System Thinking and Global Challenges
About the course
Target group
Students
Key words
Course introduction
The Systems Thinking and Global Challenges course is designed to equip participants with essential skills and perspectives to address complex, interconnected global challenges. Participants will explore systems thinking, a foundational approach that examines how various components within a system interact, influence one another, and create patterns. This course emphasizes how systems thinking applies to issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and societal impacts, providing insights into the global environment and methods to foster sustainable practices.
Course Structure
The course is divided into five modules:
- Introduction to Systems Thinking
- Understanding Systems Thinking
- Applying Systems Thinking to Global Problems
- Global Challenges and the Circular Economy
- Overview of Global Challenges
- The Role of the Circular Economy in Addressing Global Challenges
- Case Studies of Circular Economy Applications
- Policy and Business Models Supporting the Circular Economy
- Systems Thinking in Business Management
- Systems Thinking
- Applying Systems Thinking to Business Challenges
- Systems Dynamics and Feedback Loops in Business
- Integrating Systems Thinking into Strategic Decision-Making
- Overcoming Barriers to Systems Thinking Adoption
- Applying Systems Thinking to Ecosystems and Agriculture
- Systems Thinking in Agricultural Systems
- Managing Feedback Loops and Interdependencies in Agricultural Systems
- Long-Term vs. Short-Term Perspectives in Agriculture
- Building Resilient Agricultural Systems through Systems Thinking
- Final Assessment and Future Outlook
- Group Project: Designing a Sustainable Agricultural System
- Wrap-Up and Reflection
Details to know
Downloadable certificate
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Assessment
14 Quizzes
Learning outcomes
The course aims to allow participants to achieve the following Learning Outcomes:
- LO1 – To understand and apply the principles of systems thinking, recognizing the difference between linear and systems-based approaches to complex issues.
- LO2 – To analyze and map out global challenges, such as climate change and resource scarcity, identifying key components, interactions, and feedback mechanisms within these systems.
- LO3 – To apply circular economy principles to various industries, recognizing how sustainable practices such as reuse, recycling, and waste reduction can address resource depletion and environmental impact.
- LO4 – To utilize systems thinking tools, such as causal loop diagrams and stock-flow models, to investigate and address complex, interconnected challenges in business and environmental contexts.
- LO5 – To design sustainable strategies and business models using systems thinking, demonstrating an ability to integrate social, economic, and environmental factors into long-term planning.
- LO6 – To promote systems thinking and sustainability practices within organizations, understanding the barriers to adoption and developing strategies to foster a systems-thinking culture.
- LO7 – To work collaboratively on projects, effectively identifying, developing, and presenting systems-based solutions to complex real-world challenges.
These outcomes equip participants with the skills needed to apply systems thinking frameworks and principles across multiple sectors, fostering sustainable and impactful solutions to global issues.
More detailed Learning Outcomes can be found in module introductions.
Course outline
Introduction to Systems Thinking
Lessons
Introduction 1. Understanding Systems Thinking 2. Applying Systems Thinking to Global Problems 3. Mental Models and Systemic Leverage Points ReferencesGlobal Challenges and the Circular Economy
Lessons
Introduction 1. Overview of Global Challenges 2. The role of the circular economy in addressing global challenges 3. Case studies of Circular Economy applications 4. Policy and business models supporting the Circular Economy ReferencesSystems Thinking in Business Management
Lessons
Introduction 1. Systems thinking 2. Applying systems thinking to business challenges 3. Systems dynamics and feedback loops in business 4. Integrating Systems Thinking into strategic decision-making 5. Overcoming Barriers to Systems Thinking Adoption ReferencesApplying Systems Thinking to Ecosystems and Agriculture
Lessons
Introduction 1. Systems Thinking in Agricultural Systems 2. Managing Feedback Loops and Interdependencies in Agricultural Systems References
Project nr. 101110547.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.