14910 - A Soft Systems Approach to Wicked Environmental Problems Modulübersicht
| Module Number: | 14910 |
| Module Title: | A Soft Systems Approach to Wicked Environmental Problems |
| Soft-Systems-Ansatz für Komplexe Umweltprobleme | |
| Department: | Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences |
| Responsible Staff Member: |
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| Language of Teaching / Examination: | English |
| Duration: | 1 semester |
| Frequency of Offer: | On special announcement |
| Credits: | 6 |
| Learning Outcome: | Learners will be able to distinguish between "tame" and "wicked" problems and understand why traditional, linear approaches are ineffective for the complex, ill-defined issues that characterize the latter. They will acquire a systems-based mindset, learning to view environmental challenges as interconnected wholes rather than isolated events. |
| Contents: | Part 1: Unpacking the "Wickedness" of Environmental Problems Part 2: The Systems Lens: Beyond Cause and Effect Part 3: Soft Systems Methodology: A Framework for Inquiry Part 4: Finding Out: The Art of the Rich Picture Part 5: Defining Purpose: Root Definitions and CATWOE Part 6: Building the Ideal: Conceptual Modeling Part 7: Analysis and Debate: Comparing Models with Reality Part 8: Identifying Desirable and Feasible Changes Part 9: Taking Action and Continuous Learning Part 10: Scaling Up: From Local Issues to Global Policy |
| Recommended Prerequisites: | None |
| Mandatory Prerequisites: | None |
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| Teaching Materials and Literature: | Rittel, H. W., & Webber, M. M. (1973). Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning. Policy Sciences, 4(2), 155–169. PLOS ONE. (n.d.). Land use changes in conflict-affected territories in Colombia involve a complex system where everything is connected to everything else. Recuperado de https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0269088 The OR Society. (2025). Soft Systems Methodology: An epistemology for a learning process and making sense through the flux of life. Recuperado de(https://www.theorsociety.com/ORS/ORS/Publications/Magazines/IOR/July-2025/SSM_Checkland.aspx) Better Evaluation. (n.d.). Rich pictures. Recuperado de https://www.betterevaluation.org/methods-approaches/methods/rich-pictures Burge Hughes Walsh. (n.d.). Root Definition Tool. Recuperado de(https://www.burgehugheswalsh.co.uk/Uploaded/1/Documents/Root-Definition-Tool-v1.pdf) Gasson, S. (n.d.). Deriving Conceptual Models. College of Computing & Informatics, Drexel University. Recuperado de(https://cci.drexel.edu/faculty/sgasson/SSM/Stage4.html) Taylor & Francis Group. (2021). Soft systems methodology is a well-known Problem Structuring Methods that has proven effective when tackling problematic situations. Taylor & Francis Group. Recuperado de https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01605682.2021.1880298 Taylor & Francis Group. (2021). Soft systems methodology is a well-known Problem Structuring Methods that has proven effective when tackling problematic situations. Taylor & Francis Group. Recuperado de https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01605682.2021.1880298 Taylor & Francis Group. (2021). Soft systems methodology is a well-known Problem Structuring Methods that has proven effective when tackling problematic situations. Taylor & Francis Group. Recuperado de https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01605682.2021.1880298 ResearchGate. (n.d.). Applying Systems-Based Approach to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recuperado de(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372483717_Applying_Systems-Based_Approach_to_Sustainable_Development_Goals_SDGs) |
| Module Examination: | Continuous Assessment (MCA) |
| Assessment Mode for Module Examination: | 3 Exercises (50%), oral presentation 20 min. (25%), short written examination 60 minutes (25%) |
| Evaluation of Module Examination: | Performance Verification – graded |
| Limited Number of Participants: | None |
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| Remarks: | None |
| Module Components: | Lecture |
| Components to be offered in the Current Semester: |