An Approach to Systems Thinking 

Topical Outline/Class Schedule 

System Thinking Basics From - Concepts to Causal Loops; (STB) Anderson and Johnson, Pegasus Communications, Cambridge, Massachusetts (1997) Textbook

9/7 Class 1 What Are Systems and What is Systems Thinking?. 

STB – Sections 1-2 

Read: "The Beginning of System Dynamics", Jay W. Forrester 

Read: "Systems Thinking Four Key Questions", by Barry Richmond 

9/14 Class 2 Uncovering Systemic Structures 

STB – Sections 3-4 

Read: "Systems thinking: critical thinking skills for the 1990’s and beyond" by Barry Richmond System Dynamics Review Vol 9, no. 2(Summer 1993):113 –133. 

9/21 Class 3 Management Simulation. 

9/28 Class 4 Complex Systems
STB – Section 5 
Read: "Teaching Takes Off, Flight Simulators For Management Education", Prof. John Sterman 

Read: "Learning in and about complex systems" by John D. Sterman, System Dynamics Review Vol. 10, nos. 2-3 (Summer – Fall 1994):291 330 

Read: "Let's just Get On With It", by Barry Richmond 

Read: Chapter 1 in System Dynamics Methods(all chapters) (SDM), by Craig W. Kirkwood (Optional)

10/5 Class 5 Applying Systems Thinking and Systems Archetypes.
STB – Section 6 and Appendix D 

Read: "Simulating Hamlet in the Classroom", (Pamela Hopkins) 

Read: "Introduction to Systems Thinking Guide, Chapter 1", by Barry Richmond, HPS 

Read: "Problems with causal-loop diagrams" by George P. Richardson, System Dynamics Review 2 (no. Summer1986):158-170 

10/12 Class 6 Getting Started With Stocks and Flows. 

Read: "The First Step", (Leslie A. Martin) 

Read: "Formulating Models of Simple Systems Using Vensim PLE", by Professor Nelson Repenning
Read: "Introduction to Systems Thinking Guide, Chapter 2", by Barry Richmond, HPS 

Read: SDM, Chapter 2 (Optional)

10/19 Class 7 Basic Functions With Stocks and Flows.
Read: "Dynamic Simulation Models: How Valid Are They?" by Raymond C. Shreckengost 

Read: "An Introduction to Feedback" by Leslie A. Martin, October 24, 1997, MIT 

Read: SDM, Chapter 4 (Optional)

10/26 Mid-Term Exam (Open Book) In Class 

Class 8 Working With Stocks and Flows 

Read: SDM, Chapter 5 (Optional)

11/2 ******************** No Class Work on Term Projects

11/9 Class 9 Student Presentations and Additional Work With Stocks and Flows. 
Read: "A Skeptic’s Guide to Computer Models" by John D. Sterman, In Barney, G. O. et al. (eds.), Managing a Nation: The Microcomputer Software Catalog. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 209- 229. An earlier version of this paper also appeared in Foresight and National Decisions: The Horseman and the Bureaucrat (Grant 1988). 

11/16 Class 10 Student Presentations and Additional Work With Stocks and Flows. 

11/23 Final Exam Due (Take Home).