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Unit outline_

OLET2701: Understanding Creativity

Semester 2a, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Understanding Creativity is geared towards those actively seeking to learn new creative skills or assess and improve creative approaches to their life and work challenges. The course offers experience in the range of creativity you can develop - from everyday creative thinking and actions to deep creative practice using skills and discipline expertise. We begin by stepping through the creative process in workshop style learning sessions called creativegrounds. In these workshops you are guided towards choosing the right tools to design, construct, compose or produce creative outcomes for professional, personal or social interests. Together, your creative capacity will develop through a series of exercises designed to expand your comfort zone, not take you out of it. We will conclude by a group survey of project results.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jane Gavan, jane.gavan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jane Gavan, jane.gavan@sydney.edu.au
Tanya Peterson, tanya.peterson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task "Out of Thin Air" (Creative Project Proposal)
Individual written and images
20% Week 02
Due date: 19 Aug 2021 at 23:59
200-400 words + 3-5 digital images
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Presentation "Out of Thin Air" Work in progress - individual presentation of proposal ideas
Participation, presentation, peer review of proposal ideas/work-in-progress
20% Week 03
Due date: 24 Aug 2021 at 09:00
In-class small group workshops
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO4 LO3
Presentation "Out of Thin Air" (Creative Project)
Creative work presented in class,then documentation as end of week upload
60% Week 04
Due date: 03 Sep 2021 at 09:00
3-5 minutes plus upload documentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Each of the three UC assessments are connected

and designed to build your skills cumulatively, as you work towards the final major assessment.

  1. "Out of Thin Air"(Creative Project Proposal) is an online assessment

  2. "Out of Thin Air" Work in progress presentation of proposal ideas are in-class workshops with small groups giving peer feedback to further develop your work  

  3. "Out of Thin Air"(Creative Project) is an in-class presentation of your project

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

We will be guiding you through each assessment from Week 1 with in class advice and lots of class discussion.

 

Assessment criteria

OLET2701 Grade Descriptors

 

High Distinction (85%+): An Outstanding Level of Achievement. Displays innovative and imaginative thinking. Project work demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research and production, confident and proficient application of creative concept, materials relevant to the project and critical skills throughout, and makes an insightful contribution to the student’s or discipline area or other knowledge domain. High level of ability to set demanding and achievable objectives, meets those objectives in challenging and exciting ways with a high degree of success. Demonstrates a broad and in-depth knowledge of current issues and practices as well as the ability to apply theoretical understandings and relate ideas and project work to a broader context. Exhibits independence in thinking and motivation as well as a high degree of sophistication in critical analysis and self-evaluation.

 

Distinction (75-84%): An Excellent Level of Achievement.  Project work demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness in research and production, competent application of creative concept, materials relevant to the project and critical skills throughout, receptive to critical feedback and a willingness to explore new ideas. Displays a high level of commitment to work, ability to set demanding and achievable objectives and meet those objectives with a high degree of success and originality. Demonstrates a broad awareness of current issues and practices and the ability to adapt and apply ideas to new situations. Independently motivated, resolves problems with informed critical judgment.

 

High Credit (70-74%): Highly Competent Work. Project work displays evidence of initiative in research and production, competent application of creative concept and materials relevant to the project and critical skills in most areas, receptive to critical feedback and a willingness to explore new ideas. Exhibits a commitment to work, the ability to set clear and achievable objectives, and meets those objectives with some degree of success and originality. Demonstrates awareness and understanding of key concepts and practices and the ability to relate and contextualize ideas. Approaches problems with innovation and insight.

 

Low Credit (65-69%): Competent Work. Project work displays some evidence of initiative in research and production, a general competency in the fundamental application of creative concept and materials relevant to the project and skills in most areas, receptive to critical feedback and a willingness to go beyond mere replication of content knowledge to show extended understanding of key ideas. Exhibits a commitment to work, the ability to set reasonably clear and achievable objectives with a moderate degree of success and originality. Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of certain key concepts and practices and a genuine attempt to engage critically and creatively with the project. Some evidence of independent self-assessment.

 

High Pass (60-64%): Work has considerable merit. Project work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of creative concepts, material and technical proficiency relevant to the project, responds to critical feedback in fairly direct translation. Exhibits a satisfactory level of commitment, the ability to set reasonable objectives and meet more than basic course requirements with acceptable achievement. Demonstrates an understanding of relevant concepts and practices within a fairly defined context and displays a genuine effort to engage critically and creatively with the project. Some evidence of independent self-assessment.

 

Medium Pass (55-59%): A satisfactory level of achievement. Project work contains evidence of a reasonably accurate command of creative concepts, material and technical proficiency relevant to the project, responds to critical feedback inconsistently and in fairly direct translation. Exhibits an adequate level of commitment, the ability to set reasonable objectives and meet more than basic course requirements with limited achievement. Demonstrates an understanding of relevant concepts and practices within a defined context, attempts to present some conceptual relevance to the project brief. Some evidence of independent self-assessment.

