Disney Creativity and Innovation Course

Contact: College Program Education

Suite #703, Vista Way Tel: (407) 827-1244
P.O. Box 10000 Fax: (407) 560-8899
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Disney Creativity And Innovation: Gaining the Edge Course (44 contact hours)

Credit Recommendation: This course is currently in development and has not yet been reviewed by the
American Council on Education.

The Disney Creativity and Innovation: Gaining the Edge Course combines theory and experiential assignments
to introduce students to the main concepts of creativity and innovation. It will explore their crucial importance to
individuals, organizations, and the entrepreneurial process. Students will learn various tools to promote
creativity within themselves and others, processes to increase innovation, how to contribute to a creative team,
how to manage creativity, and how to establish a culture of creativity within an organization. As a result,
students should have greater understanding of and appreciation for the creative/innovative processes and be
better able to harness and direct those forces for themselves and others. This course prepares students to
contribute in a unique and productive way to today’s entrepreneurial and organizational demands.

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the students should be able to:
• Differentiate between the creative person, process, product and environment.
• Explain the key aspects of the innovative process.
• Define the aspects of the “intersection” and its importance in innovation.
• Validate why creativity and innovation are important for entrepreneurial and corporate growth.
• Assess creative development and prescribe a plan of action to enhance the ability to think more
creatively and foster innovation.
• Apply four primary tools for encouraging individual and group creativity.
• List major barriers to managing creativity and innovation.
• List primary management techniques to facilitate creativity and innovation.
• Specify ways an organization can encourage and discourage a culture of creativity and innovation.
• Explain the primary dimensions of the 7 Levels of Change.

Course Requirements

Attendance:
Attendance is required for all of the Disney College Program Creativity and Innovation: Gaining the Edge
Course classes. This is an interactive course that requires each student's full involvement. All students will be
allowed two absences (student does not need to call instructor). On the third absence the student will
automatically be dropped from the course. . Any absences will affect the student’s final grade and students will
be accountable for all material and assignments covered in that class.

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Part of The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course
Required Textbook and Materials:

Textbook (to be purchased prior to class)

Smith, Rolf (2007). The Seven Levels of Change. Reading, Pennsylvania: Tapestry Press.

Materials (covered by course fee)

Team Dimensions Profile v. 3.0.1 (1995). Minneapolis, Minnesota: Inscape Publishing.

Suggested Readings:
Creativity and Innovation (Theory and Development)
Ayan, Jordan (1999). Ignite Your Creative Spark: 20 Ways to Fire Up Your Imagination: Successories Library.
Bennis, Warren and Biederman, Patricia Ward (1997). Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative
Collaboration. Los Angeles, California: Perseus Books.
Cameron, Julia (1996). The Vein of Gold A Journey to Your Creative Heart: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly (1996). Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. New York,
New York: Harper Collins.
Edward De Bono (1973). Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step: Harper Paperbacks.
DePorter, Bobbi (2000). Quantum Thinking: Creative Thinking, Planning and Problem Solving: Learning
Forum.
Disney Imagineers (2005). The Imagineering Workout. New York, New York: Disney Editions.
Dundon, Elaine (2002). The Seeds of Innovation: Cultivating the Synergy that Fosters New Ideas: Amacom.
Gardner, Howard (1993). Creating Minds: Basic Books.
Garwood, Tricia and Hajcak, Frank (1993). Expanding Creative Imagination. West Chester, Pennsylvania:
Human Potential Press.
Gelb, Michael (2000). How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: 7 Steps To Everyday Genius: Dell.
Hahn, Don (1999). Dancing Corn Dogs in the Night: Reawakening Your Creative Spirit: Disney Editions.
Amabile, T., Ferdinand, P., Leonard, D., Morley, E., Rayport, J., Silver, A. and Wetlaufer, S. (1999). Harvard
Business Review on Breakthrough Thinking. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business School Press.
Harvard Business School Press (2006). Creating Breakthrough Innovations. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard
Business School Publishing Corporation.
Johansson, Frans (2006). The Medici Effect. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business School Press.
Nadler, Gerald (1998). Breakthrough Thinking: The 7 Principles of Creative Problem Solving: Prima Lifestyles.
The Imagineers (2003). The Imagineering Way: Ideas to Ignite Your Creativity. New York, New York: Disney
Editions.
Vance, Mike & Deacon, Diane (1999). Raise the Bar: Creative Strategies to Take Your Business & Personal
Life to the Next Level: Career Press.
Von Oech, Roger (1984). A Whack on the Side of the Head. New York, New York: Harper and Row.
Von Oech, Roger (1986). A Kick in the Seat of the Pants. New York, New York: Harper and Row.
Wujec, Tom (1995). 5 Star Mind: Games and Exercises to Stimulate Your Creativity and Imagination: Main
Street Books.

