Complexity:

Complexity Thinking is offered as a way of informing practice in a practical approach to understanding and enacting the study of social systems at every level. It serves as an extension to current popular approaches to social studies instruction.

Complexity, in this sense, is much more than really complicated. Complex systems are organic, growing, adapting, interconnected, and every changing. All social systems are complex. An understanding of complexity will assist in understanding communities, countries, cultures, and classrooms.

Since complex systems are always in a state of interactivity, breaking them down into parts for individual study has limited value. In extending this thinking to how we teach, we will focus more on patterns, changes, and interactions. We will teach a topic as a whole in the real world. Everything will be intact, integrated, and outcomes will be unpredictable.

A goal of this course is for every student to produce a functional project plan that is intended for actual use in practicum and/or professional practice in the years to come. A portion of class time will be allotted so that we can work together on this project.