 

Low Pass (50-54%): An acceptable standard. Project work contains evidence of adequate but inconsistent command of creative concepts, material and technical proficiency relevant to the project, occasionally responds to critical feedback and in fairly direct translation. Exhibits a passable level of commitment, the ability to work out objectives and meet the basic requirements of the course. Demonstrates some understanding of relevant concepts with little ability to contextualize ideas and form relevant arguments. Little evidence of independent self-assessment.

 

Fail (Below 50%): Work not of an acceptable standard. Project work displays clear deficiencies in use of creative concepts, material and technical skills relevant to the project, little or no response to critical feedback, a lack of engagement with the course, fails to demonstrate any understanding of conceptual ideas and practices, does not satisfy most or all of the basic course requirements. Deficiencies clearly outweigh accomplishments.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to understanding creativity with some in class creativity exercises Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Creative processes – a series of in-class skill building workshops - experiencing and generating creativity Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Creative reflection - small group activities Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Presentations of final projects Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold. If a unit of study has a participation mark, your attendance may influence this mark.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Additional requirements from Sydney College of the Arts

  • Students must attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for this unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator.
  • All assignments are compulsory and must be attempted. 
  • You must attend scheduled assessments to be eligible to pass. Non-attendance at assessment on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no prescribed readings for this unit.

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. evaluate and choose the appropriate creative tools and creative problem solving skills to design your self directed project
  • LO2. apply a range of creative approaches and processes to develop and realise your self-directed project
  • LO3. develop understanding and evaluations of your own creative capacity
  • LO4. understand the value and impacts of multiple discipline perspectives on creative outcomes
  • LO5. generate responses that are situated, adjusting creatively to your environment in time and space.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In Semester 1 2021, we had 72 students across the online and in person classes last semester. Here is some of their feedback. We are listening: We are optimising the first project feedback timing and grading so that you can make the most of this for your final project. We will work to find a way to make this a 6cp unit. Most of the suggestions to improve focused on this topic. What was the student experience? What have been the best aspects of this unit of study? Having the freedom to undertake a creative project of your choice and being pushed to complete it within a relatively short timeframe, resulting in a work that is rough and imperfect which allows you to learn from the process and the outcome. The teacher worked hard to make everyone feel heard and understand, as well as establish connections we may not have thought of between our work and others This unit of study has made me challenged my critical thinking skill and how to be innovative Discovering the flexibility of creativity was, by far, one of the best aspects of this unit of study. Through this unit of study, I have discovered how creativity can be applied to a multiplicity of fields, developing a more holistic understanding of what creativity is and how it is used. Creativity Very open and students can choose whatever pathway they imagine for the assessment tasks Group feedback on assessments Lesson style Able to develop my personal creative project There are so many excellent aspects of the 'Understanding Creativity' unit of study, one of which is the teacher herself. She is the perfect person to lead a class and engage students regarding understanding creativity. Another aspect is the fact that the learning environment was so welcoming, engaging, had great morale, and we were all encouraged to have a great camaraderie which allowed us to take more chances and to be our most creative selves. The fact that students came from so many different academic backgrounds (in terms of specialty, years of university, strengths/weaknesses etc) but could still collaborate effectively and work together to achieve numerous creative outcomes of high quality, is amazing, and its thanks to this course. I don't think I’ve had a unit of study where this has worked so well. Another aspect is that this unit of study allows students to tap into the talents and passions related and unrelated to their degree and/or majors. We can dedicate time to something that interests us and as evidenced by the creative outcomes we developed, this is a great way for students to excel and relearn their love to learn. Also, you get to learn so many skills and ways of thinking that are creative-centered but are fully applicable to all academic and non-academic mindsets, projects, and solutions. These are only a few reasons. I could go on forever about all the best aspects of this unit of study. 'Understanding Creativity' is an extraordinary unit of study, one of the best this school offers, and I hope that more people get to participate in it. Like I said, it gets students to relearn their love of learning. It is an asset to this university.

This semester the Understanding Creativity Unit offers an online-only and an in-person on-campus unit – please note that this might change due to the current covid situation.

Dont worry if this happens ☺️

We have been very successful at running the OLE online for several years now.

We have optimised this unit for online learning building on the face-to-face experience. 

In-class exercises and group discussions are on Zoom, often worked in small groups. 

We aim for you to be as comfortable contributing as often possible.

We start slowly building rapport until everyone is comfortable interacting.

We use student chat and project workgroups in class or on Zoom breakouts and use other collab tools such as Padlet and chat tools.

The Zoom Chat is a spell free zone  – words and phrases are encouraged – as well as full sentences ( ;

Please note movement between modes is not possible, as you are enrolled under specific modes.

Please remember to practice safe covid mindful interaction when in the classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.