European Union Credit (ECTS): Ask us about taking this seminar for ECTS. If interested email us: contact@gcas.ie

Description:

This short seminar lecture series will explain the core concepts of systems theory through an introduction to Niklas Luhmann’s systems-theoretical approach to sociology. We will focus especially on developing modes of diagrammatic expression for the main concepts of systems theory and applying these in a variety of disciplinary contexts.

Academic Level: (Year 1 MA)

Prerequisites: Post-Graduate Enrolled Researcher, BA-MA Researcher or else you must be approved by the Chancellor.

Required Texts: 

(listed in order of course topics)

N. Luhmann, trans. P. Gilgen, “Introduction to Systems Theory” (Polity 2013)

N. Luhmann, trans. J. Bednarz, Jr. and D. Baecker, “Social Systems” (Stanford 1995)

Learning and Teaching Methods:

Lecture

Discussion

Written Examination

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Ability to analyze a wide variety of phenomena in terms of general systems theory

Apply systems theory in an interdisciplinary way

Understand the core ideas of N. Luhmann’s systems-theoretical sociology

Develop skills in coordinating writing and diagrammatic expression

Assessments:

The student will be assessed in all aspects of this course through the following means:

Written Examination:

1,000 word Research Response Paper on the topic about which this seminar was given. This paper is due no later than 29 April, 2020. Please turn your papers in via the Google Classroom platform. 

A Research Response Paper is a document written by a researcher that engages in one or two key concepts or figures discussed in the seminar. We strongly encourage the writer to use this assignment to extend their own on-going research (MA-thesis or PhD-dissertation) by deepening their analysis through the insights this seminar brings to the fore. We recognize this may not always apply to every researcher in which case this assignment should be completed within the scope of the figures and concepts around which this series is delivered. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Prof. Tohmé, Prof. Gangle or your supervisor. 

Schedule:

SUNDAYS @ 3PM EASTERN

2021

March 21: Live Free Public Lecture via this link.

April 11: General Systems Theory: Operational Closure, Autopoiesis, Structural Coupling

April 18: General Systems Theory: Observation, Complexity, Time

April 25: Social Systems: Communication and Action

May 2: Social Systems: Meaning and Rationality