Systems Thinking for Sustainability

Systems thinking is used in diverse fields, from arts to engineering, to understand how components interact in complex ways. Systems thinking can be used to quantify and understand the movement of mass and energy in Earth’s climate system, or to inform decision-making by governments or communities. Earth system scientists use a systems approach to understand the structure, functions and feedbacks among the earth’s anthrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, pedosphere and cryosphere. Economists use systems thinking to maximize the impact of sustainable development decisions. Geographers use systems thinking to identify the effects urban transport systems have on communities. Learning how to identify and model the properties and processes at work within a system helps us make a difference and achieve sustainability goals. In this 200-level course, students will develop understanding of the way systems thinking is used in sustainability studies, including in local, regional and international contexts. Students are introduced to some of the strengths, limitations and major challenges inherent in this approach to helping us address complex interdisciplinary problems.

15 points

SENS101

Environmental Economics

Economic theory and tools will be applied to the study of the environment and policy. In particular this course will examine how economists look for least cost ways of achieving environmental objectives even if those objectives are not set according to cost benefit analysis. This course will examine how market, incentive based regulatory mechanisms affect environmental outcomes and how the economy and the environment interact.

15 points

ECON104

Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management

An introductory course in OM which provides an overview of topics fundamental to Supply Chain Management: operations strategy, strategic capacity planning, logistics, facility location, data management and forecasting. Ideas from these topics are then integrated via the playing of The Supply Chain Game.

15 points

(1) MGMT100 or MGMT170; and (2) STAT101

MSCI270, MSCI220

Managing Corporate Responsibility

In pursuing the ethical basis for business policy and practice, we will look at changing notions of corporate performance. Participants will address such issues as: What is success in business? What good does business do and how does it do it? What are major causes of the breakdown of business ethics? We will also study the practice of business ethics, with the aim to expand capacity for moral inquiry, dialogue, and decision making in ways that will be useful in your professional and civic lives.

15 points

(1) MGMT230; and (2) Any 45 points at 200-level or above. RP: BSNS201

Social and Environmental Reporting

A study of forms of non-financial accounting; possibilities and limitations; philosophies behind different accounts - especially sustainability accounts and intellectual capital statements; reasons for non-financial accounting; problems such accounts can contribute to solve.

15 points

Any 45 points at 200-level or above.

ACIS340, AFIS340