About this course: 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.
Who is this class for: This course is for everyone: from any level of expertise, any field, any industry, any discipline. And for good reason. It teaches skills that enhance your work and endeavours, regardless of who you are. If you want to perform better in your career, to innovate in your field, and to improve your future prospects - take this course!
Created by: Macquarie University
Taught by: David Baker, Associate Lecturer
Big History Institute
Taught by: David Christian, Professor
Big History Institute
Taught by: Shawn Ross, Associate Professor
Big History Institute
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 4 in the Solving Complex Problems Specialization |
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
The Evolution of Problem Solving
Welcome to the second course of our specialisation on solving complex problems! In this module, we will introduce you to modes of thinking, how our capacity for thinking has evolved, and the blindspots that can still arise out of our fragile, blindly evolved, mammalian brains.
7 videos, 14 readings
- Video: Thinking About Thinking
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Reading: Assessment Overview for Course 2: Evaluating Problems
- Video: Logic, Induction, and Deduction
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Problem Solving in Nature
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Understanding the Vertebrate Brain
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Human Brain
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Bias of our Brains
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Evaluating Complex Problems
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 1
Graded: Short writing for Module 1: Epistemology, logic, and problem solving
WEEK 2
Philosophy, Science, and Problem Solving
In this module we shall explore how human cultures evaluate complex problems, taking in global perspectives from history, looking at modern science, and examining cases where contemplation of problems go beyond science into the field of ethics and society.
7 videos, 13 readings
- Video: Science and Truth
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Ancient Graeco-Roman Problem Solving
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Traditional Chinese Philosophy and Problem Solving
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Enlightenment Approaches to Problem Solving
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Limits of Scientific Truth
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Complex Problems Beyond Science
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Culture and Problem Solving
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 2
Graded: Short writing for Module 2: Introduction to the history and philosophy of science
WEEK 3
Approaching Problems in the Natural Sciences
This module will look at how we evaluate problems in the sciences in its various branches, and contemplate how these methods may lend themselves to our own approach to complex problems.
6 videos, 11 readings
- Video: The Scientific Method
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The World of the Very Large
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The World of the Very Small
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The World We Build
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Artificial Brain
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Uses of Science
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 3
Graded: Short writing for Module 3: Approaching problems in the natural sciences
WEEK 4
Statistics and Problem Solving
In this module we will examine the very important role that statistics play in evaluating complex problems and certain skills and approaches that can be utilised in our own domains.
6 videos, 11 readings
- Video: Statistics and Problem Solving
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Probability
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Using Statistics Effectively
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Statistics and Management
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Statistics and Economic Theory
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Navigating Complex Systems
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 4
Graded: Short writing for Module 4: Statistics and problem solving
WEEK 5
Approaching Problems in the Humanities
In this module, we will examine the similarities and differences regarding how we approach complex problems in different areas of the humanities. Given the extreme complexity of human society, a multi-faceted approach is not surprising, but we shall also examine the common threads that run through all approaches.
8 videos, 15 readings
- Video: Problem Solving in the Humanities
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Historians and Problem Solving
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Evidence and Criminal Investigations
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Law, Negotiation, and Problem Solving
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: International Law and Problem Solving
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Creative Arts and Problem Solving
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Problem Solving Across Cultures
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Science and the Humanities
- Reading: Glossary
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 5
Graded: Short writing for Module 5: Approaching problems in the humanities
WEEK 6
Evaluating the Anthropocene
In this module, we shall apply what we've learned to our examination of complex problems in the Anthropocene. In such an age and in such a tangled system an increasingly transdisciplinary approach is required to make the right judgements and arrive at the best solutions.
8 videos, 13 readings
- Video: The Problem of the Future
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Human Complexity and Climate Stability
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Transition to a Sustainable Economy
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Law and the Environment
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Politics of the Climate Crisis
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Nature of Artificial Intelligence
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: Evaluating the Anthropocene
- Reading: Glossary
- Video: The Final Assignment
Graded: Multiple Choice - Mod. 6
Graded: Short writing for Module 6: Problem solving in the Anthropocene
Graded: Final assignment for Course 2: Evaluating Problems
Graded: Reflections after completing Course 2: Evaluating Problems
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