Leading In A Complex World

Subject MULT30014 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 48 hours (Lectures: 1 hour per week, Tutorials: 3 hours per week)
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: 150 credit points of undergraduate study
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:
  • Ability to work in groups
  • Knowledge of sustainability principles
  • Ability to reflect
  • Writing, speaking and research skills
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Assoc Prof Roger Hadgraft

roger.hadgraft@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

How do you develop personal and professional practice that actively contributes to creating sustainable environments for future generations? This subject will prepare you for work and broader life challenges, where you may be called upon to lead or manage what are often called ‘wicked problems’. Examples include challenges in the areas of sustainable resource, energy and water production and usage; restoring and improving urban infrastructure; responding to climate variability. In these situations there are incomplete or contradictory requirements that are interdependent.Further, the range of stakeholders will likely have very different views of the ‘problem’ and will tend to change their minds with emerging circumstances. The ‘problem definition’ may not be agreed until a solution is formulated and attempts to solve these types of problems typically cause further ramifications

Through a four stage process, you will work with other students in your tutorial class to explore a problem from various stakeholder perspectives and from various disciplinary perspectives. You will then consider a range of “solutions” in order to make a recommendation for action
Objectives: On completion of this subject students should be able to:
  • show evidence of grappling with complex problems through the lenses of your own and others perspectives
  • demonstrate increasing self-awareness, including being able to articulate the things that shape your thinking
  • demonstrate tolerance and awareness of other viewpoints, including to create new viewpoints (different foci, criteria)
  • demonstrate confidence and flexibility in dealing with uncertainty
  • demonstrate learning consultative skills with stakeholders
  • demonstrate the ability to make a case and lead taking into account your own and others’ perspectives
  • demonstrate the use and integration of the knowledge developed over the course of your degree
Assessment:
  • Weekly Reflective Journal entry plus 1,000 word review of learning, reviewed in weeks 6 & 12 (20%)
  • Stakeholder & Methods Research, presentation of 1,000 word stakeholder analysis in week 4 (20%)
  • Discipline & Methods Research, presentation of 1,000 word discipline analysis in week 8 (20%)
  • Discussion of deliberative processes and judgement making, active participation & 1,000 word report of process in week 11 (20%)
  • Active participation in studio/workshop processes in weeks 1-12 (20%)
Prescribed Texts: TBA
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Leadership potential through practising, initiating and implementing constructive change
  • Approaches to dealing with uncertainty
  • Knowledge across and between the disciplines
  • Understanding of social and cultural diversity – including Indigenous cultures; valuing different cultures
  • Global citizenship skills by advocating for improving the sustainability of the environment

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