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ENVI-S171

System theory : from science to a sustainable society

année académique
2024-2025
2025-2026

Titulaire(s) du cours

Bertrand COLLIGNON (Coordonnateur)

Crédits ECTS

5

Langue(s) d'enseignement

anglais

Contenu du cours

The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of system theory and its relevance to creating a sustainable society, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to apply these concepts in their future careers.

The following topics will be covered during the course:
 

  1. Introduction to System Theory:

    • Understand the fundamental concepts and principles of system theory.

    • Explore the historical development and key contributors to the field.

  2. Sustainability and System Thinking:

    • Investigate the role of system thinking in promoting sustainability.

    • Examine how economic, social, and environmental systems are interconnected.

  3. Complex Systems and Dynamics:

    • Learn about complex systems, feedback loops, and dynamic behavior.

    • Use system dynamics modeling to simulate and predict outcomes.

  4. Policy and Decision-Making:

    • Understand how system theory can inform policy-making and strategic decisions.

    • Evaluate the impact of policies on different parts of a system and their long-term sustainability.

  5. Interdisciplinary Approach:

    • Encourage an interdisciplinary perspective by integrating insights from different disciplines.

Objectifs (et/ou acquis d'apprentissages spécifiques)

Develop the system thinking skills of the students.
Understanding the interconnectedness of human and natural systems.
Allowing the students to integrate different perspectives when developing a solution for a particular problem.

Pré-requis et Co-requis

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

 

Méthodes d'enseignement et activités d'apprentissages

Ex cathedra course (30 hours total) and practicals (12 hours in total)

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

 

Support(s) de cours

  • Université virtuelle

Contribution au profil d'enseignement

This course contributes to the following programme learning outcomes for the Bachelor's degree in economics (BA-ECONE):

Goal 1 Disciplinary knowledge and its applications
LO 1.1 Apply fundamental concepts, tools and models in economics and management to formulate a well-defined problem and propose a multidisciplinary solution relevant to the economic context.
LO 1.2 Integrate sustainable development in analyses.

Goal 2 Academic mindset
LO 2.1 Adopt a scientific approach to data collection, research and analysis and communicate results with clear, structured and sophisticated arguments.
LO 2.2 Display critical thinking, logical and abstract reasoning and develop an independent approach to learning.

Goal 3 Quantitative skills
LO 3.1 Solve standard mathematical and statistical problems by analysing data with standard office and statistical software

Goal 4 Professional skills
LO 4.2 Recognize ethical dilemmas and contribute to solving them

This course contributes to the following programme learning outcomes for the Bachelor's degree in business engineering (BA-INGEE):

Goal 1 Disciplinary knowledge and its applications
LO 1.1 Apply fundamental concepts, tools and models in economics and management to formulate a well-defined problem and propose a multidisciplinary solution.
LO 1.3 Integrate sustainable development in analyses.

Goal 2 Academic mindset
LO 2.1 Adopt a scientific approach to data collection, research and analysis and communicate results with clear, structured and sophisticated arguments.
LO 2.2 Display critical thinking, logical and abstract reasoning and develop an independent approach to learning.

Goal 3 Quantitative skills
LO 3.1 Apply quantitative and qualitative techniques to support problem solving using standard office and scientific software

Goal 4 Professional skills
LO 4.2 Recognize ethical dilemmas and contribute to solving them

Autres renseignements

Informations complémentaires

 

Contacts

Bertrand Collignon (coordinator) : bertrand.collignon@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

  • Examen écrit
  • Examen oral

Examen écrit

  • Question ouverte à réponse courte
  • Question ouverte à développement long
  • Question fermée à Réponses Multiples (QRM)

Examen oral

  • Examen avec préparation
  • Question ouverte à réponse courte
  • Question ouverte à développement long


The written exam is mandatory. After receiving their grades for the written exam, students have the opportunity to attend an oral exam where they can score half of the points that they did not get at the written exam. The points of the oral exams are added to the results of the written exam.

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

The final grade of the course is given by the results of the written exam plus the results of the oral exam for the students who decide to attend it.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

  • anglais

Programmes