2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5385M Systems Thinking and Consulting Practice

15 creditsClass Size: 55

Module manager: Dr. Matthew Davis
Email: M.Davis@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module focuses on the theoretical foundations and practical applications of systems thinking across a wide range of problem domains, including IT systems, pro-environmental behaviour, workspace design, tele-health and crowds. The module will last for 3.5 days and will include practical examples and case studies. It will be assessed by group assignment that requires you to work in multi-disciplinary teams to analyse a business problem or event. Throughout the module, you will be challenged to apply the theories and concepts to practical problems and to identify the practical insights this affords consulting practice.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to introduce students to key ideas, theories and concepts in the domain of systems thinking. The module aims to use practical tasks, group case study analysis, discussion and case examples to support students in applying a socio-technical systems framework to a variety of application domains. The module also aims to provide an insight into how organizational practice and consulting can be improved with systems thinking. This module offers students the opportunity to develop skills in applying systems thinking to contemporary business problems.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to critically evaluate:
- Key ideas, theories and concepts in the domain of systems thinking
- Linkages between human factors, psychology, management and technical aspects of complex systems
- How organizational practice and consulting can be improved with systems thinking

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Subject specific
- Apply systems theory as part of consulting practice, to diagnose a range of problems

Transferable
- Work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team

Syllabus

Indicative content, the syllabus comprises:
- History of systems thinking
- Socio-Technical Systems Thinking
- Benefits of a systems framework for organizational practice and consulting
- Systems thinking applied to a range of domains, including:
New Technology and Organizational Change
Pro-Environmental Behaviour
Workspace Design
Crowd Behaviour and Management
Tele-health
- Group Presentations

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	1	3.00	3.00
Workshop	6	2.00	12.00
Lecture	6	1.50	9.00
Private study hours			126.00
Total Contact hours			24.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

The contact hours will include taught lectures, group learning and discussions, and interactive case study examples. The non-contact hours will comprise students’ private study and independent learning, including: subject matter readings, both prior to and during the module; preparation for the plenary discussions and case studies; research and collaboration for the group assignment; independent research of the business context and problem for the individual assignment (15 credit version only); and additional private study to further their own knowledge and understanding of the topics.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The module team will facilitate and monitor all group learning sessions (i.e., case studies, group work and discussions), enabling the progress of both the groups and the individual students to be assessed. The interspersed presentation of the case studies and accompanying plenary discussions will also enable feedback to be provided throughout the module (both by the module team and by the students themselves), helping the students to continually enhance their performance over the course of the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Group Project	Written report and PowerPoint presentation	35.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		35.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	65.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		65.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/08/2016

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