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Part of The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course
Creativity and Innovation (Business Application)
Boldt, Laurence G. (1999). Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide To Creative Career Design:
Penguin (Non-Classics).
Carkhuff, Robert R. (1989). Empowering the Creative Leader in the Age of New Capitalism: Human Resource
Development Press.
Fallon, Pat (2006). Juicing the Orange: Lessons in Using Creativity as a Competitive Marketing Advantage:
Harvard Business School Press.
Gaynor, Gerard H. (2002). Innovation by Design: What it Takes to Keep Your Company on the Cutting Edge:
Amacom.
Goman, Carol Kinsey (1989). Creativity in Business: A Practical Guide for Creative Thinking: Crisp
Publications.
Gryskiewicz, Stanley S. (1999). Positive Turbulence: Developing Climates for Creativity, Innovation and
Renewal: Jossey-Bass.
Hemsath, Dave (1997). 301 Ways to Have Fun at Work: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Hesselbein, Francis, Goldsmith, Marshal and Iain Somerville (eds.) (2001). Leading for Innovation: And
Organizing for Results: Jossey-Bass.
Higgins, James (2005). 101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques: The Handbook Of New Ideas for Business:
New Management Pub. Co.
Leonard-Barton, Dorothy and Swap, Walter C. (2005). When Sparks Fly: Harnessing the Power of Group
Creativity. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business School Press.
Lundin, Stephen C. (2000). Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale: Hyperion.
McCormick, Blaine (2001). At Work with Thomas Edison: 10 Business Lessons From America’s Greatest
Innovator: Entrepreneur Press.
Pike, Robert (1998). 50 Creative Training Closers: Pfeiffer.
Schmitt, Bernd & Brown, Laura (2001). Build Your Own Garage: Blueprints and Tools to Unleash Your
Company’s Hidden Creativity: The Free Press.
Sutton, Bob I. (2002). Weird Ideas that Work: How to Build a Creative Company. New York, New York: Simon
and Schuster.

Course Assignments:
Complete specific weekly assignments which support the class content and help make a transition to the next
week’s content. Specific weekly assignments are described below:
• Due Module 3: Interviewing the Creative/Innovative individual—Select an individual you feel is (or
was) very creative and/or innovative. Read a biography/autobiography or other research of this
individual and write a one-page imaginary “interview” highlighting the nature of his or her creative
process, personal characteristics, key contributions and the overall environmental factors which
influenced this individual’s creativity. Be prepared to give a two-minute summary highlighting your
discoveries to the class. Questions should cover:
1. What about your environment enabled you to be so creative?
2. Please describe how your mind works.
3. What personal characteristics contribute to your creativity?
4. What barriers did you have to overcome?
5. What are you most proud of?
6. What is your best piece of advice in encouraging others to be more creative?
• Due Module 3: Read an article about whether Steve Jobs is innovative, creative or both. Be prepared
to discuss. (http://www/fastcompany.com/magazine/78/jobs.html) As a supplement, consider visiting the
Apple Store at the Florida Mall.

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Part of The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course
 • Due Module 5: Create a personal kaleidoscope for your successes to this point in your life. How do
you want it to look 10 years from now? How can you get there from here? How will you use creative
thinking to achieve your goal?

