An introduction to creativity theory

Learning outcomes

This course has been designed to:

• Introduce students to some of the fundamental aspects of Creativity Theory, and the History of Ideas
• Apply philosophical and creative practices in a range of contexts
• Critically assess different theoretical approaches to creativity, eg as a process or as a product. 

Course sessions:

1.1 Introduction to Creativity Theory
This session will introduce the key texts pertaining to creativity theory. We will also introduce some of the central notions associated with creativity and propose a philosophical approach we can call “beginning in the middle”.  

1.2 A History of ideas 
Creativity is a relatively new concept. We will adopt/adapt an historical methodology for understanding where it came from.  

2.1 Creation Ex Nihilo
Can something come from nothing? The mind rebels at the suggestion, and yet the alternative is equally baffling.  

2.2 Egotism
“To create, to God alone pertains”. Or so said John Davis. To what extent is human creativity a reflection of God, and to what extent is it a reflection of our own egotism?  

3.1 Creativity in the age of reason: Synthesis, imagination and genius
Kant’s account of artistic creativity set the agenda for Western accounts of creativity afterwards. But is he right to say that science is not creative? 

3.2 Creativity in the age of reason: Romanticism
By drawing a limit to rational enquiry Kant, inadvertently perhaps, enables artists to create truth through beauty.  

4.1 Reason and the Self
The ego aside, what role do I play in creating? Don’t ideas strike me? If so, is creativity more about letting go?  

4.2 The end of history?
Yes, more events keep happening – but history as a discipline seems to expand always on the same, or similar, events. Are there any new narratives?  

5.1 Modern modes of creative thought
Creativity is no longer the province of genius – anyone can create. In doing so, have we rendered creativity a mere process?  

5.2 “Can you teach creativity?”  “No, But you can learn it”
At the end of our discussion we will consider to what extent a course like this can be said to improve your ability to create. Can you teach creativity, and can you assess it? 

Certificate of Participation

At the end of your Winter Festival course(s) a Certificate of Participation will be sent to you electronically.

Non-credit bearing

Courses on our Virtual Winter Festival of Learning are non-credit bearing.

Pre-recorded sessions

All of our courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded video sessions, designed to help you address different aspects of the main topic. Access to the Course Welcome and Information sections on the VLE will be available a week before the start of your course.

Course content

Content will be made available on each day of the course, Monday to Friday, from 9.00am GMT. Course content will normally amount to around 1.5hrs per day across the 5 days, comprising material delivered by the Course Director, reading/activities, and discussions on the course discussion forum. You may need to complete reading or any other preparation suggested in advance of the course.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

A small number of courses may also include optional live discussions via Zoom.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During your course and up until 24 February you will have access to a number of learning resources. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Study and viewing time

We suggest that you set aside around 1.5hrs each day to complete the course content and activities. However, this does not need to be done in one sitting, and you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

Each course runs for one week and content will remain available on the VLE until Wednesday 24 February 2021.

Course discussion forums will close at noon on the Monday after your course finishes.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Winter Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Winter Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these Talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you in mid-January.