7 weeks class, creativity and entrepreneurship

Creativity & Entrepreneurship CAS114 | Summer 2021 | 3 Credits

Entrepreneur: “A person capable of and committed to creating new opportunities in any context — launching a new business or initiative, driving change in an organization as an “intrapreneur,” or inspiring positive changes in society and culture through social entrepreneurism” – MSU “Creating a Culture of Entrepreneurship” report September 2014 Creativity: “What we want, what we need,

what we must have are indispensable human beings. We need original thinkers, provocateurs, and people who care... people with a genius for finding a new answer, a new connection, or a new way of getting things done” -- Seth Godin, 2010

Instructor Info Amy Haimerl Editor in residence, MSU School of Journalism Email: [email protected] | Social: @haimerlad | Phone: 917-847-3006 (emergencies) Office Hours: By appointment; email to request a time Teaching Assistant Zhao Peng, [email protected] Password The password for every video in this course is: MSUCAS114 Communication I strive to always get back to you as soon as possible, but some weeks are busier than others. Please give me 24 hours to respond to your email. If I haven’t, please feel free to send me a gentle reminder. Overview & Course Goals In this course, we’ll explore creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We’ll explore the habits and actions of innovative thinkers, the work of successful entrepreneurs, and situate creativity specifically by focusing on inquiry, observation, experimentation, and other creative processes. The overall goals of the course are to:

• engage you in thinking creatively & facilitating creativity with others; • equip you with entrepreneurial habits; • involve you in approaches to “failing forward”; • develop critical thinking and analysis skills; • build connections between creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Class Organization This class is self-paced with no required meeting times. Each Monday the week’s module will “unlock” in D2L. In there you will find your weekly readings, listenings and assignments. Your weekly assignments will be due on Sunday evenings, giving you a week to complete your work.

Use your syllabus as a general guide to the course, but D2L as the specific map. D2L is where you will find everything you need to be successful in CAS114, including all of the course materials, which will range from traditional literary reviews to podcasts to images and tweets. This course is broken down into three parts that reoccur each week: to-do list, read/listen, do. Each week you will find videos and readings that will help ground you in the research and theory, offering both big picture and skills. Then I will ask you to discuss the material and then take it and apply it in your own life, aka “do.” Each week of class has its own folder on D2L. In each folder, you will find:

1. An overview video where I talk a bit about the focus and goals of the week 2. The weekly readings and listenings 3. Your assignments

Throughout the semester, you will be part of a “creativity cluster” — that is, you will be part of a group of around 10 other students. You’ll produce reading responses and do some project work in these groups. I will post group information during Week 1 of class. If you do not find yourself listed in a group, please email me so that I can add you to a group. Because this class is self-directed, it is easy to get behind. I encourage you to block off chunks of time each week to devote to class so you don’t put everything off until the last minute. I also encourage you to take time every Monday to look at the week’s materials and plan ahead. Do not wait until Sunday morning to start! Often your assignments will require you to leave your house and go do something. WEEKLY Schedule – At a glance

WEEK TOPIC FOCUS

1 (5.17)

The Creative Entrepreneur Let’s get grounded in the ideas so we can grow!

2 (5.24)

The Creative Process: Inspiration Is inspiration something you can train your mind to see or is it a lightning bolt?

3 (5.31)

Finding Entrepreneurial Ideas Where do we find entrepreneurial ideas?

4 (6.7)

Creativity in Your Work Environment Different work environments appeal to different people. Finding the right space & culture.

5 (6.14)

Ideas are Not Enough. Execute You have to get out there and DO!

6 (6.21)

Brainstorming How to Have a Hard Conversation

7 (6.28)

Failure & Resilience Sometimes we fail. That’s ok. It’s part of the process.

Assignments Each week begins on a Monday, which is when the readings and listenings become available on D2L. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., you are responsible for completing the primary assignments:

✪ Labs that implement the week’s readings ✪ Quizes that show me you’ve read the material ✪ Short discussion posts about an aspect of the readings

In addition, there is a “Creativity Quest” that you will embark on this semester.

✪ Creativity Quest: Identify the most entrepreneurial person in your town and interview them about their most important tips for budding entrepreneurs. Details in D2L. Due 6/13 at 11:59 p.m.

That may sound like a lot, but do not fear! These assignments are designed to be fun and get you thinking -- NOT require hours of your time. That said, this is still a three-credit course. So please be prepared to spend the equivalent of your classroom time (~3 hours) reading/listening and another three to four hours per week on assignments. DEADLINES & LATE WORK All work in this class is set up on a weekly schedule. It must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday evenings. I do not accept late work. Why? Because this is an entrepreneurship course, you need to be prepared to work in an entrepreneurial world. If you just fail to deliver for a client, you get fired. If you aren’t prepared for the meeting, you definitely don’t get funding. If you forget to turn in a CAS114 assignment, you get 0 credit. If you find yourself running into problems, reach out to me *before* the deadline and we will try to make arrangements. Why? Because if you talk to a client in advance about potential problems, they are more likely to work with you. If you just leave them in a lurch, they fire you and then badmouth you all over town. The same goes with a boss. If you can learn to plan ahead, raise your hand when you foresee problems and propose solutions, that will go a long way toward helping you be successful in life.

