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Unit of study_

SMBA6120: Nature of Systems

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Normal day] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

This unit aims to equip students with new ways of conceptualising complex enterprise problems using systems approaches to identify innovative solutions. Topics covered include central concepts of systems thinking; social systems and networks; causal loop diagrams, feedback loops and interventions; robustness, resilience and catastrophes. This unit provides students with an opportunity to develop a multi-level perspective to complex issues, apply theoretical concepts of complex systems thinking to a range of practical challenges and integrate the expertise of multidisciplinary teams to identify novel solutions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SMBA6120
Academic unit Management Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
SMBA6001
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Fabian Held, fabian.held@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Causal Loop Diagrams
n/a
5% Week 03
Due date: 11 Aug 2020 at 17:00
1 Diagram
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Small continuous assessment Weekly Reflections
n/a
20% Week 07
Due date: 20 Sep 2020 at 23:59
4 x 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Describe an Intervention
n/a
30% Week 10
Due date: 06 Oct 2020 at 17:00
8 min video presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Collaboration Process Document
n/a
5% Week 11
Due date: 10 Oct 2020 at 23:59
4 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO8
Assignment Reflection
n/a
40% Week 12
Due date: 17 Oct 2020 at 23:59
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO8
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Causal Loop diagram: Exercise the initial steps of developing a systems perspective on a wicked problem.

Weekly reflections: Revisit weekly lecture content by developing your own multiple choice questions.

Describe and intervention: Student teams present their recommendations on how to tackle a complex health problem.

Collaboration process document: Groups summarise their collaboration processes.

Final reflections: Reflecting on your role and contribution in the team you develop practical steps to improve your future experience.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1.Introduction 2.Examples of complex systems approaches Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 02 1.Emergence and self-Organisation 2.Introduction to Agent-Based Modelling Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 03 Feedback in systems: Causal Loop Diagrams Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 04 1.Systems Dynamics 2.Computer simulation and experiments Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 05 1.Design and its consequences 2.Behavioural economics Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 06 1.Social networks 2.Teams and organisations as systems 3.Reflections for professional development Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 07 Applications of Systems Thinking; Project workshops Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 08 Applications of Systems Thinking; Project workshops Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 09 Applications of Systems Thinking; Project workshops Block teaching (4 hr)  
Week 10 Project videos on complex systems interventions Block teaching (4 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

  • Uhl-Bien, M., Marion, R., & McKelvey, B. (2007). Complexity Leadership Theory: Shifting leadership from the industrial age to the knowledge era. The Leadership Quarterly, 18(4), 298–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2007.04.002
  • North, M. J., & Macal, C. M. (2007). The ABMS Paradigm In: Managing Business Complexity. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195172119.001.0001
  • Morecroft, J. D. W. (2015). Strategic Modelling and Business Dynamics + Website: A Feedback Systems Approach. (Chapter 2; optional: 3 and 7)
  • Edmondson, A. C. (1999). Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999
  • Pentland, A. (2012). "The new science of building great teams." Harvard Business Review 90(4): 60-69.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Develop multi-level analyses of complex causal drivers to identify to inform decision making in complex environments
  • LO2. Characterise feedback effects in dynamic systems to identify effective points of leverage to complex business and management problems.
  • LO3. Develop constructive solutions to complex problems by targeting systemic enablers and barriers
  • LO4. Specify the requirements for computational tools to analyse and evaluate challenges facing contemporary organisations.
  • LO5. Clearly articulate well reasoned and informed responses to challenges facing their organization and the broader society, supported by the effective use of appropriate technology
  • LO6. Integrate the expertise of multidisciplinary teams and draw on the strengths of peers with different backgrounds and talents to design innovative solution.
  • LO7. Assess the direct and indirect impact of managerial and business decisions to contribute to the effective and socially responsible management of their organisations
  • LO8. Reflect on their role and contribution to collaborative projects to develop effective and socially aware leadership capabilities.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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