MS-E213601 - Special Topics in Decision Making (V) D: SystemsChange.now - Climate change as a systemic problem, Lectures, 19.1.2022-23.3.2022

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course consists of three main themes:

Theme 1: “Introduction to Systems Thinking” looks at what systems are and different ways in which they can be described.

Theme 2: “Earth Systems” delves into Earth System Science and the ways in which Climate Change is affecting the Earth seen as a system of interconnected spheres.

Theme 3: “Eco-Social Systems” focuses on humans as agents of change in systems that link individuals and groups of people with the environments they inhabit and depend upon.

After the course

1. Students will be able to justify why systems thinking is necessary to comprehend the implications of climate change and other global challenges, and relate them to changes in the Earth system and human eco-social systems.

2. Students will be able to apply, criticize and defend models to ask and test questions about the structures and dynamics of systems.

3. Students will be able to apply systems thinking in interdisciplinary collaboration and reflect on their personal role as a developing systems thinking expert.

4. Students will be able to reflect on the opportunities for intentional systems change and their own agency.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 19.01.2022 - 23.03.2022

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Antti Punkka, Ahti Salo, Sanna-Liisa Sihto-Nissilä

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

DETAILS

Study Material
Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    · the course is a master-level course, open to all students from Aalto University, Tampere University, University of Turku and University of Helsinki

    Course is also open for students from other universities of the Climate University network via cross-study agreement between these universities.


    · Teaching: 9 contact sessions of 3 hours in Zoom, one whole-day (6 h) seminar

    · Methods of study: contact sessions, online exercises, reading, home assignments, multidisciplinary online group work, peer evaluation, learning portfolio

    · Passing requirements: active participation in the contact sessions and group work, successful completion of online exercises, home assignments, peer evaluation and learning portfolio

    · Prerequisites: Climate University course Climate.now or Sustainable.now or corresponding basic knowledge on climate change and/or sustainability. The course is intended for master level or doctoral students.

    · By whom: the course is part of Climate University studies and is co-organized by Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Tampere University and University of Turku.

    Contact session schedule

    Contact sessions (in Zoom) on Wednesdays at 13-16 (first session on 19.1.)

    One all-day negotiation simulation in March (date to be specified later).

    Contact Session 1: Wed. 19 January, 13.15-16 – Course Introduction + Theme 1 intro

    Contact Session 2: Wed. 26 January, 13.15-16 – Theme 1

    Contact Session 3: Wed. 2 February, 13.15-16 – Theme 1

    Contact Session 4: Wed. 9 February, 13.15-16 – Theme 1

    Contact Session 5: Wed. 16 February, 13.15-16 – Theme 2

    No contact teaching 23 February due to Winter Skiing Holiday

    Contact Session 6: Wed. 2 March, 13.15-16 – Theme 2

    Contact Session 7: Wed. 9 March, 13.15-16 – Theme 3

    Contact Session 8: Wed. 16 March, 13.15-16 – Theme 3

    Contact Session 9: Wed. 23 March, 13.15-16 – Course conclusion

    Registration

    Course is open for all students of Aalto (master and doctoral level, from all schools).

    Registration is open from Wed 1.12.2021 to Mon 10.1.2022. Depending on the number of registered students, we may select students based on their background studies or the level of studies. The selection results will be notified to all registered students on January 11th.

    Students from Helsinki, Tampere and Turku Universities should register for the course in their own university’s course registration system.

    Course is open for students from other universities of the Climate University network via cross-study agreement between these universities. Registering for students from these universities: send email to Antti.Punkka@aalto.fi.

    Course codes and contact persons

    Aalto University: MS-E2136 Special Topics in Decision Making / Sanna-Liisa Sihto-Nissilä, Antti Punkka

    University of Helsinki: ATM379 Atmospheric science / Mikko Äijälä

    Tampere University: HALYAS14 Environmental policy / Elina Alatalo

    University of Turku: MAAN7741 Geography / Jukka Käyhkö

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