Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2014
Course Code: EMPL5960C
Course Title: Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills
School: 320T Architecture & Design
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C4322 - Certificate IV in Design
Course Contact : Leigh Milward
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9438
Course Contact Email:leigh.milward@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Primary course contact:
Ruth Wellington
ruth.wellington@rmit.com.au
9925 9417
Nominal Hours: 40
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
This course is delivered and assessed in conjunction with GRAP5335 Generate design solutions.
Course Description
In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to think in a more creative way. Creative thinking involves looking at things differently, musing, testing, experimenting and challenging existing thought patterns.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
BSBCRT301A Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills |
Element: |
1. Develop a questioning mindset |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Develop the habit of asking questions from different perspectives |
Element: |
2. Generate ideas and responses |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Explore and use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas and responses |
Element: |
3. Challenge, test and re invent ideas |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Identify, interrogate and challenge the assumptions behind ideas |
Element: |
4. Enhance creative thinking skills |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Consciously challenge and question own thought patterns and ways of responding to work and life |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a studio and computer laboratory using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.
In class activities will include:
• demonstrations and presentations by teacher
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• review and revision
• peer learning
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• evaluation & critique including feedback & assessment
Out of class activities will include:
• independent project based work
• online tutorials and activities
• independent research
• site visits
• social & other networking
Teaching Schedule
This course is delivered in combination with - Generate design solutions (GRAP5306C - BSBDES401A)
The combined timeline is presented here as a complete reference to the combined unit.
Session | Week Beginning | Session description | Learning Elements EMPL5960C |
Learning Elements GRAP5306C |
1 | 14 July | Orientation activities | ||
2 | 21 July | Project 1 - RMIT Mental Health Awareness week |
1, 2 | 1, 2 |
3 | 28 July | Develop and explore ideas and products |
1, 2 | 1, 2, 3 |
4 | 4 Aug | Consolidate design proposal and visual outcome | 3, 4 | 3, 4 |
5 | 11 Aug | Present concept to client & evaluate outcome - feedback (Project 1 due in) | 3, 4 | 3, 4, 5 |
6 *** | 18 Aug | *** First folio week *** |
||
7 | 25 Aug | Project 2 - "Brand yourself" - Research and reference gathering | 1, 2 | 1, 2 |
8 | 1 Sept | Brainstorming and ideation methods | 1, 2 |
1, 2, 3 |
9 | 8 Sept | Develop and evaluate possible options (Revisit Project 1 for implementation) | 3 |
3, 4 |
10 | 15 Sept | Consolidate design outcomes and visual applications | 3, 4 | 3, 4, 5 |
Mid Term Break - 1 week | ||||
11 | 29 Sept | Evaluation and reflection on project outcomes (Project 2 due in) |
4 |
4, 5 |
12 | 6 Oct | *** Folio update week *** |
||
13 | 13 Oct | Project 3 - Social issue poster and promotional materials |
1, 2 | 1 |
14 | 20 Oct | Brainstorming and ideation methods + problem solving | 1, 2 |
2, 3 |
15 | 27 Oct | Develop and explore visual concepts and taglines | 3 |
3, 4 |
16 | 3 Nov (Mon/Tues no classes) | NO CLASS | 3, 4 |
4, 5 |
17 | 11 Nov | Refinement and production of final designs (Project 3 due in) | 4 |
5 |
18 | 18 Nov | *** Final Folio week *** |
|
|
19 | 25 Nov | Final submissions |
1, 2, 3, 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
20 | 1 Dec | Assessment week | 1, 2, 3, 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
None required |
References
You are advised to look at the course myRMIT site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access of the library resources. The University Library has extensive resources for Design students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies
http://rmit.libguides.com/graphicartanddesign
The Library provides guides on academic referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills and will include group and individual tasks and group and individual projects.
Assessment tasks are:
Project 1 50%
Project 2 50%
An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Assessment Tasks
Tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Feedback throughout the course may be written, verbal or a combination of both.
Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks and you should engage in all formative tasks.
This course has 3 Summative Tasks, all of which must be completed/submitted. Each task has an allocated percentage of the total grade.
You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.
Formative Tasks:
Stages of each of the projects will be assessed with progressive feedback provided.
Summative Tasks represent a combined total of 100% of the Graded Course Assessment:
Project 1 - 30%
RMIT Mental Health awareness week campaign - collaborative/team based
Due Week 5
Project 2 - 40%
"Brand yourself" - multi-faceted branding project
Due Week 11
Project 3 - 40%
Social issue poster and promotion
Due week 17
At the completion of the course, grading will be offered in addition to, and after, competency based assessment.
Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment are:
CHD - Competent with High Distinction.
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competency Achieved - Graded
CA - Competency Achieved - Ungraded
DNS - Did Not Submit for Assessment
NYC - Not Yet Competent
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.
Other Information
Attendance

The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
 Student feedback at RMIT
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
Cover Sheet for Submissions 

You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
Course Overview: Access Course Overview