Course Syllabus
PSY 813: Leadership for Creativity and Innovation
Overview
| CATEGORY | INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisites | PSY 532 and PSY 539 |
| Delivery | Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com) |
| Dates | See the Calendar. |
| Instructor | See the Orientation module under the Modules tab. |
Description
This course examines the psychological and social factors that influence individual and group creativity, with particular emphasis on how leaders can motivate individuals and teams to develop creative ideas and produce innovative products. Over the course of the semester, students will learn about how the creative process operates within organizations, and how leaders can facilitate it. Course topics will also include challenges and barriers to organizational creativity and innovation, and ways that leaders can help to overcome them to bring about innovative change. Examples are used to deepen understanding of course topics, and scenarios are used to encourage critical thinking, most importantly problem solving (i.e., application of course topics to solve organizational problems involving creativity and innovation).
Objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Solve hypothetical organizational problems by applying modern creative process approaches.
- Diagnose barriers to creativity and innovation in real-world organizations and identify potential routes to improving creative performance.
- Discuss how different approaches to leadership can enhance creativity and innovation in organizations.
- Apply creativity processes and leadership competencies to facilitate performance at work and increase your marketability and career success.
Competencies
The assignments in this course are designed to provide opportunities to practice and demonstrate leadership competencies.
| ASSIGNMENT | COMPETENCIES |
|---|---|
| Discussions | • Communication • Critical Thinking |
| Unit 01 Assignment: Business Analysis |
• Critical Thinking • Innovation |
| Unit 02 Assignment: Team Experience Analysis |
• Critical Thinking • Career Drive |
| Innovative Proposal Project (IPP) Initial Project Proposal |
• Innovation • Career Drive |
| IPP Collaborations | • Communication • Teamwork • Decision Making • Agility |
| IPP Proposal Presentation | • Communication • Execution |
| IPP Final Paper | • Communication • Critical Thinking • Innovation |
| IPP Project Reflection Paper | • Career Drive |
Organization
This course is made up of 14 lessons divided into 4 units.
For a typical unit, you will complete the following assignments:
- Complete work toward your Innovative Proposal Project.
- Complete a unit assignment. (Units 01 and 02)
For a typical lesson, you will complete the following activities and assignments:
- Explore online course content.
- Read a few assigned readings.
- Participate in a discussion.
Online Learning and Attendance
This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.
Materials
Texts
There are no required texts. All readings are available on the Web or through PSU Libraries.
Library Services
Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.
Grading
Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.
Scale
| LETTER GRADE |
MINIMUM PERCENT |
MINIMUM POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| A | 93 | 311 |
| A- | 90 | 301 |
| B+ | 87 | 291 |
| B | 83 | 276 |
| B- | 80 | 266 |
| C+ | 77 | 256 |
| C | 70 | 232 |
| D | 60 | 197 |
| F | 0 | 0 |
Due Dates
All assignments are due by 9:00 AM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set a Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2891.
As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (e.g., hospitalization, jury duty, family emergency, or military service) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Notes
- To Do List: Some assignments may not appear in the To Do list under the Home tab. Use the Calendar or Syllabus to ensure that you are fully aware of assignment due dates.
- Note on Late Assignments: Late assignments will lose the point equivalent of 10 percent per calendar day, and they will not be accepted later than 10 calendar days after the due date. Given the time-sensitive, interactive nature of discussions, replies will not be accepted after a lesson ends.
Assignments
Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.
You can expect meaningful feedback on assignments within 7 days of their due date.
Method
The guidelines below apply to most assignments, but there may be exceptions. Make sure to read all assignments' directions AND rubrics in their entirety.
- Content quality: Generally speaking, there is no right or wrong answer for these assignments, but you must make your arguments/points based on theory, concepts, research, and/or factual evidence and in a clear and concise manner. This means with clear thesis statements; detailed explanations; apparent connection between theory, concepts, etc. and behaviors/decisions; and strong organization.
- Citations and references: Generally speaking, it is necessary to cite, quote, and reference ideas that you have used. Paraphrasing is preferred to quotes as that demonstrates your grasp of the ideas, but if you use someone else’s words, make sure to quote, cite, and reference. If you paraphrase, remember to cite and reference.
