This course is part of the Solving Complex Problems Specialization

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A/Professor Iain Hay

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Solving Complex Problems SpecializationMacquarie University

About this Course

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The second course of the specialization EVALUATING PROBLEMS will show you how humans think and how to utilize different disciplinary approaches to tackle problems more effectively.  It advances your knowledge of your own field by teaching you to look at it in new ways. 
EVALUATING PROBLEMS is constructed in the following way: Week I. “Thinking about Thinking” – How problem solving evolved in nature, how the mechanics of our brains work, and the psychological biases that can emerge when we think. Week II. “Philosophy, Science, and Problem Solving” – How humans have historically approached problem solving, from ancient times to the present. Week III. “Approaching Problems in the Natural Sciences” – How people in the natural sciences deconstruct problems. Week IV. “Statistics and Problem Solving” – How statistics can be used to evaluate problems and think critically. Week V. “Approaching Problems in the Humanities” – How people in the social sciences and humanities deconstruct problems. Week VI. “Evaluating the Anthropocene” – How to evaluate the problems of the Anthropocene.

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Course 2 of 4 in the

Solving Complex Problems Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 4 in the

Solving Complex Problems Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.66/5 (6 Ratings)

A/Professor Iain Hay

Director, Professional Learning and Engagement

Macquarie School of Education

128,979 Learners

8 Courses

Offered by

Macquarie University

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

The Evolution of Problem Solving

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 52 min), 14 readings, 2 quizzes

7 videos

Thinking About Thinking9mLogic, Induction, and Deduction6mProblem Solving in Nature9mUnderstanding the Vertebrate Brain6mThe Human Brain9mThe Bias of our Brains7mEvaluating Complex Problems3m

14 readings

Resources1mGlossary1mAssessment Overview for Course 2: Evaluating Problems5mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mGlossary1m

2 practice exercises

Multiple Choice - Mod. 130mShort writing for Module 1: Epistemology, logic, and problem solving1h

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Philosophy, Science, and Problem Solving

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 51 min), 13 readings, 2 quizzes

7 videos

Science and Truth6mAncient Graeco-Roman Problem Solving8mTraditional Chinese Philosophy and Problem Solving9mEnlightenment Approaches to Problem Solving7mThe Limits of Scientific Truth7mComplex Problems Beyond Science7mCulture and Problem Solving3m

13 readings

Resources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mGlossary1m

2 practice exercises

Multiple Choice - Mod. 230mShort writing for Module 2: Introduction to the history and philosophy of science1h

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Approaching Problems in the Natural Sciences

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 33 min), 11 readings, 2 quizzes

Week4

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Statistics and Problem Solving

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 45 min), 11 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Statistics and Problem Solving6mProbability10mUsing Statistics Effectively8mStatistics and Management8mStatistics and Economic Theory7mNavigating Complex Systems3m

11 readings

Resources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mGlossary1m

2 practice exercises

Multiple Choice - Mod. 430mShort writing for Module 4: Statistics and problem solving1h

Week5

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Approaching Problems in the Humanities

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 51 min), 15 readings, 2 quizzes

8 videos

Problem Solving in the Humanities6mHistorians and Problem Solving7mEvidence and Criminal Investigations6mLaw, Negotiation, and Problem Solving6mInternational Law and Problem Solving6mThe Creative Arts and Problem Solving6mProblem Solving Across Cultures6mScience and the Humanities4m

15 readings

Resources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mGlossary1m

2 practice exercises

Multiple Choice - Mod. 530mShort writing for Module 5: Approaching problems in the humanities1h

Week6

Week 6

4 hours to complete

Evaluating the Anthropocene

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 51 min), 13 readings, 4 quizzes

8 videos

The Problem of the Future5mHuman Complexity and Climate Stability8mThe Transition to a Sustainable Economy5mLaw and the Environment8mThe Politics of the Climate Crisis9mThe Nature of Artificial Intelligence6mEvaluating the Anthropocene3mThe Final Assignment3m

13 readings

Resources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mResources1mGlossary1mGlossary1m

3 practice exercises

Multiple Choice - Mod. 630mShort writing for Module 6: Problem solving in the Anthropocene1hReflections after completing Course 2: Evaluating Problems3m

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About the Solving Complex Problems Specialization

SOLVING COMPLEX PROBLEMS will teach you revolutionary new problem-solving skills. Involving lectures from over 50 experts from all faculties at Macquarie University, we look at solving complex problems in a way that has never been done before.

This specialization uses the framework of Big History which synthesizes knowledge across the sciences and the humanities, and provides a powerful foundation to think and research in new ways. Big History has been embraced as an important global framework by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Presentations at WEF by Professor David Christian, one of the creators of this specialization, have included ‘Interdisciplinary Approaches to Solving 21st Century Challenges’ (Davos 2012), ‘Big History for Big Picture Thinking’ (Davos 2014), and ‘Big History, Big Decisions’ (Tianjin 2014). In 2015, the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos had four sessions devoted to Big History including three interdisciplinary ‘Big History, Big Future’ panels on cooperation, innovation, and global growth and stability. These interdisciplinary discussion panels were the inspiration for this Solving Complex Problems Specialization.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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Evaluating Problems

About this Course