BUS 120 - Applied Systems Thinking

STANDARD CREDIT TYPE
3 credit(s)

Systems Thinking is a group of strategies for understanding and solving complex real world problems. This course will introduce participants to basic Systems Thinking concepts and methods, and their application. Strategies will be applied to a variety of problems across numerous business, as well as not-for-profit, scenarios. Participants will acquire and demonstrate skills for applying systems thinking approaches to everyday work and societal situations. Students will examine the role of systems thinking in sustainable business.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to define a system, its boundaries and constituent parts (elements).

2. Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to demonstrate understanding of basic Systems Thinking terms, concepts and methods.

3. Upon successful completion of this course a student should be able to demonstrate the use of Stock and Flow and Causal Loop diagrams, and Behavior Over Time graphs.

4. Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to apply Systems Thinking analysis to a variety of models and current issues; and describe them using systems related terminology.

5. Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to apply Systems Thinking methods to analyze problems and suggest solutions at the individual, local and global levels.

6. Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to present a systems analysis to peers.

7. Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to articulate how systems thinking promotes sustainable business decision-making