Creative and Critical Thinking for Problem Solving (11201.3)

This unit covers a wide range of creative and critical thinking theories, tools and techniques for problem solving. The unit has a cognitive base for the development of critical and creative thinking techniques. Students identify problems, define appropriate techniques, undertake idea generation and the evaluation and implementation of ideas. Topics include creative thinking and its importance in business; blocks to and theories of creativity; objective finding, fact finding and problematization; mind mapping; analogies and morphological analysis; brainstorming; lateral thinking; evaluating and implementing new ideas; and dealing with resistance to change. The unit also provides eight contemporary critical thinking methods and models to be used to problem solve.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Conceptualize the need for critical and creative problem-solving capabilities and techniques in contemporary and future business environments;
2. Apply a range of critical and creative thinking theories, models, skills/techniques for problem identification, problem solving and reflective practice; and
3. Identify and review critical and creative thinking in a range of cultural, diverse and indigenous contexts and organisations and determine techniques to overcoming resistance to change when implementing new ideas.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline

Skills development

This unit on Creative and Critical Thinking will link with UC's Graduate Attributes. 

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.