320.043 (16W) B 4.3 Systems Theory Approaches

Wintersemester 2016/17

Registration deadline has expired.

First course session
03.10.2016 09:30 - 12:00 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 9 (20 max.)
Organisational unit
Language of instruction Englisch
Course begins on 03.10.2016
eLearning Go to Moodle course
Remarks (english)
  • Minimum 80 % presence in class.
  • Homework is estimated to be ca. 2.6 hour per day.
  • Good level of English is required (reading, writing, oral expression).
  • Deadlines: test 1 (21.11.2016); Review essay (18.01.2017); test 2 (30.01.2016)

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 understand 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 interdisciplinary problems

Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools

Lectures 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; Free choice of topics; Film watching; Discussing; Tests; Blackboard explanations; Writing (colour) cards; Weekly assignments.

It is planned that students select out their own topics to write a short scientific literature review on a system theory concept.

Course content

The aim of the course is to introduce students from different disciplines a new scientific method so-called system theories to enable them to argue and understand systems thinking to tackle local and global issues. This is a series of seminars to introduce 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 current interdisciplinary problems like for example climate change, loss of biodiversity, decrease of resources, etc. Current approaches from natural and social science systems theories and ample examples of systems thinking will be treated during the seminar.


Literature

Thinking in systems a primer by Donella Meadows (2008) (in the library but it is recommended to buy it for future readings).

System thinkers by Magnus Ramage and Karen Shipp (2009) (in the library).

Systems science and modeling for ecological economics by Alexey Voinov (2008). The lecturer will provide some information from the book in class.

Academic writing by Felicitas Macgilshrist in Schoningh UTB (2014).

Other material like course data, 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 methodology

2 multiple choice tests.

Literature review report.

Oral presentation.

Examination topic(s)

Test 1:

After learning system theories and modelling system dynamics with Stella, students will have the first test about all the content given at that time. Theoretical and practical questions are expected.

Short scientific literature review report:

Students select out their own topics to write a scientific literature review report related to the contribution of systems perspective. In the literature reviews, students are expected to cover the background of their selected theme, introduce various associated problems and then to point to a single or a few highly relevant particular applications of system analysis. Students provide a written report (20%) and oral presentation (10%).

Alternatively, the literature review report may be an applied modelling work (can also be on further analysis and improvement of models that exists in literature). Students are obliged to  submit an applied report.

Test 2:

Last student obligation is to take the comprehensive final exam, which will cover all the topics studied throughout the semester, both in the instructor's and students' lectures. Theoretical and practical questions are expected.

Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations

Test 1, 30%.

Test 2, 40%.

Scientific literature review report, 30%.

*To pass: mininum 60%

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)

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 2015/16
  • 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)