Syllabus

Title
2455 Creativity and Communication at Work
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Almut Köster, M.A.,Ph.D.
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/02/24 to 09/27/24
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
This class is only offered in winter semesters.
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Wednesday 10/23/24 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM D2.0.038
Wednesday 10/30/24 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM D2.0.392
Wednesday 11/06/24 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM EA.5.034
Wednesday 11/13/24 12:30 PM - 03:00 PM D2.0.342 Teacher Training Raum
Wednesday 11/20/24 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM TC.3.11
Wednesday 11/27/24 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM D2.0.382
Wednesday 12/04/24 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM D3.0.218
Monday 12/09/24 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM TC.4.04
Wednesday 12/11/24 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM D5.1.003
Contents

The course explores language and communication in creativity at work, addressing the following questions:

  • What role does communication play in creativity?
  • What is the relationship between linguistic creativity and workplace creativity?
  • What makes groups creative and what role does communication play in group creativity?
  • How can creativity in organisations be fostered?

The course approaches the topic of creativity from two perspectives: creativity in communication and creativity in organisations, and proposes a model that combines both perspectives. Using this model, students will explore communication and creativity at work through a range of case studies covering the following topic areas:

  • Creativity and problem-solving
  • Creativity, innovation and constraints
  • Creativity and leadership
  • Creativity and professional practice
  • “Problematic” creativity

Case studies will include a range of different workplaces and organisational settings, such as corporate settings, start-ups and the service sector, for example care homes for the elderly. These case studies show that creativity is different in each community of practice and that a range of factors and constraints can promote or hinder or creativity.

While creativity is generally seen as positive, it can also be problematic, as it always involves some kind of change, which may not always be beneficial for everyone it affects. The course will also address this “darker” aspect of creativity.

Finally, the course will also look at practical applications and consider how organisations can boost creativity and manage it effectively.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to

1) understand the ways in which language and communication can contribute to creativity in organisations, particularly in relation to problem-solving and professional practice.

2) describe and critically discuss, with reference to relevant theories and academic literature, organisational and linguistic creativity in different organisational and professional settings, particularly the role played by constraints, leadership and ‘problematic creativity’,

3) successfully apply a range of methods to critically analyse communication and creativity in organisations.

Attendance requirements

Attendance is a requirement to pass the course. In exceptional cases, you may miss one (1) session.

Teaching/learning method(s)

The sessions will consist of a combination of lecture-style input combined with class discussion, group work and group presentation.

Assessment

Group Project presented orally (40%)

Written Project Report (40%)

Participation points (20%)

Please note that the work you submit must be your own work. It must comply with WU policies regarding plagiarism, cheating and collusion,

and it may be subject to potential plagiarism checks. Using ChatGPT, Bard, or other AI-generated content is prohibited.

Please note that the work you submit must be your own work, it has to comply with WU policies regarding plagiarism, cheating and collusion, and it may be subject to potential plagiarism checks. Using ChatGPT, Bard, or other AI-generated content is prohibited.

Readings

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1
  1. Introduction to communication and creativity at work
    • What is creativity?
    • Creativity in organisations
    •  Language and creativity
  2. Models and methods for exploring creativity at work
    • What is the relationship between linguistic creativity and workplace creativity?
    • What methods can be used to study creativity in the workplace?
  3. Creativity and problem-solving
    • Problem-solving and group creativity
    • The role of language and communication in problem-solving
  4. Creativity and professional practice: Case study of a care home
    • Creativity and constraints: being creative in a “non-creative” setting
  5. Creativity and professional practice: Case study of a start-up
  • Creativity and innovation
  • The role of leadership in organisational creativity
  1. Problematic creativity
    • Is creativity always positive? The case of stereotypes, conflict and humour
  2. Student Presentations
Last edited: 2024-09-25



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