** Class readings and assignment details are available in D2L. ** Grading SCALE Weekly Discussion Posts Pass/Fail 25% 93 – 100% 4.0 Weekly Labs Graded 30% 87 – 92% 3.5 Quizzes Graded 25% 80 – 86% 3.0 Quest 1 Graded 20% 75 – 79% 2.5 Total 100% 70 – 74% 2.0 65 – 69% 1.5 60 – 64% 1.0 Rubric for graded assignments In assessing students' work, the instructor will focus on the following factors applicable to all assignments:

o Quality and Shine: Has the assignment been executed with skill and subtlety, and has it been edited well and polished?

o Organization and Presentation: Is the required material presented clearly and in a professional manner suitable for an audience?

o Effort and Application: Has the work been prepared with careful thought and attention to detail, and does it take appropriate advantage of the relevant tools?

o Punctuality and Completeness: Is it on time and complete, and does it fulfill the assignment? Are all required elements included in the submission?

o Creativity and Thoughtfulness: Has the student endeavored to go beyond what’s already been done to add an element of originality or a distinctive creative touch?

Scale: 0 = did not complete

1 = needs significant improvement 3 = acceptable 5 = excellent

In assessing students' work, the instructor will focus on the following factors applicable to all assignments:

o Quality and Shine: Has the assignment been executed with skill and subtlety, and has it been

edited well and polished? o Organization and Presentation: Is the required material presented clearly and in a professional

manner suitable for an audience? o Effort and Application: Has the work been prepared with careful thought and attention to detail,

and does it take appropriate advantage of the relevant tools? o Punctuality and Completeness: Is it on time and complete, and does it fulfill the assignment? Are

all required elements included in the submission? o Creativity and Thoughtfulness: Has the student endeavored to go beyond what’s already been

done to add an element of originality or a distinctive creative touch? Honors Options & EsHIP Experiences CAS114 is an excellent opportunity for you to complete either your Honors Option or your Entrepreneurship Experience. Because this is a class on entrepreneurship, I ask that students develop their own projects. To have me consider it, please email me your idea no later than Week Seven for Fall and Spring terms or Week Three for summer term. I will then approve your proposal or ask for revisions. Once we have agreed upon a project, you will file an application for the ESHIP Experience in the online system. You have until the last day of classes to complete your project and turn it in. For ESHIP Minors: I am happy to oversee the Two-Day Startup as one of your Experiences. Please email me and let me know that you plan to do the Experience before the weekend occurs. Be sure to fill out the online application for an ESHIP Experience, and then send me your reflection paper when the weekend is complete. Course changes Entrepreneurship is all about adapting and change. This is about learning to be resilient. So be ready because class assignments and lectures could change if the situation warrants. We might need to move the schedule around a bit, or rethink a certain assignment, but we’ll give you notice. Academic honesty The work you submit must be produced originally for this class and cannot be used for another course in the same semester without my permission. You should also credit others’ contributions to your work. You should not claim, as your own, work (or writing) that is not your own (to do so is considered plagiarism). It is perfectly appropriate for you to borrow graphics, to quote passages, and to use ideas from others. However, when you do so, follow appropriate credit-giving or citation conventions. University information about academic honesty is included in the Spartan Life: Student Handbook and Resource Guide. ADA To receive any accommodation for any disability, students must first register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. The RCPD will request appropriate documentation and make a determination regarding the nature of the accommodation to which a student is entitled. MENTAL HEALTH The RCPD will then give the student a “visa” that specifies the kind of accommodation that may be provided. It is then the responsibility of the student seeking accommodation to present the visa to his/her instructor. College students often experience issues that may interfere with academic success such as academic stress, sleep problems, juggling responsibilities, life events, relationship concerns, or feelings of anxiety, hopelessness,

or depression. If you or a friend is struggling, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Helpful, effective resources are available on campus, and most are at no-charge.

• If you are struggling with this class, please contact me by email at [email protected] so we can develop a plan.

• Meet with your academic advisor if you are struggling in multiple classes, unsure whether you are making the most of your time at MSU, or unsure what academic resources are available at MSU.

• Visit https://caps.msu.edu for online health assessments, hours, and additional information. • Call CAPS at (517) 355-8270 any time, day or night. • 24-Hour MSU Sexual Assault Crisis Line (517) 372-6666 or visit https://centerforsurvivors.msu.edu/

TOLERANCE & CIVILITY MSU strives to build an academic community with living and learning environments that expects tolerance of viewpoints and civility toward others, whether at public forums, athletic events, in residential communities, classrooms or laboratories. We call upon all who participate in university events to promote tolerance and civil behavior and to hold themselves to high standards that reflect the university’s commitment to respect viewpoints that may be different from their own. Only by respecting individuals with diverse perspectives and ideas can we build an environment of civility that is conducive to advancing knowledge and transforming lives.