Systems Thinking for a Complex World

About this subject

• What you'll learn

  On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the complex and multi-dimensional nature of the issues we face, locally and globally, and the role of connectedness and diversity.

  2. Explicate the structural components of systems and how they shape system behaviour.

  3. Explain how different kinds of ‘leverage point’ affect the outcome of systemic interventions.

  4. Identify and address the standard patterns (‘archetypes’) of system dynamics that may give rise to the unintended and perverse consequences of our interventions in systems.

  5. Engage effectively with ‘messy’, uncertain environments and the apparently intractable problems that emerge from complex, ‘living’ systems.

• Topics covered

• Description

• Assessments

• Textbooks

• About Adelaide University

Entry requirements

Part of a degree

To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:

Core

• ADU-HSM-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Health Service Management
• ADU-INB-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of International Business

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• UAD-COM3508OUA (Not currently available)

Others

Successful completion and passing of four core open access courses and admission into the Bachelor of Health Service Management or Bachelor of International Business.

Additional requirements

• Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or presentations).
• Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units. myLearning is the Adelaide University's online learning environment. myLearning provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments.
• Other requirements - Based on duty of care requirements, a student admitted to Adelaide University must be at least 17 years of age by the date of enrolment, in accordance with Adelaide University's Admission for Coursework Programs Procedure.

Study load

0.125 EFTSL

This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.

Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.

Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.