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Courses: SYSC 513: Systems Approach Fall 2008

Systems Science Ph.D. Program, PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
George Lendaris 206 Harder House (10th & Market) (503)725-4988 lendaris@sysc.pdx.edu

Summary:

This course provides a practitioner-oriented definition of systems, including the importance of observer dependence and context, and ideas of meta-systems, subsystems (Lendaris); philosophical foundations, human dimensions, value systems and associated optimization/sub-optimization, casuistry, aspects of life-cycle project management, and economic decision making (Hall); inquiring systems (Mitroff & Turoff); key aspects of human learning organizations, systems thinking, and systems modeling (Senge); qualitative tools for the systems practitioner, including various graphical tools (Delp); and the multiple perspectives aspect of the systems approach, both "horizontal" and "vertical" (Lendaris, Hall, and Linstone).

This course fulfills a core SySc requirement.

Course Syllabus:

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Course Schedule:

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Assignments:

SYSC 513 Fall 2008 Assignments

Readings - .pdf files on course Website:

    Chaper 17 of Senge First Edition: "Microworlds"

    Prerequisites:

    • Graduate status or permission of the instructor.

    Teaching Style:

    • Students read assigned papers and prepare "Cognitive Maps" as described in the Learning Thru Discussion text. Students participate actively in class discussions, including playing a leadership role.Sample Cognitive Map

    Grade basis:

    • Homework 1/3
    • Class Participation 1/3
    • Final Exam (take-home) 1/3