57216 Creativity and Innovation in Communication
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04385 Master of Strategic Communication OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C06129 Graduate Diploma Strategic Communication
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
Students are introduced to high-level creative and conceptual thinking, invention, and innovation. They think strategically using varied, multi-disciplinary theoretical lenses to solve communication problems. Students are encouraged to engage with complexity in problem-solving and to undertake processes of discovery and exploration to generate solutions to everyday and 'wicked' problems. This subject expands students' capacities to be creative practitioners and change agents in their roles as communication professionals.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Research the broader theoretical context of creative problem solving and its relevance to communication. |
|---|---|
| b. | Develop the capacity to design creative communication problem solving strategies. |
| c. | Develop a reflective practice for understanding and modelling creativity and its role in strategic communication. |
| d. | Apply a range of appropriate media, tools, techniques and methods creatively and critically to solve communication challenges. |
| e. | Design an original method for creative thinking and / or problem solving. |
| f. | Speculate on possible futures and design strategic approaches to creating positive organisational and social change. |
| g. | Pitch creative solutions successfully. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Apply an advanced body of practice-oriented knowledge and skills to develop, implement and evaluate innovative solutions to real-world communication challenges with a high level of personal autonomy, leadership and accountability (1.1)
- Critically and creatively rethink and reflect on public relations, advertising and organisational change models and practices for the 21st century beyond dominant models and approaches and seek innovative approaches (2.2)
- Locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to guide their mastery of contemporary communication issues and challenges (2.3)
Teaching and learning strategies
Learning takes place in a collaborative environment as well as through independent learning activities. Multiple theoretical approaches towards creative, strategic problem solving are explored through discussions and case study analysis in classes and online. This subject is enquiry-based: students conduct individual preparatory research and exploration, which form the basis for collaborative discovery and interactive learning activities in class. Assessments in this subject evaluate students’ evolving conceptual and creative understanding through authentic tasks that are relevant across creative industries. Students receive formative feedback continually through class activities.
Content (topics)
This subject explores theoretical and practical applications of creative problem solving and innovation in the context of strategic communication. Using a range of interdisciplinary tools, it creates a bricolage of problem-solving techniques based on the principle of equifinality. Students learn how to examine, challenge, and solve every day and ‘wicked’ problems from the perspective of systemic barriers and opportunities, cultural contexts, social and cognitive psychology, and solution-centered communication theory, encompassing the visual and the verbal.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Exploring a ‘Wicked’ Problem
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d and g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 45% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1500 words (and up to 5 visuals) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Creative Portfolio of ‘Wicked’ Strategies
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d, e and g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 55% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2500 words | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Submission of assessment tasks
In this subject assessment tasks are cumulative so that each task builds understanding and/or skills, informed by formative feedback. Consequently, all assessments must be submitted in order for students to receive feedback. Students who do not submit all assessments will not pass the subject.
Attendance
Attendance at classes is essential in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. An attendance roll will be taken at each class. Where possible, students should advise the tutor in a timely manner if they are unable to attend. Students who have more than two absences from class will be refused final assessment (see Rule 3.8).