Beyond Systems Thinking

Course Description

"Beyond Systems Thinking" is an innovative and transformative course that delves into the complexities of today's most pressing global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and energy dependencies. This course offers a unique blend of scientific reasoning and designerly practices to address these complex issues. It equips learners with the tools and mindset necessary to navigate uncertainty, foster resilience, and drive systemic innovation in an ever-changing world.

What Students Will Learn

• Critical understanding of systems thinking and its applications
• Techniques for navigating complexity, including the "view from above" practice
• Transformative perspectives on resilience
• Basics of social network analysis for designing in complex systems
• Expanded concepts of circular economy across various scales
• Approaches to systemic innovation
• Real-world applications through case studies from living systems labs across Europe

Prerequisites

While there are no strict prerequisites, students should:

• Be curious and open to expanding their expertise
• Have a willingness to engage in philosophical discourse and designerly practices
• Be motivated to contribute to a more resilient and regenerative world
• Be ready to connect with stakeholders in their region
• Be open to mental, physical, and social challenges

It is recommended, but not required, to have completed MOOC 1 of the series.

Course Coverage

• Critical analysis of systems thinking
• "View from above" practices for navigating complexity
• Transformative resilience concepts
• Introduction to social network analysis
• Circular economy principles and applications
• Systemic innovation approaches
• Real-world case studies from living systems labs
• Practical engagement through Systemic Cycles and Gigamapping

Target Audience

• Current science or engineering students from various disciplines
• Design students, architects, landscape planners, and urban planners
• Professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and redirect their careers
• Anyone interested in contributing to a more resilient and regenerative world

Real-World Applications

• Developing innovative solutions for complex environmental and social challenges
• Enhancing decision-making processes in policy and business
• Designing more sustainable and resilient systems in various fields
• Creating and managing circular economy initiatives
• Fostering community engagement and collaboration for systemic change
• Leading transformative projects in regional and global contexts

Course Structure

1. Introduction to complexity and systems thinking
2. "View from above" practices
3. Transformative resilience
4. Social network analysis
5. Circular economy concepts and applications
6. Systemic innovation
7. Case studies from living systems labs
8. Practical engagement through Systemic Cycles and Gigamapping
9. Personal QUEST development for transformative change

This course offers a unique opportunity to develop the skills and mindset necessary to become a leader in transformative change towards regeneration, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application in real-world contexts.