Systems Thinking for a Complex World
Undergraduate
UAD-COM3508OUA 2024Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Systems Thinking for a Complex World
About this subject
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the complex and multi-dimensional nature of the issues we face, locally and globally, and the role of connectedness and diversity;
2. Explicate the structural components of systems and how they shape system behaviour;
3. Explain how different kinds of ‘leverage point’ affect the outcome of systemic interventions;
4. Identify and address the standard patterns (‘archetypes’) of system dynamics that may give rise to the unintended and perverse consequences of our interventions in systems; and
5. Engage effectively with ‘messy’, uncertain environments and the apparently intractable problems that emerge from complex, ‘living’ systems
- Introducing systems thinking
- Some systems tools
- Mental Models
- Root causes, delays and information flows
- Systems archetypes
- Measuring progress
- Interventions
- Complexity & cases
This course adopts a system thinking perspective to explore the challenges and opportunities of managing in complex organisational and social environments. Building on skills and knowledge gained throughout the program, the course provides a framework in which to explore the essential `messiness? of living systems and the complexity and unpredictability of outcomes. Assessment will focus on the use of environmental and organisational information to diagnose problems, to propose alternative solutions, and then consider possible outcomes to complex business problems.
All assessment is assignment based.
- Research Report (25%)
- Assessment Part A: Reflective Journal Entry (15%)
- Evaluation Report (25%)
- Assessment Part B: Learning Summary (10%)
- Case Studies (25%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 8
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 7
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- UAD-HSM-DEG-2024 - Bachelor of Health Service Management
- UAD-INB-DEG-2024 - Bachelor of International Business
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media) Headset, including microphone (highly recommended) Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete their units. MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards, and assessments.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Health Service Management
Undergraduate
UAD-HSM-DEGBachelor of International Business
Undergraduate
UAD-INB-DEG