94665 Complexity and Sustainability
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
This subject introduces complexity and systems thinking with a focus on real-world sustainability issues. Students probe the nature and characteristics of complex systems and design interventions that move these systems towards sustainable futures. They explore a variety of mapping, modelling and intervention strategies and apply them to a current and complex sustainability challenge. Students engage with Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Impact Assessment, Life Cycle Costing and other frameworks and standards utilised by professionals to understand and evaluate the sustainability of products and systems. Through this process, students creatively and rigorously test key qualities they have identified in a complex system and put forward proposals that initiate change for sustainable futures.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Analyse and map complex systems, organisations and/or individuals using language, principles and tools of complexity. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Draw from different perspectives, schools of thought and philosophical positions to explore problems identified in a system in its entirety. |
| 3. | Compare and contrast judgements and assumptions that are intentionally and unintentionally applied when framing issues of sustainability. |
| 4. | Identify and choose appropriate tools, processes and/or frameworks to generate creative interventions in a complex system to enable sustainable futures, including Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Impact Assessment and Life Cycle Costing. |
| 5. | Develop proposals that are suitable and compelling for key stakeholders. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject contributes specifically to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:
- Synthesise a holistic larger-picture view of complex situations by analysing diverse perspectives and information. (1.1)
- Identify, evaluate, bricolage and apply methods for investigating, navigating, and gaining insights into complex challenges and systems. (1.2)
- Identify and utilise a range of appropriate creative intelligence and other methods together to identify meaningful opportunities to creatively problem-solve and generate transformative possibilities. (2.1)
- Develop, co-design, iterate, adapt and pivot proposals and initiatives to test ideas and learn about system dynamics and constraints. (3.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Students map complex systems associated with a current sustainability challenge using a range of visualisation and modeling approaches to identify system components and organise them within relational frameworks, which develops CILOs 1.1 and 1.2. They draw on their disciplinary backgrounds and use a range of complexity concepts and theories to develop a nuanced view of sustainability and propose and evaluate interventions into a complex system that could shift the system in a desirable direction (CILO 2.1). Students have an opportunity to examine the relevance of their proposals and sustainbility perspectives through collaboration, negotiation, experimentation and stakeholder engagement, which contributes to the development of CILOs 3.1 and 3.4.
Teaching and learning strategies
Learning in this studio style subject takes place over six full days in a three-week period in person, supplemented with online modules and activities. Students will be learning in a collaborative, immersive, experiential environment where they will engage with academics, invited industry professionals and peers across a wide range of disciplines. Students are required to seek out formative feedback from staff, peers and experts as students develop their sustainability-focused interventions.
Content (topics)
- Complexity
- Systems thinking
- ‘Soft’ and ‘hard’ systems approaches
- Sustainability and sustainable futures
- Interventions in complex systems
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Sustainability challenge: mapping complexity
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 3.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
Assessment task 2: Sustainability initiative: designing for complexity
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.2, 2.1 and 3.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
Assessment task 3: Making sense of the complex
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .4 and 2.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
Minimum requirements
Students must attempt each assessment task and achieve an overall pass mark in order to pass this subject.
Late penalties apply to all assessment tasks as outlined in the TD School FYI student booklet. Please consult this booklet for other useful information including Special Consideration, Plagiarism, Extension, and Student Support Services.
Unless pre-approved by the subject coordinator, a minimum of 80% of attendance of classes (as outlined in the timetable) is required,
Required texts
No required texts. Readings and other resources will be provided online and in class.