Note on Turnitin (Unit 01 Assignment, Unit 02 Assignment, and Innovative Proposal Draft): Please be aware that Turnitin will produce an originality report. See the Academic Integrity section for information about the potential consequences of plagiarism and other violations of academic integrity.
| ASSIGNMENT GROUP |
POINTS |
|---|---|
| Discussions | 130 |
| Unit 01 Assignment: Business Analysis | 30 |
| Unit 02 Assignment: Team Experience Analysis | 30 |
| Innovative Proposal Project (See the breakdown below.) |
145 |
| Total | 335 |
Discussions
Value: 13 x 10 PTS, 130 PTS total
The purpose of the discussion assignments is to analyze course concepts as a class on a deeper level than in the readings or to use the readings to facilitate a deeper understanding. You will interact with classmates and the instructor by sharing thoughtful discussion ideas in the discussion forums. The most important aspect of this assignment is that it is an interactive assignment. It is important to interact with your classmates as they will provide diverse perspectives on the topics at hand, which will expand your knowledge of the concepts immensely.
For every discussion, you will make an initial reply and respond to the questions in the discussion forum's directions. In addition, you will make at least one reply to a classmate or the instructor. Your initial reply is always due a few days earlier than your replies to classmates or the instructor. We encourage you to make your initial reply as early in the week as possible so that everyone else in the class has a chance to respond to your ideas. Your replies to classmates or the instructor are due at the end of the week. Reply by 9 AM ET on the dates on the Calendar.
Your discussion contributions will be graded based on the following criteria: content quality, content quantity, content timeliness, and citations and references. For more information, see the rubric in each discussion forum.
Unit 01 Assignment: Business Analysis
Value: 30 PTS
For this assignment, you will use concepts from the unit to analyze an organizational scenario. You will submit a formal paper with an analysis of the situation, and it will be written in APA format. Attach and submit a text document to the correct drop box. Use one of the following file types: docx, doc, or pdf. Also upload the document to the course section at Turnitin.
Your paper will be graded based on the following criteria: content quality, mechanics, and citations and references. For more information, see the rubric in the drop box.
Unit 02 Assignment: Team Experience Analysis
Value: 30 PTS
For this assignment, you will use concepts from the unit to analyze a team experience that you had. You will submit a formal paper with an analysis of the situation, and it will be written in APA format. Attach and submit a text document to the correct drop box. Use one of the following file types: docx, doc, or pdf. Also upload the document to the course section at Turnitin.
Your paper will be graded based on the following criteria: content quality, mechanics, and citations and references. For more information, see the rubric in the drop box.
Innovative Proposal Project (IPP)
Value: 5 PTS (Checkpoint 1: Initial Project Proposal), 10 PTS (Checkpoint 2: Proposal Outline for Peer Review), 40 PTS (20 PTS for each Collaborative Peer Review Discussion – Checkpoints 3 and 5), 15 PTS (Checkpoint 4: Proposal Presentation for Peer Review), 15 PTS (Checkpoint 6: Innovative Proposal Draft), 50 PTS (Final Innovative Proposal Project Paper), 10 PTS (Project Reflection Paper), 145 PTS total
Throughout the term, you will work through the creative process as you develop, propose, refine, defend, and reflect on a creative solution. We've established several checkpoints during the semester to ensure that you obtain helpful feedback prior to submitting the Final Innovative Proposal Project Paper. For each sub-assignment, see the directions and rubric in the drop box or discussion forum, and see the Calendar for the due date. The complete project directions can be found on the IPP Full Project Details page.
For each paper sub-assignment, attach and submit a single text document to the correct drop box. Use one of the following file types: docx, doc, or pdf. For each discussion sub-assignment, reply directly in the correct Collaborative Peer Review Discussion. For the Proposal Presentation, submission type may vary from student to student. Upload the Innovative Proposal Draft to the course section at Turnitin.
More details about the overall project and each required activity can be found in the Innovative Proposal Project (IPP) module.
Final Exam
None
University Policies
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes (see G-9: Academic Integrity).
Disability Access
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/campus-offices. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Nondiscrimination
Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office website at https://affirmativeaction.psu.edu/.
Reporting a Bias Incident
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.
Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/form/caps-contact-form to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.
Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.
TEACH Act
The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.
University Emergency Procedure
In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.
In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at http://www.psu.edu or Penn State News website at http://news.psu.edu.
To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to the PSU Alert website at https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.
Syllabus Subject to Change
The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|