We live in a complex and uncertain world. In the 21st century, humanity faces challenges stemming from climate change, pandemics, rising inequality, and great power rivalry, which cannot be understood or managed from the perspective of a single discipline. Domains that were previously kept relatively separate (such as economics, security, health and the environment) are colliding. Governance regimes are multiplying, fragmenting, and overlapping in a bid to grapple with these challenges. This course considers approaches to governance in the face of complexity and uncertainty. It covers issues such as: what theories and tools can we use to better understand complex problems and systems dynamics? What frameworks can we develop to better understand and manage risks, opportunities and resilience across domains? How does incremental and transformative change happen in complex systems and what leverage points exist for interventions? The course uses contemporary examples, including COVID-19, the pushback against globalisation, and US-China tech/trade competition.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to complex systems
- Critically analyse contemporary national and international challenges relating to governing in a complex and uncertain world
- Evaluate different governance approaches for responding to these issues and apply them with respect to a variety of domains
- Critically analyse different change strategies for intervening in complex and uncertain domains
- Conduct independent research on governance challenges and approaches to a complex problem within a particular domain
Indicative Assessment
- In class participation and electronic submission of two questions for each session a day prior to class (10) [LO 1,2]
- Leading one in-class discussion including a 1500 word precis on relevant reading(s) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research and writing plan and outline for major essay - 1000 words (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research essay (maximum 3000 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course requires 30 contact hours and 130 hours workload in total.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
N/A
Preliminary Reading
Snowden, D. J., & Boone, M. E. (2017). A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making. Harvard Business Review.
Welch IV, J. (2018). The Impact of Newell's "A Theory of Interdisciplinary Studies": Reflection and Analysis. Issues in interdisciplinary studies, 36(2), 193-211.
Sterman, J. D. (2006). Learning from Evidence in a Complex World. American journal of public health, 96(3), 505-514.
Roberts, A., & Lamp, N. (2021). Six Faces of Globalization: Who Wins, Who Loses, and Why It Matters, Ch 1 & Ch 15.
Goldin, I., & Mariathasan, M. (2014). The Butterfly Defect: How Globalization Creates Systemic Risks, and What to Do about It, Ch 1.
Buchanan, M. (2002). Ubiquity: Why Catastrophes Happen, Ch 1.
Slaughter, A. M. (2017). The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Networked World, Ch 4.
Braithwaite, J. (2018). Cascades of Violence, Ch 1.
Tetlock, P. E., & Gardner, D. (2016). Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction, Ch 5, 105-127.
Syed, M. (2019). Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking (John Murray), Ch 1 & 2.
Gai, P., Haldane, A., & Kapadia, S. (2011). Complexity, Concentration and Contagion. Journal of Monetary Economics, 58(5), 453-470.
Farrell, H., & Newman, A. L. (2019). Weaponized interdependence: How global economic networks shape state coercion. International Security, 44(1), 42-79.
Manyena, B., Machingura, F., & O'Keefe, P. (2019). Disaster Resilience Integrated Framework for Transformation (DRIFT): A new approach to theorising and operationalising resilience. World Development, 123, 104587.
Green, D. (2016). How change happens, 7-27.
Meadows, D. H. (1999). Leverage points: Places to intervene in a system. http://www.donellameadows.org/wp-content/userfiles/Leverage_Points.pdf
Roberts, A., & St John, T. (2022). Complex Designers and Emergent Design: Reforming the Investment Treaty System. American Journal of International Law, 96
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Campus | ||||||
| 9134 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
| Online | ||||||
| 9135 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | Online | N/A |