Keuka College
Bachelor of Science in Management Science
Syllabus
INS 301A Creativity
Professor: Williams
Spring Semester 2014
Wenzhou University
All curriculum material protected by U.S. copyright laws. Unauthorized sale or reproduction
is strictly prohibited. Keuka College  2013
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Keuka College
INS 301A Creativity
Professor:
Dennis Williams
Day Time Telephone:
15659287562
Evenings:
E-Mail Address:
dennisnchina@yahoo.com
Instructor Availability/Office Hours: You will be able to speak with the instructor before
and following each class session. Appointments for additional meeting times may be made
following each class session.
Course Credits: 3 credits
Course Prerequisites: Sophomore Level
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
INS301A Creativity follows a problem-based learning approach to help students use critical
thinking and creativity to examine issues in the business world. This course focuses on three
core areas: (a) the elements of creativity, (b) creative problem solving, and (c) innovation for
entrepreneurship and business growth. Students will develop their own creative
competencies through a combination of case analyses and kinesthetic activities designed to
encourage innovative solutions to modern business problems.
TEXTBOOK
No textbook is required. Other required materials are specified in the course schedule.
USEFUL WEBSITES
You must know how to access the Keuka College library resources (using your Keuka
username and password).
Introduction to the library for international students:
http://libguides.keuka.edu/international
http://libguides.keuka.edu/cat.php?cid=35791
Business and Management library guides:
http://libguides.keuka.edu/business
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RESOURCE ARTICLES
Adams, K. (2006). The sources of innovation and creativity. National Center on Education
and the Economy. http://www.skillscommission.org/wpcontent/uploads/2010/05/SourcesInnovationCreativity.pdf
Brown, A. S. (Sep 2007). The creative impulse. Mechanical Engineering Design, 129(9), 2426, 28-29. (ProQuest Document ID: 1337240361).
Catling, T. (Oct/Nov 2007). Creative thinking a truly renewable energy resource. The British
Journal of Administrative Management, 22-23. (ProQuest Document ID:
1381698861).
Costello, B. (May 1999). Make money by thinking the unthinkable. The Futurist, 33(5), 3034. (ProQuest Document ID: 40719329)
Hussey, D. (Jun/Jul 2001). Creative strategic thinking and the analytical process: Critical
factors for strategic success. Strategic Change, 10(4), 201-213. (ProQuest Document
ID: 353563591).
Lewis, C. (Oct/Nov 2004). Being creative in the workplace. The British Journal of
Administrative Management, 24-25. (ProQuest Document ID: 778481501).
McFadzean, E. (1999). Encouraging creative thinking. Leadership and Organization Journal,
20(7), 374-383. (ProQuest Document ID: 117542923).
McFadzean, E. (Aug 2001). Critical factors for enhancing creativity. Strategic Change, 10(5),
267-283. (ProQuest Document ID: 353563541).
Michalko, M. (May/Jun 2000). Four steps toward creative thinking. The Futurist, 34(3), 1821. (ProQuest Document ID: 52838810).
Ringland, G. (2008). Innovations: Scenarios of alternative futures can discover new
opportunities for creativity. Strategy and Leadership, 36(5), 22-27. (ProQuest
Document ID: 1554388381).
Tanner, D. (Apr 2003). Creativity management – roadmap to building a more innovative
organization. Strategic Direction, 19(4), 2-3. (ProQuest Document ID: 326388291).
Thompson, J. L. (2004). Innovation through people. Management Decision, 42(9), 1082-1094.
(ProQuest Document ID: 795848091).
RESOURCE WEBSITES
Glencoe.com. Entrepreneurship creative thinking activities
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/busadmin/entre/teacher/creative/index.htm
Mycoted.com. Creativity activities http://www.mycoted.com/Category:Puzzles
Iowa State University. Defining creativity. Retrieved from
http://www.celt.iastate.edu/creativity/defining.html
Tidd, J. & Bisssant, J. (2008) Managing Innovation Companion Website.
http://www.managing-innovation.com/index.php
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Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. (n.d.). Five takes on creative leadership.
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/special_section.cfm?specialID=31
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND ASSESSMENT MEASURES
Following successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Student learning objectives
1. Describe the elements in the creative process and their application in business
problem-solving scenarios
2. Apply techniques for developing creativity skills
3. Identify the creative characteristics of successfully innovative organizations
4. Assess the influence of creativity and innovation on organizational change
5. Examine the role of technology in creative business solutions
6. Evaluate creative resources necessary for effective innovation within the
organization
7. Explain the relationship between creativity and successful leadership behavior
Instructor availability:
You will be able to speak with the instructor before and following each class session. Appointments
for additional meeting times may be made following each class session.
Please feel free to email the instructor any questions you may have about assignments. However,
please use the reply format and attach all communications as inline text, rather than separate
attachments, so that your email message does not require me to search for previous messages to see
what I said before, and download attachments. Also, please identify yourself by your name in pinyin
and your class letter, A,B,C,D,E or F in the subject line of any email you send to me. If you fail to
follow these procedures, you may not receive an email response from me.
