phe5stl systems thinking and leadership
SYSTEMS THINKING AND LEADERSHIP
PHE5STL
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Whether dealing with public health issues or trying to improve the performance of a hospital, many of the issues are complex, seemingly embedded within a web of interconnected and often contested causes. Push on one part of the system and something changes to counter the good work. Complexity is often used as shorthand for intractability. In this subject we consider if systems thinking provides the insights needed to grapple with complexity. Systems thinking is interested in the parts of a system and the connections among those parts, the structures established as a result of those connections and the behaviours those structures allow or discourage. Students examine the notion of systems, as an object of study and a way of thinking that changes the way we might look at health problems and work towards their solution, the language of systems, and its concepts, and some of the methods used to define issues, build consensus for action, and evaluate strategies to address problems.
SchoolSchool of Psychology & Public Health
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorAlan Shiell
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Systems science and population health | Prescribed | El-Sayed & Galea (2017) | Oxford University Press |
| Readings | Systems Approaches to Managing Change: A practical guide | Prescribed | Reynolds M, & Holwell S. (2010) | Springer |
| Readings | The Systems Thinking Playbook | Recommended | Sweeney LB & Meadows D. (2013) | Chelsea Green |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Employ systems concepts to contemporary public health / health management problems and illustrate how these concepts might alter the approach we take to improving health.
- Activities:
- Online lectures, tutorials, engagement with staff, reflection on case study materials, reading, interaction with peers and assessments
02. Discuss selected systems methods, identify their purposes, determine how they could be used in practice to improve decision-making.
- Activities:
- Online lectures, tutorials, engagement with staff, reflection on case study materials, reading, interaction with peers and assessments
03. Assess situations and recommend the best systems methods for analyzing, understanding and addressing the problem.
- Activities:
- Online lectures, tutorials, engagement with staff, reflection on case study materials, reading, interaction with peers and assessments
04. Compare and contrast different types of leadership and critique their role in addressing complex public health / health management challenges.
- Activities:
- Online lectures, tutorials, engagement with staff, reflection on case study materials, reading, interaction with peers and assessments
Subject options
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City Campus, 2019, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorAlan Shiell
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
Twelve 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
Twelve 2.0 hours tutorial per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mini exercises (1,500-words equivalent) | Covers understanding of basic concepts and methods, and the format allows for rapid feedback as subject unfolds | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| Paired group work (1,000-words equivalent, per student) | Demonstrate how to apply one of the covered systems methods to a contemporary health issue. | 30 | 02, 03 |
| Written report (3,000-words) | High quality written paper on the insights offered by systems thinking | 50 | 02, 03, 04 |
Online, 2019, Semester 2, Online
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorAlan Shiell
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
Twelve 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
Twelve 2.0 hours tutorial per study period on weekdays at night from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
"Scheduled online tutorial"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mini exercises (1,500-words equivalent) | Covers understanding of basic concepts and methods, and the format allows for rapid feedback as subject unfolds | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| Paired group work (1,000-words equivalent, per student) | Demonstrate how to apply one of the covered systems methods to a contemporary health issue. | 30 | 02, 03 |
| Written report (3,000-words) | High quality written paper on the insights offered by systems thinking | 50 | 02, 03, 04 |