Module POLM883DA for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM883DA: Systems Thinking in Theory and Practice
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The Systems Thinking in Theory and Practice module will help apprentices meet a range of skills (S1, S2, S3, S4, S7), knowledges (K1, K2, K3) and behaviours (B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B8) implicit in the IATE Systems Thinking Practitioner standard.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate a sound working knowledge of critical systems heuristics, and critical and reflective perspectives on the methods applicability, limits, and benefits as they pertain to system modelling and interventions. 2. Evidence a critical and detailed understanding of the applied critical systems heuristics method. 3. Analyse different options for designing a complex, ethical, and reflective systems intervention regime, inclusive of and evidencing critical consideration of different intervention methods. 4. Gather and analyse of a range of soft system data to deliver interventions, change and impact |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 5. Evidence a holistic and comparative understanding of the critical systems heuristics method within the wider school of soft systems methods. 6. Evidence a well-developed theoretical and practical understandings of the evaluation of systems interventions |
Personal and Key Skills | 7. Demonstrate reflexive skills and behaviours for critical self-reflection, personal development, and system design. 8. Explore and reflect upon personal biases, ethics, and beliefs as they pertain to systems and professional practice |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Gregory Bateson’s philosophy
- Boundary critique
- Critical systems heuristics
- The viable system model
- Systemic intervention
- Systemic evaluation
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
22.5 | 67.5 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 22.5 | Masterclasses: The masterclasses are where apprentices are given day length teaching and learning, contextualised through practical group exercises |
Guided Independent Study | 67.5 | Weekly study sessions: A day per week spent on guided, independent, group and informational sessions to enhance, contextualise, and practice the learnings from masterclasses |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
- Ulrich, W., & Reynolds, M. (2020). Critical systems heuristics: The idea and practice of boundary critique. In Systems approaches to making change: A practical guide (pp. 255-306). Springer, London.
- Espinosa, A., & Walker, J. (2017). Complexity Approach to Sustainability, A: Theory And Application (Vol. 5). World Scientific.