グローバルリーダー育成プログラム科目（GLC-II：複雑システム）

Week 1: Complex Systems Introduction In this course we will consider the nature of social systems through the lens of characteristics of complex systems. Students can recognize how complex behavior of systems can result from interactions among components that obey simple rules. We then focus on identifying real-world examples of complex social systems and analyze their components. Week 2: Systems Analysis I: Multiple Agents We will dive deeper into the study of systems, in particular system analysis using agents and their interactions. Students begin to explore the nature of complex systems by analyzing the components of complex social systems, and determining what kinds of interactions among components give rise to complex (as opposed to merely complicated) behavior in such systems. Week 3: Systems Analysis II: Levels of Analysis In this session, students learn to analyze complex systems at multiple levels. In so doing, they focus on identifying why multilevel analyses can illuminate phenomena and how such analyses can be used to understand complex social systems. Week 4: Emergent Properties Students examine emergent properties in complex systems by considering bird flocking behavior and discussing the conditions that give rise to emergent properties. Week 5: Emergence and Complexity Students continue to learn about the nature of emergence by distinguishing between ontological and epistemological emergence, and then consider the implications of epistemological emergence for predicting the behavior of social systems. Week 6: Complex Systems Analyses Students analyze complex systems based on the characteristics examined in the course so far, and also refine their analysis of a complex system of their choosing. Week 7: Causation in Complex Systems In this lesson students explore causation in complex systems. After considering forms of causal structure and causal reasoning, students apply these ideas by proposing detailed analyses and possible interventions in a complex social system. Week 8: Complex Causation In this lesson, students will identify feedback loops and understand their role in creating complex behavior. Students will also apply causal analyses to specific explanatory challenges. As a group, they will plan and strategize how they will approach the final assignment as a group. Week 9: Network Theory This lesson introduces network theory as a tool for describing and analyzing complex social systems. Students learn the basics of representing network relations visually and key concepts such as density, reachability, robustness, and flow. The idea that social systems can exhibit complex behavior as a result of network effects is introduced. Week 10: System Dynamics In this lesson we apply concepts from dynamical systems theory to the behavior of complex social systems, and practice using phase spaces and identifying attractors in these systems. Week 11: Ethical Framing In this session, students begin to learn how to recognize unfair practices and how to mitigate them. We address this topic by focusing on ethical reasoning about distributive justice. Week 12: Ethical Conflicts In this session, students apply skills in ethical reasoning to dilemmas related to distributive justice. They recognize ethical conflicts and resolve them by prioritizing ethical principles and by taking a complex systems perspective. Week 13: Synthesis This lesson serves as a summary of and conclusion to the course. Students extend their comprehension of the material by generating examples of how combinations of concepts and skills covered so far can be applied to novel challenges that arise in complex social systems.

This course adopts an active learning approach, encouraging students to engage proactively in their learning. Students must complete pre-class preparation, including assigned readings and other preparatory work, to engage meaningfully in class activities. Each session incorporates activities such as preparatory assessments, polls, and discussions, followed by interactive learning through group discussions, breakout activities, and synthesis exercises. Students will also complete both individual and group assignments designed to deepen their understanding through application and synthesis.

This course follows a five-point grading scale: A+, A, B, C, and F (Fail). Students who prefer a pass/fail grading option should enroll under the course code 7V0201003S-PF.

IMPORTANT Please do not wait for UTAS to open to register for this class. Only students enrolled in the Global Leadership Course (GLC-I: Leadership Foundation) are eligible for this course and will receive registration instructions via email from the GLP-I office in early March. To register, students must complete the email questionnaire and separately register on UTAS during the period specified by their college, faculty, or graduate school. Students should check their GLC-I grades upon release. While registration for GLC-II or Capstone (other GLP-I completion requirements, applicable for undergraduate students only) is possible before official grade publication, your registration will be canceled if you didn't take or failed GLC-I.