This course develops skills for real world problem solving that are increasingly important in today’s world. It is a workshop-based, solutions-oriented course. Students and faculty from a range of disciplines, work with community stakeholders and decision-makers to collaboratively design whole-system solutions. The course develops students’ capacity for systems thinking within a structured problem-solving working environment typical of modern work settings. The course uses collaborative methods to develop solutions to complex, topical research, policy and management challenges. The five main areas of learning include: (1) transdisciplinary and systems-oriented thinking around real world problems; (2) community/client involvement and stakeholder participation; (3) understanding the importance of problem framing a part of developing strategies and solutions (4) adaptive management and flexible working groups; and (5) appropriate and practical communication of results.
The course addresses a different problem from year to year and some topics may be repeated in subsequent years if appropriate. Course topics speak to the most relevant and timely problems, and will be decided in consultation with the Resources, Environment and Development group in the Crawford School. Examples of previous problems that have been addressed include: scenario planning for Australia, measuring sustainable human well-being, payment for ecosystem services, management and the valuation of coastal ecosystems, integrated watershed management, and overcoming institutional roadblocks to sustainability.
The first half of the course is dedicated to ensuring that the students understand the background of the problem, and how problem-framing can incorporate multiple perspectives. This part of the course is run like a traditional course with lectures, activities, discussion, assigned readings, guest lecturers, and understanding the tools used in the area, like model conceptualization.
The second half of the course is an adaptive ‘design studio’ where students, faculty and stakeholders work together to creatively design solutions. The typical process involves a cycle of group discussion of possible solutions, initial exploration of these ideas by subgroups, group evaluation of the ideas, and revision or exploration of new ideas based on the evaluation.
The group outputs are documents that can take the form of journal articles, newspaper articles, blog posts, reports, or book chapters, and are prepared to a publishable standard. To follow through with publication, the documents would typically need to undergo further revision after the course ends. The course assessment is divided between individually assessed items (50%) and group assessments (50%)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Critically analyse the problem from a transdisciplinary and systems-oriented perspective
- Analyse the role of stakeholders and develop strategies to work with them on real world problems.
- Exhibit problem-solving skills including problem definition and determining a strategy for working towards a solution
- Work collaboratively with groups to address complex, real world problems
- Identify appropriate media for communication of results and write persuasively for them.
Indicative Assessment
- 20% – two quizzes to test competence on the class readings. [Individual mark] (20) [LO null]
- 10% – participation in class discussions, activities, and group work — 5% instructor, 5% peer evaluated. [Individual mark (10) [LO null]
- ]20% – reflective summary of individual learning from the 5 main elements of the course experience (see course description). [Individual mark] (20) [LO null]
- 40% – contributions to preparing group documents for presentation and publication. Papers for eventual publication describing the process and product are planned. Effort equivalent to one 3000-word essay per student. [Group mark] (40) [LO null]
- 10% – presentation of final results to the class. [Group mark] (10) [LO null]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
ASQO updated 04.11.2018
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
Varies depending on the problem being addressedPreliminary Reading
Varies depending on the problem being addressedFees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5460 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4841 | 25 Feb 2019 | 04 Mar 2019 | 31 Mar 2019 | 31 May 2019 | In Person | View |
| 4891 | 25 Feb 2019 | 04 Mar 2019 | 31 Mar 2019 | 31 May 2019 | In Person | N/A |
