The Future of Humanity: A System Approach

It is irresistible to think that the human race will survive forever despite the many challenges Earth faces. However, humanity's most pressing challenges are interconnected, and they embroil clashing interests and create multifaceted, complex systems challenges. These challenges defy simplification. Historically, reductionist approaches that focused on linear relations have failed to provide mitigations for these challenges. Addressing these complexities necessitates an integrative system-oriented approach that balances depth with breadth. The goal of this course is to give students an appreciation for the complexity of some of today's most intractable problems, thereby enhancing their understanding of global challenges and equipping them with strategies and methodologies for navigating their future world. In addition, it encourages critical thinking about the nature of the challenges and the development of systems mitigations for the betterment of humanity. This multidisciplinary course is designed to be accessible to a diverse student body, regardless of their backgrounds, and without significant mathematical preparation. The course covers foundational concepts and techniques such as complexity, systems mapping, design, foresight, and forming human collations. Topics like sustainability, climate, epidemics, inequality, sociability, human displacement, and essential materials for civilization are the focal points for discussions. These discussions enable students to critically analyze trends and news, contributing to informed debates that could shape humanity's future. Working in small groups, students employ various techniques for forward-looking analysis, to create comprehensive framework that integrate economic, political, technical, ethical, and social perspectives. This type of analysis of complex problems, students identify possible unintended consequences and roadblocks that might hinder progress. Students may not take both CSCI E-138 and ISMT E-138 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.