CULT34857GD
Applications of Creativity and Innovation
Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.

Over two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820, eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to settlement. Today, Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14, also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.

Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.


Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Winter 2026
Prerequisites: (CULT17545GD AND SOCS10172GD AND CULT26529GD) OR (SOCS25288GD)
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Degree Breadth
Program Coordinator(s): Alexander Hollenberg
Course Leader or Contact: Michael McNamara
Version: 20260105_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Students appraise how people apply creative processes within a global and creative context to produce innovations. Students examine the life-paths of innovators in different disciplines and different cultural and historical settings, as well as the factors that encourage or inhibit creative outcomes. Further, through readings in interdisciplinary theory and research, students assess the relationship between creativity and innovation and conduct their own research and practice of the attributes, characteristics, and behaviours of 'innovators'. Through a variety of interactive lectures, written assignments and interactive activities, students develop their own personal innovation plan for engaging in their respective fields.

Program Context

 
Degree Breadth Program Coordinator(s): Alexander Hollenberg
This is an advanced (3000)- level Baccalaureate elective in the Global Culture field of study for students in the Degree programs. Electives make students aware of the distinctive assumptions and analysis of at least one discipline outside their main field of study and of the society and culture in which they live and work.


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to synthesize theories of creativity and innovation toward a comprehensive plan for action in their professional areas of study.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Cultivate a deliberate set of individual creative dispositions, habits, practices, and skills
  2. Appraise the relationship between creativity and innovation in a global context
  3. Synthesize creativity skills and innovation skills for positive action in personal, community, regional, and global settings
  4. Integrate theoretical frameworks of creativity and innovation within interdisciplinary settings
  5. Apply personal creativity to other disciplines or areas of study through individual applications and outside project work
  6. Create a personalized innovation plan

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS
 Innovation Skills Aptitude Assessment25.0%
 Midterm test20.0%
 Role Model Interview - Presentation10.0%
 Role Model Interview - Paper15.0%
 Creative Journey Project - Presentation10.0%
 Creative Journey Project - Paper20.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT PROTOCOL To encourage behaviours that will help students to be successful in the workplace and to ensure that students receive credit for their individual work, the following rules apply to every course offered within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. 1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the professor. 2. Students must write all tests at the specified times. Missed tests, in-class activities, assignments and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. If an extension or make-up opportunity is approved by the professor as outlined below, the mark of zero may be revised by subsequent performance. The penalty for late submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five business days (excluding weekends and statutory holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business days include any day that the college is open for business, whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not. 3. Students, who miss a test or in-class activity or assignment or fail to submit an assignment on time due to exceptional circumstances, are required to notify their professor in advance of the class whenever possible. A make-up test may be supplied for students who provide an acceptable explanation of their absence and/or acceptable documentation explaining their absence (e.g., a medical certificate). All make-up tests are to be written at a time and place specified by the professor upon the student's return. Alternately, students may be given an opportunity to earn the associated marks by having a subsequent test count for the additional marks. Exceptional circumstances may result in a modification of due dates for assignments. 4. Unless otherwise specified, assignments and projects must be submitted at the beginning of class. 5. Students must complete every assignment as an individual effort unless, the professor specifies otherwise. 6. Inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology (as defined in the Academic Integrity Policy) is not permitted in any course in FHASS. Faculty may provide explicit guidelines on the use of Generative AI, digital technology, and machine writing tools in all courses within FHASS. Where no course-specific guidelines are provided, any use of Generative AI is strictly prohibited. Students are responsible for understanding expectations for every evaluation. 7. Since there may be instances of grade appeal or questions regarding the timely completion of assignments and/or extent of individual effort, etc., students are strongly advised to keep, and make available to their professor, if requested, a copy of all assignments and working notes until the course grade has been finalized. 8. There will be no resubmission of work unless this has been previously agreed to or suggested by the professor. 9. Students must submit all assignments in courses with practical lab and field components in order to pass the course.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:


 

Degree Breadth
This Degree Breadth course relates to the following field of study as specified by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

  • Level 3000, Global Culture

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

  • Challenge Exam
    Notes:  Students must successfully complete both elements of the PLA in order to be considered for credit.
  • Portfolio
    Notes:  Students must successfully complete both elements of the PLA in order to be considered for credit.

 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: Michael McNamara
Resource(s):
Course material costs can be found through the Sheridan Bookstore

 TypeDescription
OptionalOther- Hahn, Don. (1998). Dancing Corn Dogs in the Night: Reawakenina your Creative Spirit. New York: Hyperion. - Pink, Daniel (2006). A Whole New Mind. New York: Riverhead Trade
OptionalTextbookDancing Corn Dogs in the Night, Hahn, Don, 1998
OptionalTextbookThe Whole New Mind, Pink, Daniel, Riverhead Trade, 2006

Applicable student group(s): Degree Breadth
Course Details:

Unit 1: Introduction

Topics:
- Review of Previous Learning and Concepts
- Creativity
- Creative Problem Solving Processes and tools
- Purpose of the Course
- Review of Course Learning Outcomes
- Review of Course Outline, Assignments, and Reading Schedule

Module A: Theories of Creativity and Innovation


Unit 2: Theories of Creativity

Topics:
- Trait Theory
- Cognitive Psychology
- Socio-cultural Theories
- Csikszentmihalyi's systems model
- Amabile's Componential theory of creativity


Unit 3: Theories of Invention & Innovation

Topics:
- The Great Man Theory
- The Heroic theory of invention
- Theory of Multiple Discovery
- Universal Mind Theory
- Attribution Theory
- Theory of Serendipity

Module B: Creativity and Innovation in a Global Context


Unit 4: Creativity, Innovation, and New Trends in the Global Economy

Topics:
- Globalization
- Innovation and Competitiveness in the Global Economy
- New Trends and Changing Dynamics

Assignment:
- Innovation Skills Aptitude Assessments (25%)


Unit 5: Creativity and Innovation around the World

Topics:
- Global Creativity Index
- Creative Cities Movement
- Creative Class
- Bohemian Index
- Mosaic Index
- Gay Index

Assignment:
- Midterm test (20%)

Module C: Role Models and Mentors: Observing  Creativity and
Innovation in Action


Unit 7: Role Models and Mentors: Creative Innovators in the Global

Economy
Topics:
- Attributes, Attitudes, Intelligences and Behaviours of
Creators and Innovators


Unit 8: Roles Models and Mentors: Creative Innovators in the Arts

Topics:
- Attributes, Attitudes, Intelligences and Behaviours of
Creators and Innovators

Assignments:
- Role Model Interview Presentations  begin (10%)


Unit 9: Role Models and Mentors: Creative Innovators in the Community
Topics:
- Attributes, Attitudes, Intelligences and Behaviours of
Creators and Innovators

Assignments:
- Role Model Interview Presentations completed (10%)
- Role Model Interview Papers (15%)

Module E: Charting your Creative Journey


Unit 10: Creating Connections:  Networks and Building Momentum
Topics:
- Understanding and Building  Networks
- Small-World Experiment
- Contagion
- Tipping Points


Unit 11: Projecting your Creative Profile: Portfolios of Creativity,
Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Topics:
- Understanding  and Emphasizing your Talent(s)
- Skill Gaps and Skill Development Planning
- Professional Goals and Objectives
- Personal Goals and Objectives
- Building Competitive Profiles

Assignments:
- Creative Journey Project Presentations begin (10%)
- Creative Journey Project Paper (20%)



Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence. Students are encouraged to engage with generative AI in teaching and learning contexts thoughtfully. Please review the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence at Sheridan College.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.


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