Understanding systems: making sense of complexity
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You can’t always make sense of problems or issues by breaking them into parts. A systemic perspective focuses on different aspects of a situation, but pays attention to the connections and relationships between things – and to the different perceptions, priorities and needs of the people involved. This course introduces you to systems thinking and helps you develop an understanding of some of the most important technological, environmental and social systems of our times. You’ll learn simple techniques and ways of looking at things that will help you to explore your own understanding of complex issues and communicate your understanding to others.
An undergraduate course in Business and Management , Computing and ICT and Engineering and Technology.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | T214 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 7 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-course assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
Course content
This course will help you to make sense of complex situations, and develop your skills in understanding them as systems. When you consider the world in terms of systems, all sorts of connections and relationships are revealed, some of which go against common sense and accepted wisdom.
In T214 you will develop your ability to think systemically by deepening your understanding of four different subject areas:
- communication systems and the internet
- earth systems and the environment
- social systems and organisations
- community systems and criminal justice.
These are presented in four blocks:
Block 1: Understanding the Internet: Communication Systems
This block introduces the concepts of emergence, self-organisation, complexity and networks through an examination of the internet as a system to connect physically remote intellects. You will learn to use network analysis, internet research and your own notes and reflections to make sense of this topic.
Block 2: Understanding the Environment: Earth Systems
This block focuses on systems concepts such as non-linearity and feedback. You will study the relationship between social and environmental systems, considering how different physical systems interact with human society to produce the present and future environment. The concepts of feedback, hierarchy and equifinality will be used to examine the dynamics of climactic change. The skills focus is on appreciating non-linear dynamics; producing multiple cause diagrams, sign graphs and indicators; and the basics of communication with others.
Block 3: Understanding Organisations: Social Systems
This block shifts the focus of the course from ‘hard’ to ‘soft’ systems. It introduces the concepts of perspective, purpose and boundary through an appreciation of organisations as systems. You’ll be introduced to the practice of critiquing boundaries and purpose through the techniques of producing systems maps and stakeholder analysis. You’ll comment on other students’ work and report on the difference between your own perspective and that reached by others.
Block 4: Understanding Communities: Criminal Justice Systems
The final block returns to the analytical themes of the course and relates them to the central concept of the system. It focuses on a local context: crime in the community. You will undertake a group project, but a large part of the block comprises preparation for your individual end-of-course assessment (ECA). The ECA draws in the analytical and practical skills taught through the rest of the course, and gives students an opportunity to critically compare the application of different concepts and systems approaches.
Systems thinking entails a new way of looking at the world, and this shift in thinking can be challenging. Almost everyone finds it easier to learn by using the techniques, and by exchanging ideas and experiences with other students. So study time is set aside to interact with other students, and together to learn more about systems.
This is made possible through the T214 web pages, which provide conferencing facilities and interactive activities where you can post questions and tips about the course and about systems thinking in general. At the end of the first three blocks, this interaction will feed into the development of your tutor-marked assignment (TMA). During the final part of the course, you’ll use the skills that you have developed to analyse a complex situation as part of the ECA.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course, but no specific knowledge or skills are assumed apart from basic computer skills such as using Windows, simple word processing and being able to use the Web. There is no particular mathematical requirement.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
If you are new to computers and/or the internet, you might find it helpful to take the course Beyond Google: working with information online (TU120). If you are newly returned to study, you might find it helpful to read The Sciences Good Study Guide by Northedge, Thomas, Lane and Peasgood (The Open University, 1997).
Qualifications
T214 is a compulsory course in our
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04) (with Systems Practice)
- BSc (Honours) Computing and Systems Practice (B33)
T214 is an optional course in our
- BSc (Honours) Technology (B20)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (B24)
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Environmental Studies (B19)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation (B61)
- Advanced Diploma in Environmental Decision Making (C18)
- Diploma in Systems Practice (D42)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Diagramming is an important feature of systems work, and the course material makes considerable use of simple diagrams and animations, together with audio material. Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material will be available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
The course is a blend of online activities and text-based material. This is supported by a course guide, course books and readers, DVD-ROM, course website.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You will have the opportunity to interact with other students in your tutor group online.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
An undergraduate course in Business and Management , Computing and ICT and Engineering and Technology.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | T214 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 7 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-course assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Course
- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
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