COBE 200: Engaging Innovation
Prerequisites: None
Credit Hours: (1)
Through a variety of non-typical classroom activities, this course will expose students
to the role and value of creativity and innovation as they are experienced in all
business disciplines and at all stages of the innovation process. The goals are to
provide students with a contemporary and holistic view of what business looks like
today, with a focus on value creation not just getting rich.
Detailed Description of Course
Innovation Evenings will consist of once weekly evening meetings approximately 2 hours
length. A typical semester might include two sessions of each of the following activities:
1) Innovation skill development seminars (e.g. 3D printers, Illustrator, Coding)
2) Presentations of scholarly research on creativity and innovation from college-wide
faculty
3) Presentations from industry guest speakers in the area of creativity and innovation
4) Innovation related move screenings (e.g. Objectified, The Pixar Story, Most
Likely to Succeed)
5) Hands on innovation challenges that apply the four primary steps of design
thinking
6) Participation in games and "low ropes" activities that require team-based divergent
thinking
7) Visits to local innovation related venues (e.g. The Co-Lab in Roanoke, Virginia
Tech ICAT)
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Students will be exposed to a side of innovation and creativity that is not typically
seen in the classroom. Each weekly session will be hosted by a different office (e.g.
the Center for Innovation and Analytics), an external guest speaker or a Radford University
faculty member, together with the organizing instructor(s). Conduct will vary depending
on the activity. For example, a film viewing will be followed by group discussion
to debrief and reinforce learning.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1) Identify processes that enhance innovation competencies
a. Recognize and explain the role and value of innovation in the local and
global economy;
b. Recognize the skills and mindsets shared by successful innovators;
2) Apply innovation process tools to actual innovation challenges
a. Find novel innovation opportunities that present themselves in everyday
life;
b. Identify and administer appropriate processes and tools to help solve innovation
problems;
3) Derive recommended courses of action based on innovative solutions
a. Identify and design appropriate processes to test, evaluate, and refine
innovation solutions;
b. Identify how to move from an idea to a business model.
Assessment Measures
Assessment will be based upon the extent to which the student attends and participates
in the activities and achieves the stated goals and objectives. Students will be required
to keep a reflection journal of the course of the semester. Preparation before each
evening event will depend on the event but may include watching a TED talk by the
speaker or reading a scholarly article beforehand and reflecting on their experience
in the journal.
Other Course Information
We believe this hands-on approach to teaching innovation will help to bring business
to life in ways that are fresh, exciting and relevant and will challenge any business
stereotypes they might harbor.
Review and Approval
March 1, 2018