I prefer if you call me Mr. Williams. I expect you to be on time. (See Attendance Policy.) If you
enter the classroom late, take a seat quietly at the rear of the room and do not disturb the rest of the
class. If you must leave early or for illness, likewise, please leave as quietly as possible. If you have
a complaint or a suggestion about the class, please be courteous and kind by waiting to speak to me
privately after-class about it. Likewise, I will also try to address my complaints about your classroom
behaviors (except for those that disrupt the class) until after the class when we can speak privately.
Since I come from America where students seldom speak in class to each other while the professor is
talking, please speak lowly—perhaps whispering—when I am lecturing.
COURSE Elements and Grading:
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1. Daily Class participation (10%)
Students may earn, or lose, points during each class session. Asking good
questions (questions other students may well be wanting to ask,) providing insightful
answers to the instructor’s questions, aiding the instructor communicate to
classmates, translating materials to Chinese, are some ways students can earn
participation points. Being late, talking loudly, sleeping in class, or other poor
professional behaviors may result in losing participation points. The roll be be taken
in writing daily and students who are not present and have not obtained permission
to be absent, will earn a “-1” for the day’s participation grade.
2. Case Studies (30%):
Case study analyses and other written assignments will be collected at the beginning
of classes when these are due. Late work will not be accepted past the first five
minutes of class without prior permission of the instructor.
3. Reflection Papers (30%): Students will write one-page reflection papers about
their insights into their own creative processes, or the meanings to them of the
diagnostic tests given in the class to help them discover more about themselves.
5. Individual/Team/Class Project – Development of a Creative Arts Exhibit, or
some other project (such as actually implementing a new online site) or similar
project calling for students to create something of value for an identified
community (30%):
Students may choose to work by themselves, work with one, two, or three other
students, or with the entire class to create something of value to a community—for
example, the Wenzhou University campus community.
More details concerning this assignment will come to you later as I learn more about
your strengths, weaknesses and needs as students in a business program.
WEIGHTING OF ASSIGNMENTS
POINT
VALUE
Class Participation
10%
Case studies/other assignments
30%
Reflection Papers (three @ 10% each)
30%
Team Project
30%
5
Total
100%
Outline of the Course
A schedule of class activities is premature at this time, since I do not know students, their
needs, strengths, etc. Also, we will have such a short time to complete this class , so I feel
the need for us to be flexible is more important than giving students a map of the course now,
that we likely will not follow later. Also, one tenet of creativity is being flexible and not so
rigidly bound by schedules or rubrics.
However, it is also true, in the business world
especially, that all creative people work within the limits of their art-form or craft, following
ethical guidelines, and requiring the support of the marketplace that provides money for
creative people to do their thing.
KEUKA COLLEGE COURSE GRADING POLICY
QUALITY
POINTS
POINTS
4.00
93-100
A-
3.67
90 - 92
B+
3.33
87 - 89
3.00
83 - 86
B-
2.67
80 - 82
C+
2.33
77 - 79
2.00
73 - 76
C-
1.67
70 - 72
D+
1.33
67 - 69
1.00
63 - 66
0.67
60 - 62
0
0-59
A
B
SUPERIOR
COMMENDABL
E
C
SATISFACTOR
Y
D
DEFICIENT
DF
FAILING
Outstanding work not completed in 30 days will result in a grade
of “F.”
Please note: You must have a grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 in order to graduate
from Keuka College. If you do not have a GPA of 2.0 you will not get a Keuka degree.
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Expectations
English Language Skills
This course and the Business Management degree program are focused on increasing English
proficiency as well as business management skills.
Students need to demonstrate strong English language skills to succeed in this course, it is
suggested that students read any assigned readings carefully prior to class discussions.
Here is one method:
1. First, print out the readings so there is a copy of the reading to work with.
2. Then, using a dictionary, look up and write out (on the copy) the Chinese definitions of
key words in the assignment.
3. Work through the assignment before class, so there is a general understanding of what
the reading is about.
4. Ask the instructor about phrases or statements in the assignment that still are difficult to
understand.
5. Write down what the instructor says about the reading assignment on the sides, bottom,
or on the back of the copy of the reading assignment. This will provide a good study
guide for any exam on this material.
IT IS THE STUDENT’S JOB TO ASK QUESTIONS! The instructor cannot guess what a
student does not understand. The instructor expects and appreciates students’ questions.
Students who ask the most questions in class often get the highest grades.
COURSE ATTENDANCE and PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR:
Attendance is mandatory. Being on time and prepared to do your job is a key business
behavior. This is a business course and so it requires a business-like approach to attendance,
fulfilling assignments, meeting deadlines, conducting respectful and professional
conversations, and handing in homework.
Attendance
Students need to be in their seats ready to answer the roll call by the beginning of class. Each
class in a business program is like a business meeting.

