320.043 (15W) B 4.3 Systems Theory Approaches

Wintersemester 2015/16

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First course session
05.10.2015 10:00 - 13:00 B02.2.05 On Campus
... no further dates known

Overview

Lecturer
Course title german B 4.3 Systemtheoretische Ansätze
Type Seminar (continuous assessment course )
Hours per Week 3.0
ECTS credits 8.0
Registrations 6 (40 max.)
Organisational unit
Language of instruction Englisch
Course begins on 12.10.2015
Remarks (english) Each student is expected to attend the seminars (at least 80% of the time)and deliver the weekly assignments in time. In order to be fair to all the students, assignments deadlines are not extendable. Student contribution, attendance and assignment delivery is compulsory. The instructor reserves the right to change the content to reflect world events. Students will be provided with an updated syllabus if significant changes are necessary.

Time and place

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Course Information

Intended learning outcomes

After successful completion of the course, students will know: - to identify system thinkers and different systems theoretical approaches - to understand accumulation problems - to design dynamic systems - to undestand and apply concepts like resilience, self-organization, hierarchy, non-linearity, non-existing boundaries, layers of limits, delays and bounded rationality - to apply system theories to geographical problems

Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools

Seminars start with a description of the objectives of the day and introduction to the different topics. Different activities are planned for each day like: Writing; Presenting; Playing games; Computer modelling; Working in groups; Working individually; Reviewing colleagues work (presentations and reports); Free choice of topics; Film watching; Discussing; Tests; Blackboard explanations; Writing (colour) cards; Weekly assignments.

Conditions of admission

B1, B2, B3.2.

Course content

The seminar provides an introduction to current approaches of systems theory from social to natural scientific perspectives. You will explore how systems thinking provides new ways of studying the connections of these approaches to geographical and current interdisciplinary problems.

Topics

  • Evolution of system thinking
  • System problems: Decreasing CO2 in the atmosphere
  • System thinkers over time
  • System dynamics: accumulation problems, feedbacks, delays
  • Holism
  • Resilience
  • Self-organization
  • Hierarchy
  • Non-linearity
  • Non-existing boundaries
  • Layers of limits
  • Delays
  • Bounded rationality

Keywords

systems, modelling, resilience

Teaching objective

The aim of the seminar is to introduce students to a new scientific method so-called system theories to enable them to argue and understand systems thinking to tackle local and global issues.

Prior knowledge expected

To follow this seminar optimally it is advised to attend the courses i) "551.130 Writing I: Essential Writing Skills a" and ii) "551.140 Reading I: Strategies and Skills a” or to have acquired similar level by other means before inscribing to this seminar.

Literature

-"Thinking in systems. A primer" by Donella Meadows 2008 (good to have it for future readings, recommended to buy!). -"System thinkers" by Magnus Ramage and Karen Shipp, 2009. -Other material like scientific articles, videos, etc will be giving through Moodle.

Examination information

Im Fall von online durchgeführten Prüfungen sind die Standards zu beachten, die die technischen Geräte der Studierenden erfüllen müssen, um an diesen Prüfungen teilnehmen zu können.

Examination topic(s)

All the content given in class.

Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations

Weekly assignments (oral and written) Tests (multiple choice)

Grading scheme

Grade / Grade grading scheme

Position in the curriculum

  • Bachelor's degree programme Geography (SKZ: 655, Version: 12W.2)
    • Subject: Integrative Geographie / Globaler Wandel (Compulsory subject)
      • B 4.3 Systemtheoretische Ansätze ( 0.0h SE / 8.0 ECTS)
        • 320.043 B 4.3 Systems Theory Approaches (3.0h SE / 8.0 ECTS)
  • Bachelor's degree programme Geography (SKZ: 655, Version: 05W.3)
    • Subject: Grundlagen der Geographie (Compulsory subject)
      • Landschaftszonen - die globale ökologische Sicht (B6.1) ( 2.0h VP / 3.0 ECTS)
        • 320.043 B 4.3 Systems Theory Approaches (3.0h SE / 8.0 ECTS)

Equivalent courses for counting the examination attempts

Wintersemester 2021/22
  • 320.043 SE Systemtheoretische Ansätze (B 6.1, B 4.3 alt) (3.0h / 7.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2020/21
  • 320.043 SE Systemtheoretische Ansätze (B 6.1, B 4.3 alt) (3.0h / 7.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2019/20
  • 320.043 SE Systemtheoretische Ansätze (B 4.3) (3.0h / 7.0ECTS)
Sommersemester 2019
  • 320.043 SE Systemtheoretische Ansätze - Studying social networks: theory, methods, and analysis (B 4.3) (3.0h / 7.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2018/19
  • 320.043 SE Systemtheoretische Ansätze (B 4.3) (3.0h / 7.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2017/18
  • 320.043 SE Systemtheoretische Ansätze (B 4.3) (3.0h / 8.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2016/17
  • 320.043 SE B 4.3 Systemtheoretische Ansätze (3.0h / 8.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2014/15
  • 320.043 SE B 4.3 Systemtheoretische Ansätze (3.0h / 8.0ECTS)