Universities serve to make students think: to resolve problems by argument supported by evidence; not to be dismayed by complexity, but bold in unravelling it'.  (What are universities for? by Geoffrey Boulton and Colin Lucas).   This course takes up this challenge by offering latter year students from any part of the ANU the opportunity to explore a series of complex issues. The connections between economic, historical, social, legal, scientific, engineering and environmental and moral dimensions of complex problems will be explored.    

The course will examine the linked themes of  'collapse' and 'resilience'.  Case studies will include global financial crises, the collapse of empires, contemporary 'failing' states, pandemics, engineering and network failures and the moral and legal dimensions of these issues.  

Enrolment process:

A maximum of 4 students per College selected on basis of outstanding results and interest in and commitment to working in policy areas.   

Any students interesting to do this course, please email Panit.Thamsongsana@anu.edu.au with the following info:

• Name and U No
• A short statement of why they wish to do the course

1. Enhanced ability to analyse complex issues;
2. Knowledge of different methodologies for analysing complex issues;
3. Ability to apply more than one method in order to unravel complex issues.

1. Reflective learning portfolio that also includes evidence of preparation for each of the student runs seminars/tutorials.  40%

2. Prepare and give a policy briefing paper to ‘minister' or ‘senior public servants' in a role-play on complex real world contemporary problem. This will be done in multi-disciplinary groups at short notice to simulated working in policy areas. 20%

3. Facilitating a tutorial/seminar to maximise your classmates learning.  20%

4. Individual five minute talk to your tutorial group on what course has taught you about unravelling a complex issue in your discipline.  10%

5. Tutorial group collaboration via a wiki to document key tutorial outcomes (same mark for everyone in your totorial).  10%

4 hours contact a week, 6 hours independent learning a week

At the discretion of each College

This course allows students to explore the ability to analyse complex issues, knowledge of different methodologies and ability to apply more than one method in order to unravel complex issues.

• Bammer, Gabriele and Michael Smithson 2008, Uncertainty and risk: multidisciplinary perspectives, Earthscan
• Bar-Yam, Yaneer 2004, Making things work: solving complex problems in a complex world, NECSI Knowledge Press
• Harris, Graham 2007, Seeking sustainability in an age of complexity, Cambridge University Press
• Mitchell, Melanie 2009 Complexity a guided tour, Oxford University Press
• Examples of student learning portfolios at http://fennerschool-people.anu.edu.au/richard_baker/examples/portfolios/index.html

Lecture theatre with digital audio (and if possible video) recording facilities