51-277 Design Studies: Systems

5 units, Carnegie Mellon University

"Systems" prepares you to design for, and within, complex systems. You will make use of systems theory and experiment with systems-thinking techniques to interpret and illustrate how ecological, social, and cultural systems operate at different levels of scale. You will also learn to identify leverage points within a system, and design ways to intervene that creates openings for norms, behaviors, attitudes, and habits. Coursework includes exposure to theoretical frameworks, analysis of case studies, and complexity mapping projects to analyze and represent the world from scalar and systemic perspectives.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026, Fall 2025

Courseweave needs JavaScript to show sections, workloads and planning tools.