Thought and Creativity 1 (PiC1) is the first of three courses in the Thought and Creativity programme, a formative itinerary that, over three years, introduces students to six major works of the Western literary and philosophical tradition with the aim of contributing to their integral development as individuals.
In this first year, the programme focuses on ethics: through the reading and commentary of two classical works, students will explore fundamental moral problems such as the pursuit of happiness, responsibility, the limits of human action, and the coherence between thought and conduct.
The course consists of two parts. The Great Books sessions are devoted to guided reading and commentary on the texts and to developing students’ argumentative skills. The Social Entrepreneurship sessions, held across eight cross-curricular sessions in the second semester, put holistic education into practice by raising awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Upper-intermediate level of the language of instruction of the course.
The course aims to foster awareness, through literary and philosophical texts, of fundamental ethical problems of the human condition, as well as to develop students’ ability to take a reasoned position on these problems, both orally and in writing. It also seeks to cultivate the habit of reflective reading and critical thinking, and to connect the issues raised by the texts with contemporary social challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.
1. Great Books
1.1. Contextual and conceptual introduction to Plato and the Symposium.
1.2. Reading and commentary sessions.
1.3. Practical analysis of a problem related to reading.
1.4. Basic structure of an argumentative text. Definition of the dilemma and introduction to the thesis. Arguments in favor.
1.5. Contextual and conceptual introduction to Jane Austen.
1.6. Reading and commentary sessions.
1.7. Practical analysis of a problem related to reading.
1.8. Basic structure of an argumentative text. Counterarguments. Conclusion.
2. Social Entrepreneurship
2.1. Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship and explanation of the project
2.2. Choosing the challenge
2.3. Market Research and Benchmarking
2.4. Ideation and Value Proposition Canvas
2.5. Business Model Canvas
2.6. Prototype and MVP
2.7. Improved product
2.8. Video delivery and pitch
Thought and Creativity 1 will connect the texts worked on with current issues related to the student experience.
To this end, the Great Books sessions will be based on the methodology of reading and commenting on texts. This commented reading will be complemented by the Argumentation and Debate Workshop, based on the case study method and problem classes, which will encourage dialogue, cooperative work, and group reflection. Besides, following the practice of just-in-time teaching, the student will have to take notes (handwriting) in a notebook and read some texts at home in order to, once in class, think together about the practical problems raised by the works.
The Social Entrepreneurship sessions are based on a combination of theoretical classes and workshops in which students will use a learning approach based on the Candy Innovation Model methodology through practice. It aims to foster the understanding of social entrepreneurship projects through multidisciplinary teams. It encompasses an approach with teamwork activities, exercises, debates and individual and group assignments and presentations.
The course follows a continuous assessment system and consists of two parts: Great Books (70% of the final grade) and Social Entrepreneurship (30%). Both parts must be passed in order to pass the course.
Great Books is assessed each semester through:
- attendance and participation (25%),
- Midterm Exam 1 —guided commentary on a passage— (30%), and
- Midterm Exam 2 —argumentative text and reading comprehension questions— (45%).
The final grade is the average of both semesters (50% + 50%), with a minimum of 4 in each semester to calculate the average.
Social Entrepreneurship is assessed through:
- final submission (30%),
- partial deliverables (30%),
- individual reflection (10%), and
- attendance and participation (30%).
A minimum grade of 5 in attendance and participation is required to pass this part.
The following aspects will be assessed:
• The ability to identify and formulate the ethical, anthropological or sociopolitical problems raised by the texts studied.
• The argumentative quality and coherence of written work in examinations.
• The acquisition and appropriate use of the conceptual content covered in class.
• The ability to take a reasoned and consistent position on the problems raised by the texts, connecting them with the current world.
• Active and constructive participation in sessions, demonstrating prior reflective reading.
• In the case of Social Entrepreneurship, involvement in teamwork, the quality of deliverables, and the capacity for individual reflection on the experience.
- Plato, Symposium. Translated by Robert Waterfield, Oxford World Classics (2000).
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Classics (2002).
None.