |
Detailed Plan |
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10 |
3/10 |
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11 |
3/17 |
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12 |
3/24 |
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13 |
3/31 |
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14 |
4/7 |
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15 |
4/14 |
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16 |
4/21 |
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Grading Scale. Note that a C- is no longer an acceptable grade for any course in which a 2.0 GPA is required, for example, any course in the major. For additional information on UF grade policies see: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx#calculatinggpa
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A |
A- |
B+ |
B |
B- |
C+ |
C |
C- |
D+ |
D |
D- |
E |
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100-93 |
92-90 |
87-89 |
83-86 |
80-82 |
77-79 |
73-76 |
70-72 |
67-69 |
63-66 |
60-63 |
0-60 |
Course Evaluation. The course requires the participation of the student, the completion of an individual project, and the completion of a team project. A student’s final grade for the class will be calculated based on class participation grade, individual project grade and team project grade as follows:
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Class Participation |
36% |
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IA Speaker Series Participation |
4% |
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Individual Project |
40% |
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Team Project |
20% |
Class Participation. Participation is defined as coming to class having read and being ready to discuss the required readings; contributing meaningfully to discussions; fully completing all individual and group class activities and contributing meaningfully to group work; along with demonstrating the ability to apply class lessons to assigned projects. A student’s final grade for class participation will be calculated based on individual/group assignments, in-class individual/group activities, IA Speaker attendance and related assignments along with quizzes as follows:
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Unannounced Quizzes |
30 |
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Assignments |
30 |
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In-class Activities |
40 |
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TOTAL |
100 |
Academic Honor Code. We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity by upholding the university honor code when completing all work submitted for credit in this course. Specifically, all students at the University of Florida adhere to the UF code which states: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment . . .” The UF honor code in its entirety is available at: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/advising/info/student-honor-code.aspx
Please note that any violations of the UF Academic Honor System will not be tolerated. Specifically, we will rigorously pursue incidents of academic dishonesty of any type. Make sure to ask your instructor for any clarification of any of the code’s expectations that you do not understand. Before submitting any work for this class, please read the policies about academic honesty at the link above or at: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial
Student Accommodations. The University of Florida provides high-quality services to students with disabilities, and we encourage students with documented disabilities to take advantage of them. Students with needing academic accommodations must complete the following process: (1) register in person with the Disability Resource Center by working with staff, who will help qualified students secure the required documentation and then (2) the student must bring a letter from the Disability Resource Center to the course instructor indicating the need for academic accommodations. Please do this within the first week or two of classes. For further information, refer to the following link: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drp
Safe Education Environment Policy
IDS1353 - is a combined lecture and discussion course. This means that, in part, all students are responsible for contributing to both their own learning experience and the learning experience of others.
Because open dialogue questions and answers of every student are essential, any behavior or language that makes other student feel unsafe or unwelcome in this classroom cannot be tolerated (examples range from simply interrupting or ignoring others while they are talking to overt harassment or intimidation with reference to ract, gender identity, sexual identity, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or ability).
Class Attendance Policy. Please be advised that IDS1353 does not subscribe to a "free cut" policy for any missed classes. This is a highly experiential class and a lot of work will be done in class. Attendance will be taken. A student who arrives to class more than 15 minutes after the class is scheduled to commence will receive an unexcused absence for that class period, subject to approval by the instructor. Also, students are responsible for providing the instructor reason(s) for his or her absence at least 1 day before. The only excused absences are documented illnesses and documented emergencies, subject to approval by the instructor. Missed work for these approved absences may be made up within a timely fashion. If a student misses a class for some (unexcused) reason, they should obtain any material or assignments from another class member. Please note class presentations and materials will not be distributed or made available on Canvas. See UF policies at:
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx.
You will be allotted 1 unexcused absence or 2 unexcused tardies. After that, you will lose 5 points on your Class Participation grade per subsequent absence and 2.5 point per subsequent tardy.
Class Conduct Policy. In-class participation and conduct will help you make the most of your IA experience. This highly experiential class requires active dialogue, small group work, and hands-on-exercises to facilitate the learning process. The expectation is that you come to class having completed the reading assignment. You are also expected to give the course material, the instructor, and fellow students your full attention. To focus completely on learning activities, texting, surfing, etc. cannot occur during class time. Inattentive or disruptive behavior that impedes you from fully participating in class or prevents others from paying attention will not be allowed. Students who do not meet conduct expectations will be given one warning by electronic mail, and continued behavior issues will result in the loss participation points per course instructor’s discretion.
Course Summary:
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