Environmental problems emerge from complex interactions between biophysical processes and human actors. Achieving sustainable futures requires understanding these systems and designing responses that take them into account.

Advanced systems thinking and modelling tools are introduced to understand complex human-environment systems and to design strategies for achieving sustainable futures. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are covered. During the course, these methods are applied to cases including fisheries, agricultural communities, biodiversity conservation, food systems and climate change. The course aims to build skills for both research and professional settings.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand key current environmental issues and their implications across Australia and globally.
2. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the conceptual foundations of systems thinking.
3. Apply appropriate systems methods to environmental problems in research and professional context.
4. Develop responses to environmental problems using systems methods.

Field Trips

n/a

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional costs.

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

There is no prescribed text for this course. Please refer to the course WATTLE site for readings. Once enrolled, please complete any pre-reading before the relevant lecture

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Delivery/Timetabling advice:

• Before mid-semester break: Two 3-hour sessions per week
• After mid-semester break: One 3-hour session per week 

Each 3 hr block is a mixture of lecture and tutorial. Typically 1 hr lecture and 2 hr tutorial, but may vary by session. 

Contact hours are more intensive in the first half of semester to give you more time to complete the assignment. 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and Mapping systems	Learning Portfolio
2	Networks and Causal loop diagramsCase: Forests	Learning Portfolio
3	Mental modelsCase: Agriculture	Learning Portfolio
4	Quantitative modellingCase: Climate change	Learning Portfolio
5	Model DataCase: Fisheries	Learning Portfolio
6	Critical systems theory, resilience and tipping pointsCase: Cities	Learning PortfolioProject proposal
7	Experiences from applying systems thinking (guest lecture)
8	Progress presentations	Progress presentations
9	Progress presentations	Progress presentations
10	Agent-based modelling (guest lecture)
11	Contingency week
12	Course recap	Project report

Tutorial Registration

Separate registration to tutorials is not required.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Learning Portfolio, including individual reflections, a groupwork product, a computer-based analysis and an interview-based analysis.	30 %	05/09/2024	12/09/2024	1,2,3,4
Systems thinking project: project proposal	10 %	30/08/2024	06/09/2024	1,2
Systems thinking project: progress presentation	10 %	03/10/2024	10/10/2024	3
Systems thinking project: final report	50 %	25/10/2024	01/12/2024	3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Missing more than two classes will require a medical certificate or prior permission from the course convener. 

Examination(s)

N/A

Assessment Task 1

Learning Portfolio, including individual reflections, a groupwork product, a computer-based analysis and an interview-based analysis.

6 weekly assignment and/or reflection pieces (Weeks 1-6 of semester).

Exact task depends on the week, with instructions released each week on Wattle.

Due: 2 pm on the following Thursday (immediately before start of that day's class)

Value: 30% (6 x 5%)

Please note: Due date indicated in the table on this summary indicates the date of the last learning portfolio component. Please consult the course Wattle site for full submission date information.

Assessment Task 2

Systems thinking project: project proposal

Assessment tasks 2, 3 and 4 develop a project consisting of a systems analysis on an environmental problem of your choice. 

• The analysis should incorporate both human and biophysical components of the problem. 
• The report should include both understanding the system and identifying possible actions. 
• You may use any method or combination of methods presented during the course. Selection of an appropriate method for the environmental problem and stated objectives will be a key grading criterion. 
• You are encouraged to choose a problem based on your own interests and experience. If you are struggling to identify a suitable case study, please contact convenor for assistance before the end of week 4. 

Examples of projects could include: 

• Interview a stakeholder in an environmental problem, construct a causal loop diagram (CLD) or fuzzy cognitive map (CLD/FCM), and analyse the CLD/FCM for leverage points. Note! Any data collection should exclude sensitive personal information or vulnerable participants e.g. children, Indigenous. 
• Perform literature review on an environmental problem, construct a CLD/FCM, analyse the CLD/FCM for leverage points. 
• Construct a stock-and-flow model of an environmental problem and investigate different policies 
• Find an existing system dynamics model for the environmental problem and analyse it for leverage points across all levels of Meadows’ typology. 

Assessment task 2 is a project proposal including a description of project methods and data of maximum 600 words plus a project plan. For more information see the course's Wattle site.

Value: 10%

Due: Friday 5pm of Week 6

Assessment Task 3

Systems thinking project: progress presentation

This assessment task is a 5-10 minute presentation reporting on the progress of the project proposed in Task 2. It should include description of progress against the plan proposed in Task 2 and any changes to that plan. For marking criteria see the course's Wattle site.

Value: 10%

Due: Students will be assigned to present in either weeks 8 or 9 of the course. Presentation file should be uploaded in Wattle the day before the presentation.

Assessment Task 4

Systems thinking project: final report

This assessment task is a 3000 word final report on the project discussed in Assessment Tasks 2 and 3. For marking criteria see the course's Wattle site.

Value: 50%

Due: Friday 5pm of Week 12

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assessment returned via Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students