Understanding the environment: Flows and feedback

This course aims to help learners understand the environment by exploring concepts such as systems thinking, positive and negative feedback, dynamic equilibrium, and information flows. By the end of the course, students will be able to represent feedback through sign graph and system dynamics diagrams. The teaching method includes readings and activities to engage with the content effectively. This course is intended for individuals interested in gaining a deeper understanding of environmental systems and feedback mechanisms.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Course outline
• 1 Course outline
• 1.1 Aim
• 1.2 Readings
• 1.3 Activities
• 2 Section readings – Flows and feedback
• 2 Section readings – Flows and feedback
• Reading 4.1: Systems thinking: the first step
• Reading 4.2: Positive feedback and change
• Reading 4.3: Negative feedback and stability
• Reading 4.4: Dynamic equilibrium
• Reading 4.5: Living systems and information flows
• Reading 4.6: Representing feedback through sign graph diagrams
• Reading 4.7: Representing feedback through system dynamics diagrams
• 3 Section activities
• 3 Section activities
• Activity 4A: Exploring dynamic relationships using sign graphs
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• References
• Acknowledgements