• Due Module 6: Create a mind map that captures your working style for something you’re currently
dealing with in your life.

• Due Module 8: Create a personal failure resume. Capture all your biggest mistakes—personal,
professional and academic. Continue to add to your failure resume. Below each failure, describe what
you learned from the associated mistakes.

• Due Module 8: Complete Rules of Engagement sheets (handwritten) from Observation Lab plus
group photos and prepare brief report out on Observation Lab and new retail concept.

• Due Module 10: List 6–12 of your own experiences regarding structural obstacles to innovation and/or
creativity in organizations with which you’ve been involved. Include family, school, church, businesses,
the military, etc. Describe the obstacles and their effects. Below each description of the obstacle, list
your recommendations for alternatives.

• One test administered week eight, covering: theories, primary elements, and the main organizational
tools of creativity and innovation

• Content and design of Creativity and Innovation: Gaining the Edge Journal (Handed in Week Ten)

• Class participation

• Final group presentation

Grading Policy:
Creativity and Innovation Journal .............................20%
Weekly Assignments ................................................25%
Exam ........................................................................20%
Group Presentation...................................................10%
Attendance ...............................................................10%
Class Participation ....................................................15%

The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course is a pass/fail course. In order to earn a passing grade, you must
receive an overall score of 70% or better.

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Part of The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course
 Assignments to be
Class Meeting Enabling Objectives Completed Prior to Class
Module 1: Nature of • Recognize characteristics of creative • None
Creativity: Person, individuals.
Process, Product and • Explain the key elements of the creative
Environment thought process.
(4 hours) • Differentiate between creative and logical
thought.
• Identify methods for increasing creative
flow.
• Recognize obstacles to creativity.
• Explain how 7 Levels of Change relates
to creativity and innovation.
Module 2: Nature of • Differentiate the key elements of Level 1 • Read Ch. 1-2 in 7 Levels of
Innovation: Making the and 2 thinking: Effective and Efficient. Change, Effectiveness and
Idea a Reality • Differentiate between creativity and Efficiency.
(4 hours) innovation. • Create journal entries
• Identify thought processes that help (continuous).
businesses innovate.
• Differentiate truths from myths about
innovation.
• Recognize the benefits of ambidextrous
innovation and cross-pollination of ideas.
• Differentiate examples of exploratory and
concentrated thinking.
• Identify key components of innovation.
• Classify innovations by innovation type.
• Apply the innovation process to social,
environmental, and political issues.

Module 3: Need for • Recognize the importance and impact of • Interview assignment:
Creativity and Innovation creativity and innovation on a variety of Interviewing the
in Organizations industries. Creative/Innovative—write
(4 hours) • Describe models of creative problem a one page imaginary
solving. “interview” and be prepared
• Apply divergent and convergent thinking to give a two-minute
to identify innovative opportunities in summary highlighting your
current world trends. discoveries to the class.
(typed)
• Read an article about
whether Steve Jobs is
innovative or creative:
http://www/fastcompany.co
m/magazine/78/jobs.html.
As a supplement, consider
visiting the Apple Store at
the Florida Mall.
• Read Ch. 3 in text,
Improving.
• Journal entries
(continuous)

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Part of The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course
 Assignments to be
Class Meeting Enabling Objectives Completed Prior to Class
Module 4: Assessing • Describe the primary elements of Level 4 • Read Ch. 4-5 in text,
Your Personal Creativity change. Transitioning to Level 4
and Ability to Innovate • List strengths and limitations of the and Level 4-Cutting.
(4 hours) primary methods of assessing creativity. • Groups select teams for
• Assess areas of creative strength and their Experiential Group
areas for growth. Work – Week 7 and Final
• Identify methods for increasing risk-taking Groups – Week 11
behavior. (completed prior to leaving
• Describe methods for dealing with failure. class).
• Identify and compare the benefits of • Journal entries
intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. (continuous)

