Introduction to systemic thinking for organic farming: Theories and methods with examples from organic farming (in Eng.)

In this course we introduce in system thinking. Students will learn about the importance and potentials of a systemic holistic to understand and manage complex real world problems. A holistic perspective can help to avoid long term and follow up problems as well as sudden surprises. Furthermore it is an necessary supplement to disciplinary and reductionist approaches in science and management.
We introduce in the history of system theory as well as basic concepts of systems: Wholeness, emergence, hierarchies, structures of communication and control, feedback etc. and show how they can be applied to achieve a better understanding of organic agriculture.