Unit 1. Introduction to Course

Purpose This unit will provide an overview of the course assignments and activities and an introduction to your instructor and to the guest experts you will encounter in the course. This unit will also introduce working definitions of “creativity” and “innovation,” review what we know about creativity from past research, and introduce the Innovator’s DNA framework, a key organizing principle for the course.

Objectives Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to: ● Explain the rationale and purpose of the course. ● Understand the guidelines and expectations for all assignments. ● Identify and dispel common myths about what it takes to be creative. ● Apply working definitions of creativity and innovation. ● Identify and explain the basic components of the Innovator’s DNA framework.

Required Readings and Viewings Dyer, J., Gregersen, H., & Christensen, C. (2011). Innovator’s DNA: Mastering the five skills of disruptive innovators. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Sawyer, R. (2012). How to be more creative. In Explaining creativity: The science of human innovation (2nd ed., Chapter 22). London: Oxford

University Press. Videos
“Course Introduction” “Overview of Course Concepts” “Guest Tasks View the “Overview” videos on pages 1.3 – 1.9 (total approx. 68 minutes). View the video “Guest Innovators on Why Creativity?” Review the syllabus, Assignment Guidelines, Blackboard pages, and all other materials. Complete Required Readings and Viewings. Attend your live class session at the scheduled time.