We need a common language to talk about the context of sustainability challenges. A crucial starting point is to recognize the fundamental distinction between simple and complex systems, as well as linear and non-linear logic. In this first part of the course, you will get to know more about complex systems.

We will cover these concepts:

Systems Thinking
Non-linearity
Complex Adaptive Systems
Emergence
Wicked Problems
The Cynefin Framework
Systems Thinking Tools

Let us begin with a short introduction.

The presentation can be found here: Introduction to Systems thinking MOOC.pdf

Further reading

If you want to dig deeper into systems thinking and open systems, we can recommend some books:

Meadows, Donella H. (2008) Thinking in Systems - A Primer, Chelsea Green Publishing, Vermont. (This book is often used as a textbook in academic courses in Systems Theory).

Checkland, Peter (1999) Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. John Wiley & Sons.

If you want to dig into the concept of Complexity, we can recommend some books:

Johnson, Neil (2007) Simply Complexity - a clear guideline to complexity theory. Oneworld Publications

Mitchell, Melanie (2009) Complexity - A Guided Tour. Oxford University Press