IMPORTANT: Essay information

Dear students,
It appears from the questions you've been asking that you might need some more guidance with
regard to the essay.

Resources: I have posted a video resource and some articles on Canvas. In addition, there is a vast
amount of material being published every day in the mainstream media, which would certainly
be authoritative sources. You are not required to agree with the views of a particular source. For
example, the views of the doctors on the video have attracted a certain amount of negative
criticism, and you may agree or disagree with the views of the doctors, or of any source, as you
wish. The video and the other sources have been posted simply to stimulate your thinking on the
kinds of system effects that might be going on.
The ten references are not required to be all scholarly articles. Please read the instructions on
Canvas carefully. The referencing system currently favoured by the School of Projects is APA (7ed
preferable, but 6ed acceptable), and it would be preferable for you to use this. However, if you
are more comfortable with Harvard that would also be fine.

You are required, first, to discuss at least three systems within the pandemic with regard to the
Eleven Laws. It might have been better if this requirement had been worded ‘at least three
system effects,’ as analyses of three complete systems is beyond the scope of this part of the
assessment. Senge’s book The Fifth Discipline, where he presents the Laws, is essentially about
System Dynamics, so you should look for any Same (+ve) or Opposite (-ve) effects going on, or for
Balancing or Reinforcing loops; and then apply a Law. For example, can you see ‘The cure is worse
than the disease’ going on in any aspects of the official response to the pandemic? For example,
could the lockdowns being implemented in many countries turn out to cause worse problems
than the virus itself?

You are then required to create and comment on a Causal Loop diagram. This is to assess your
expertise in applying the symbols and conventions outlined in the weekly content, and your
capacity to discuss in a reasonable way what the diagram might be representing.

Finally, there are enormous human and social aspects to the pandemic. Policies and procedures
are being enacted which significantly impact the lives of individuals and society as a whole. For
example, there is some evidence that social isolation may be pushing those suffering from
loneliness into overt mental illness. How could a soft systems approach such as SAST, SSM or CSH
have been used to better manage the human and social impacts of the response?

Some guidance as to word counts:

Introduction: 75 words
Three systems effects: 600 words
Causal Loop diagram: 350 words
Soft systems approach: 400 words
Conclusion: 75 words

These word counts are suggestions only, not requirements. The three systems effects will require
the longest discussion in your essay, while the Causal Loop diagram will require the shortest
discussion. 400 words should be enough for your discussion of the soft systems approach.

I will be hosting another support session next Sun 18th, 7-8 pm. Please feel free to email me at
any time before then.

Cheers
Michael

essay clarification

Dear students,
there appears to be some confusion about these essay requirements:

1. Discuss at least three (3) systems within the pandemic with reference to one or more of
Senge’s Eleven Laws of the Fifth discipline
2. Construct, and provide commentary on, at least one causal loop diagram illustrating a system
within the pandemic

With regard to 1. above, what actually constitutes a system? Senge's Eleven Laws relate mainly
(although he didn't say so) to System Dynamics, so there's some possibilities for you. Can you see
any causal loop effects going on? In 2. above, you are asked to construct a full causal loop
diagram.
Hope this helps
Michael