MGF5500

Systems thinking and theory

Mr John Barton

6 points
* One 3-hour class per week
* Caulfield

Objectives On completion of this subject students will have developed a critical understanding of the techniques of systems thinking and its applications in management.

Synopsis Managing complexity, organisations as open systems, ways of thinking, approaches to systems thinking - in particular contributions from Emery, Forrester, Checkland, Beer, Flood and Jackson, etc., world views and outline of general systems theory, cognitive issues relating to systems thinking, and systems thinking and scientific method.

Assessment Individual assignments and presentations: 30%
* Group assignment and presentations: 30%
* Examination (3 hours): 40%

References

Emery M (ed.) Participative design for participative democracy Centre for Continuing Education, ANU, 1993
Flood R and Jackson M Creative problem solving: Total systems intervention Wiley, 1991
Mitroff I and Linstone H The unbounded mind OUP, 1993