Week by Week Course Details

January

January 16

  • Course Overview and Introduction - Introduction to Systems Thinking
  • Course structure, syllabus review, reading assignments, projects and mentoring, grading, expectations (students and faculty)

January 18 

  • A Systems View of the World (1)
  • Looking at the world as a system of systems; systems science and complexity science; system thinking; methods of decision making; simple, complicated, and complex systems
  • HW Assignment:

January 23  

January 25

  • Introduction to System Dynamics (1)
  • Components of system dynamics; system dynamics modeling; Stella Pro software
  • HW Assignment:

January 30

February

February 1

February 6

  • Introduction to System Dynamics (4)
  • Components of system dynamics; system dynamics modeling; Stella Pro software, Term projects
  • Reading: pp. 71-93 in my book
  • HW Assignment
    • Browse "An introduction to systems thinking - STELLA software" by B. Richmond (2004)
    • Study SD tutorial on isee system web site (Tutorials 1,2, and 3)
    • FYI, lots of interesting articles on systems thinking on the Systems Thinker web site
    • Create a SD model of acceleration, speed, and positon for the following dynamic: an object is launched in the vertical direction at a height Ho with a velocity Vo. Model the trajectory of the object. Gravity effect only.  

February 8

February 13 

  • A Systems Approach to Human Development (2)
  • The Sustainable Development Goals
  • Reading and HW Assignment:
    • Study SD tutorial on isee system website (Tutorials 1-6)
    • Select two SDG goals from the 17 SDGs. Read about their indicators and monitoring. Be ready to introduce to the rest of the class the two goals and their targets. 2 page (one per goal) deliverable summarizing your findings.
    • SD Model: Create a SD diffusion model as discussed in class on Feb 8. 

February 15 

  • A Systems Approach to Human Development (3)
  • The IF Future Framework, Models of Global Change, SD Modeling, Population Module
  • Reading and HW Assignment:
    • Read about the International Futures (IF) framework (pages 1-22) developed by the Pardee Center for International Futures at DU in Denver.
    • The IF software can be downloaded from the IFs web site.
    • Read pp. 16-18 (Global Change) and pp. 22-23 (critical infrastructure) in my book
  • SD Model: Complete SD diffusion model as discussed in class on Feb 8 and 13.

February 20

February 22

  • The Water-Energy-Land-Food Nexus (2)
  • The Water of Ayole case study
  • HW Assignment:
    • Watch the video: Who sees poverty
    • Watch the video "The Water of Ayole" 
    • As you watch the video, answer a series of questions. Due on Feb 27.
    • SD Model: Complete the population module started on Feb 15 with 1 page documentation (deliverable).

February 27

  • The Water-Energy-Land-Food Nexus (3)
  • Analyzing the components of a case study and modeling
  • HW Assignment:
    • Turn in answers to "Water of Ayole" questions
    • Read Section 3.3 in my book, pp. 86-95
    • SD Model: Build a 4x 4 WELF double-causality matrix reflecting the dynamic of Water of Ayole
    • Powerpoint Presentation

March

March 1

  • The WELF Nexus (4)
  • SD Modeling; Nexus components and modular representations
  • Reading Assignment:
    • Read Section 4.5 in my book, pp. 123-136.

March 6

  • A Systems Approach to Human Development (4)
  • Modeling human system archetypes. Modeling WELF modules. 
  • Reading and HW Assignment
    • Read Chapter 4 in my book, pp. 116-123
    • Read "System Archetypes " by Braun (2002).  Select one archetype of your choice and be ready to present it in class with an illustrative example.
    • SD Model: Two-page write-up of selected archetype including CLD and S&F diagrams. 

March 8

  • Collecting and Analyzing Data for System Dynamics Modeling
  • Ethnographic and PAR methods of primary and second data collection and analysis.
  • Integration of data analysis in individual and group decision system modeling.
  • Reading
    • Read Chapter 6 (Amadei) pp. 175-228
    • Powerpoint Presentation
    • SD Model: Continue developing the WELF-x SD model following specifications discussed on March 6. 

March 13 and 15

  • No class.
  • Work on WELF-x SD model (population, water) and individual case studies.

March 20

  • Systems Approach to Management of Development Projects
  • Combining Problem and Solution Trees with SD Modeling
  • Methods of causal analysis, Developing project hypotheses. 
  • Powerpoint Presentation

March 22

Spring Break

April & May

April 3

  • STELLA Architect, WELF nexus modeling
  • SD Model: Turn in first draft of your population and water SD modules including one page of explanation

April 5

  • Systems Approach to Management of Development Projects
  • Capacity assessment and development - The UVC approach to Municipal Sanitation Systems (MSS)
  • Reading: Chapter 9 Reading

April 10

  • Systems Approach to Management of Development Projects
  • Capacity Analyis (UVC), Risk analysis, Resilience analysis
  • SD Model: Turn in second draft of your population, water, and (preliminary) food SD modules including one page of explanations. 

April 12

  • EXAM

April 17

April 19 

April 24

  • Envision Framework and Model Development
  • Dimensions of leadership, teamwork, dealing with conflict 

May 1

  • Selecting System-Level Interventions
  • Last review of models before presentations on May 3 and 5

May 3

  • Final presentations

May 5

  • Final exam period (7:30-10:00 pm) Final presentations.