Introducing Sustainability Concepts Into University Curricula Through Systems Thinking

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the major issues involved in introducing sustainability concepts into university curricula in an interdisciplinary manner, through Systems Thinking. It is generally accepted that a holistic approach is essential in sustainability studies, but teaching such a new and complex topic to a diverse student population is by no means easy. In this study, sustainability is viewed in the context of Systems Thinking, particularly in Complexity Management domain. A general framework is proposed with the intension of guiding potential instructors who are planning to teach sustainability through Systems Thinking. The framework includes only the suggested systems‐oriented material and a review of some system methodologies; it does not cover sustainability issues. Methodologies known as System Dynamics and Soft Cybernetics are explored and emphasized particularly in the paper due to their importance. The framework is kept general enough so that it appeals to students and instructors with a variety of background. Sustainable development (SD) and its education at universities have been gaining increasing attention in the last years throughout the world. Organizations of all kinds have started attaching more importance on sustainable operations nowadays. Consequently, universities are expected to prepare students who have the ability to integrate social, political, environmental, and economic considerations so that they can make sound decisions. It should be noted that the significance of sustainability is not limited to teaching; there are some studies that go beyond teaching the subject matter and attempt to integrate SD into the functions of faculty and staff. For instance, Sammalisto, Sundstrom, and Holm (2015) examined the integration issues and proposed that SD orientation should be integrated into all university activities and an innovative educational systems thinking paradigm should be established.