PADM 5443 - Systems Thinking for Executives I

(KCM-HE)

Spring. 1 credit. Letter grades only.

Enrollment limited to: EMPA students.

D. Cabrera, L. Cabrera.

This course serves as an introduction to systems thinking methods and technical tools that are foundational to all other advanced Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) coursework. This course focuses on answering three essential questions: (1) Why does systems thinking exist (i.e., its promise and popularity)? (2) What is systems thinking? (3) How do we do systems thinking? We also explore two subsequent questions: (4) How do we apply systems thinking to personal mastery and professional development? (5) How do we apply systems thinking to the social and policy challenges we face?

Outcome 1: Students will demonstrate a deep understanding of systems thinking and its application to public sector planning and management issues.

Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate proficiency with systems thinking modeling techniques.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to tackle complex problems from multiple perspectives that can get in the way of policy analysis, planning, evaluation, leadership, and management.