PEAC 014. Systems Thinking for Social Change

"Systems Thinking for Social Change" is a new 0.5 credit course that aims to examine and explore the complex, often described as "wicked problem" ecosystems around difficult societal issues facing communities. By applying the principles and techniques of Systems Thinking approaches, students will reflect on the potential leverage points or nexus that might affect the greatest shift towards positive social impact if addressed through social innovation interventions. This kind of systems thinking analysis is often seen as the precurson to building social innovation solutions, such as prototypes for new processes, services, or products.

Learning goals will include:
-Develop a theoretical and practical understanding of systems and systems change and leverage these concepts for social impact.
-Learn to 'map the system' --i.e., accurately identify different elements within a system (system structure) and articulate connections and linkages between them.
-Understand how elements with systems change over time, generating patterns and behaviors.
-Develop the ability to consider ideas, challenges, and solutions from multiple perspectives (landscape scan, historical context, apprenticing with a problem).
-Identify possible levers of social change within reach.
-Critically reflect upon social change paths/levers (social service providers, social advocates, social explorers, social entrepreneurs).
-Consider short-term, long-term, and unintended consequences of actions for social change.
Catalog chapter: Peace and Conflict Studies
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/peace-conflict-studies

Access the class schedule to search for sections.

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