Module 5: Enhancing • Identify key elements of Level 5 thinking: • Read Ch. 6 in text, Level 5-
Your Creative and Copying. Copying.
Innovative Abilities • Recognize how emotions influence • Create a personal
(4 hours) creative flow. kaleidoscope for your
• Explain and use a variety of creative successes to this point in
thought enhancing tools. your life.
• Apply creative thought enhancing tools to • Journal entries
current world problems. (continuous)
• Identify the benefits of building a personal
creative arsenal.
Module 6: Entrepreneurial • Identify key elements of Level 6 thinking: • Create a mind map that
Tools for Creativity and Different. captures your working style
Innovation—Exploring • Explain how the “intersection” is an and approach to something
the Intersection opportunity for innovation. you are currently dealing
(4 hours) • Differentiate directional and intersectional with.
ideas. • Read Ch. 7-8 in text -
• Identify and discuss methods to Transitioning to Level 6
overcome barriers to innovation. and Level 6-Different...
• Combine multiple concepts using • Journal entries
Johansson’s methods from The Medici (continuous)
Effect.
• Use diagnostic tests to prioritize the
development of multiple innovations.
• Recognize the benefits of acknowledging
and overcoming personal and
organizational fears and failures.

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Part of The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course
 Assignments to be
Class Meeting Enabling Objectives Completed Prior to Class
Module 7: Observation • List applications of Creativity and • Complete the Observation
Lab Innovation witnessed in various stores. Lab.
(4 hours) • Identify areas of additional opportunity in • Journal entries
each of the stores. (continuous)
• Compare and contrast approaches,
displays, merchandise and service among
the stores.
• Rank the stores from most to least
creative/innovative overall.
• Compare the experience between the
formally and informally dressed Cast
Members.
• Combine elements of two stores to create
a new merchandise location.

Module 8: Developing and • Identify primary concepts of Level 7 • Failure resume: Continue
Contributing to a change. to add to your failure
Creative-Innovation Team • Define the five primary roles people play resume. Below each
(4 hours) on innovative teams. failure, describe what you
• Describe your primary personal approach learned from the
to thinking and behaving on a creative associated mistakes.
team. (handwritten)
• Recognize the difference between sheer • Read Ch.9 in text – Level
conflict and creative abrasion. 7-Impossible.
• Report on benefits and challenges in • Journal entries
maintaining creative teams. (continuous)
• Prepare for exam.
• Complete Rules of
Engagement sheets from
Observation Lab
(handwritten) plus group
photos.
• Prepare brief report out on
Observation Lab and new
retail concept.

Module 9: Managing for • Identify personality functions and attitudes • Read Text Ch. 11, Getting
Creativity and Innovation that impact a person’s level of resistance Ready for Change-
(4 hours) or acceptance of change. Individuals.
• Define the primary ways a leader • Journal entries
discourages and inhibits creativity and (continuous)
innovation. • Prepare for final
• Weigh the impact of time and pressure on presentation.
a person’s ability to be creative and
innovative.
• Define the primary ways a leader
encourages creativity and innovation.
• Describe methods for sustaining
motivation.

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Part of The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course
 Assignments to be
Class Meeting Enabling Objectives Completed Prior to Class
Module 10: Evolving a • Describe the key components of a • Prepare for the final
Culture of Creativity and creative culture. presentation.
Innovation in • Differentiate the roles of each of the • List 6– 12 of your own
Organizations aspects of the organizational structure experiences regarding
(4 hours) (hiring/recruitment, recognition/ structural obstacles to
incentives, managerial/decision making innovation and/or creativity
and internal communication), in in organizations you’ve
supporting the creative and innovative been involved with. (typed)
culture. • Turn in completed journal.
• Examine the unique challenges of
sustaining creativity and innovation in an
established organization.
• Discuss ways entrepreneurs can maintain
their creativity.

Module 11: Group • Apply all the creativity and innovation • Deliver group presentation
Presentations lessons from former modules. including PowerPoint and
(4 hours) handouts.

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Part of The Disney Creativity and Innovation Course