Attendance will be taken during each session.

Students who miss 4 hours of instruction in a course may have their grade lowered by
one letter grade. For example, an A grade will be lowered to a B.

Students who miss an additional 4 hours of instruction may have their grade lowered
another full grade. For example, a B grade will be lowered to a C.
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
Students who miss 12 or more hours of instruction will fail the course.
Description of Assignments
There will be a written, graded assignment due each day of this course. Sometimes, these
assignments will be team-based, other times, they will be individual assignments. If you are
not in class, you will receive a zero for both the daily assignment and class participation for
that day. Make-up work is not permitted.
Homework
Unless otherwise noted, homework is due at the beginning of class when the instructor calls
for it to be turned in. Late homework is not acceptable. The instructor may penalize late
homework or may refuse to accept late assignments.
Format for Assignments:
All submitted papers should be typed (word processor) and include in the top left hand corner
of the first page:




your name (in Chinese and English)
your student ID number
course title (INS 301)
assignment title
 date
 professor's name
Assignments should be:
 proof read for correct spelling and grammar
 printed sufficiently dark so they can be read easily and exhibit a look of
professionalism.
Papers will be returned to students ungraded if these guidelines are not followed.
Typed papers :
 use A4 (or similar) unlined white paper
 include title page
 number pages
 double spaced
 use 12 point font
Please Note: Assignments turned in after the last day of class will not be accepted without
prior arrangement.
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Homework assignments are to be completed in your own words. (See section on
“Academic Honesty” below.)
Class Participation
The instructor expects students to focus on in-class exercises and lectures and make an effort
to understand the point of the lecture or exercise. If the instructor finds students sleeping in
class, chatting loudly with classmates, reading books from other classes, or spending class
time to do something other than participating actively in what is planned for the class that day,
the instructor may deduct points from the student’s final grade and/or expel the student from
the class.
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is very important to Keuka College. All written work must meet the
standards of work for students at Keuka College, set by the faculty. Plagiarism (the use of
another’s material without citation or reference) will not be tolerated.
Cheating on exams or copying parts of other’s assignments will result in a ‘0’ grade for that
assignment for all parties involved. That means both the person who copies from another
student and the person who allows their work to be copied may receive a ‘0’ grade.
Cheating on a final exam or final project can result in a student receiving an “F” for the
course. The instructor may also officially notify the university that students were caught
cheating and identify the names of the cheaters.
Examples of cheating are:








Having a tutor or friend complete all or a portion of an assignment
Having any other person make revisions to a student’s final work
Copying work submitted by another student
Using information from online information services without proper citation
Completing a test with answers other than the student’s own
Using a cell phone to receive text answers during an exam
Using a cell phone to text a friend about the questions on an exam
Writing information on a desk to use in an exam




Using an electronic translator to store information for an exam
Bringing notes of any sort into an exam unless authorized by the instructor
Attempting to buy an exam
Other efforts to use other people’s work instead of one’s own work
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Appendix A
KEUKA COLLEGE VISION STATEMENT
To be renowned as a global leader in comprehensively integrating liberal arts, digital
technologies, experiential learning, and professional practice.
KEUKA COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT
To create exemplary citizens and leaders to serve the nation and the world of the 21st century.
We provide a transformational liberal arts-based education, strengthened by experiential
learning that challenges students to develop their intellectual curiosity and to realize, with
purpose and integrity, their full personal and professional potential.
STATEMENT OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Students will be able to demonstrate that they possess:
Management competencies
1.
Knowledge of the functions of accounting, marketing, finance and management in a successful
organization.
2.
The ability to apply knowledge of business concepts and functions in an integrated manner.
3.
Knowledge of the legal, social and economic environment of business.
4.
Knowledge of the global environment of business.
5.
Knowledge of the ethical obligations and social responsibilities of business.
6.
The ability to work in a group.
Decision making competencies
7.
The ability to use decision support tools.
Communication competencies
8.
The ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
INS 301A Creativity will address the following Program Outcomes: 2,5,6, 7 and 8
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