K613 [複合システム論]（Social-Technical Complex System）

Lecturers: Taketoshi Yoshida, Takashi Hashimoto

Aims and objectives:

This lecture aims  at learning the basic concept  and methodologies of
systems science  through discussing  on soft systems  methodology, and
artificial life studies.

Overview:

- Firstly, we review briefly  the organizational knowledge
  management  and  then  the  soft systems  methodology.  Finally,  we
  discuss the possible relationships between them.

- Secondly,  we will read several papers from the studies of 
  artificial life.

Textbook

Necessary materials will be provided. 


References:

1. I. Nonaka and H. Takeuchi: The Knowledge-Creating Company.
   Oxford Univ. Press (1995)

2. P. Checkland and J. Scholes: Soft Systems Methodology in Action.
   JohnWiley & Sons (1999).

3. C. G. Langton (Eds.), Artificial Life I, Addison-Wesley, (1989)

4. C. G. Langton (Eds.), Artificial Life II, Addison-Wesley, (1992)

5. C. G. Langton (Eds.), Artificial Life: An Overview, MIT Press (1997)



Requirement:

  English to read and discuss scientific papers

Course Plan:

   1. Brief review of the organizational knowledge management
   2. Soft systems methodology
   3. Soft systems methodology
   4. Discussion
   5. Introduction to artificial life
   6. Provisions for reading papers in artificial life studies
   7. Biological systems: self-reproduction
   8. Biological systems: digital organisms
   9. Biological systems: auto-catalysis
  10. Socio-ecological systems
  11. Evolutionary systems
  12. Communication systems
  13. Linguistic systems: syntax
  14. Linguistic systems: semantics
  15. General discussion on artificial life systems

Perspective of Assessment:

  Students  will  be evaluated  according  to  the level  of
  understanding  of the basic  concept and  methodologies of
  systems science.


Method of Assessment:

  The total performance for  the course will be evaluated by
  presentations,  contributions to  discussions  and written
  assignments (reports).

Grading:

  presentations (40%), contributions to discussions (30%),
  reports (30%)