Course detail
Systems thinking and design 2
FaVU-1SMaD2Acad. year: 2022/2023
In the second part of the course on systems thinking and design, we will move from learning about systems thinking and critiquing the doctrine of economic growth to visions and examples of good/desirable practice. We will also look for these in our immediate surroundings, using examples from the city of Brno. We will go together to the field to observe the concrete manifestations and circumstances of complex problems. We will also take a field trip to an organization that applies systems thinking in its operations.
Language of instruction
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Guarantor
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Upon completion of the course, students should be familiar with methods, case studies and policies that seek to apply systems thinking and should be able to subject these to critical reflection.
Prerequisites
Completion of Systems Thinking and Design 1.
Co-requisites
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Seminars focused on the application of knowledge from the first semester, field trips.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
The following conditions are set for the award of credit/examination:
- Compulsory attendance – 75% attendance (attendance at a minimum of 4 blocks out of 6)
- Seminar paper - topic for an essay or position paper of 10K characters will be specified in individual tutorials from the circuits:
- Reflection on a specific problem from the perspective of systems thinking
- Reflection of own practice from the point of view of systems thinking
- Analysis of the potential benefits and unintended consequences of any of the policy proposals discussed during the course.
Course curriculum
1. Applying systems thinking to design education. The concept of transitive design.
2. Policy design and redesign. Shortening the working week, universal basic income (UBI), case study of the city of Amsterdam.
3. 'Decent companies' and turquoise organisations. Excursions.
4. A case study from the city of Brno. Field trip I.
5. A case study from the city of Brno. Field trip II.
6. Conclusion - system-oriented designers. Consultation of final seminar papers and evaluation of the benefits of the course for the students.
Work placements
Aims
The course aims to introduce learners to examples of the application of systems thinking.
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
The course is taught in blocks (2 hours lecture, 2 hours seminar). Minimum attendance is 75%.
Recommended optional programme components
Prerequisites and corequisites
- compulsory co-requisite
Systems Thinking and Design 1
Basic literature
Recommended reading
Fry, Tony. „Design after design". Design Philosophy Papers 15, č. 2 (3. červenec 2017): 99–102. https://doi.org/10.1080/14487136.2017.1392093. (EN)
Irwin, Terry. “Transition Design: A Proposal for a New Area of Design Practice, Study, and Research.” Design and Culture, vol. 7, no. 2, 3 Apr. 2015, pp. 229–246, 10.1080/17547075.2015.1051829. (EN)
Meadows, Donella. Thinking in Systems. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2008. (EN)
Stroh, David Peter, and Michael Goodman. “A Systemic Approach to Ending Homelessness.” Applied Systems Thinking Journal, vol. Topical Issue, 2007, www.appliedsystemsthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TopicalHomelessness.pdf (EN)
Classification of course in study plans
- Programme VUB Bachelor's
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, summer semester, elective