Sustainability through Soccer: Systems-Thinking in Action

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Sustainability through Soccer: Systems-Thinking in Action

Instructor: Leidy Klotz

5,312 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

7 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course takes learners on a journey through a progression of systems-thinking and sustainability concepts. Using the beautiful game of soccer (also known as football in many parts of the world) as an analogy, we'll work together to illuminate real-world interdependencies (such as between climate change and human rights), building the chain of concepts in a fun, accessible way. Soccer/Football nerds and newbies alike will be entertained and, ultimately, rewarded with the epiphanies that come from seeing in systems more clearly.

Those who complete the course will: create examples of systems parts, boundaries, and behaviors related to sustainability (and soccer/football); practice evaluating the sustainability of systems they care about using several complementary methods; generate ideas to improve the sustainability of a system they care about; and explain a mindset shift that would enhance the sustainability of a system they care about.

This section explains who I am, why I'm using soccer as a metaphor, systems and reductionist thinking and sustainability. This section also outlines the main parts of a system (elements, flows, stocks, feedback loops, and purpose).

What's included

8 videos3 readings3 assignments2 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 21 minutes

Why soccer?3 minutes
The Black Panther and The Sacred Monster4 minutes
Overlooked System Elements2 minutes
Physical Flows2 minutes
Information Flows2 minutes
Stocks2 minutes
Feedback Loops2 minutes
Purpose3 minutes

3 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Why me?10 minutes
Systems-Thinking for Sustainability15 minutes
System Parts: Elements, Flows, Stocks, Feedback Loops and Purpose15 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 86 minutes

Reductionist and Systemic Thinking, Sustainability and Soccer30 minutes
System Parts: Elements, Stocks, Flows, Feedback Loops and Purpose26 minutes
Reflection: How can you be successful in this course?30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Elements of a System10 minutes
Feedback Loops10 minutes

Our approach to sustainability depends on how we define our system boundaries. What must we consider? What can we leave out? And, what can we reasonably infer from the perspective we define? We will also dive into system behaviors in this section. With parts and boundaries defined, we can detect system-level behaviors and discover how they affect sustainability.

What's included

10 videos4 readings2 assignments4 discussion prompts

10 videosTotal 23 minutes

Space3 minutes
Time2 minutes
Detail3 minutes
Inputs and Outputs3 minutes
Insight2 minutes
Interdependence3 minutes
Thresholds2 minutes
Self-Organization2 minutes
Resilience2 minutes
Emergence2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 60 minutes

System Boundaries15 minutes
Level of Detail15 minutes
System Behaviors15 minutes
Interdependence15 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

System Boundaries30 minutes
System Behaviors30 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Space Boundaries10 minutes
Level of Detail10 minutes
Threshold Crossing10 minutes
Resilience10 minutes

To evaluate sustainability in our systems, and check our progress, there are properties to consider and methods to apply. Once we define and evaluate our systems, then we’re ready to create systems that are more sustainable.

What's included

12 videos4 readings2 assignments4 discussion prompts

12 videosTotal 27 minutes

Path Dependence3 minutes
Inertia3 minutes
Carrying Capacities2 minutes
The Five Whys3 minutes
Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)2 minutes
Biomimicry3 minutes
Closing Loops2 minutes
Adaptability2 minutes
Polycentrism2 minutes
Transparency2 minutes
Systematic Inequality2 minutes
Elegant Systems are Sustainable Systems2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Evaluating Sustainability Overview15 minutes
Path Dependence15 minutes
Creating Sustainable Systems Overview15 minutes
Closing Loops15 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Life Cycle Assessment - Your Footprint10 minutes
Creating Sustainable Systems30 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

The Five Whys10 minutes
Adaptability10 minutes
Transparency10 minutes
Elegant Systems10 minutes

There is no magical fix; pursuing sustainability is an endless quest of constant effort at the limits of our abilities, and that’s where the fun is.

What's included

3 videos2 readings1 peer review1 discussion prompt

3 videosTotal 7 minutes

Visioning3 minutes
Leverage Points2 minutes
Mindset2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 25 minutes

The Endless Quest10 minutes
Leverage Points and Women's Equality in Brazil15 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 30 minutes

What is your vision of a sustainable world in ten years and what can you do to get there?30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Vision10 minutes

Instructor

Leidy Klotz

University of Virginia

2 Courses5,385 learners

Offered by

University of Virginia

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