Applications of Systems Thinking in Honors Education: The Justice Challenge

Authors

Rebecca C. Bott, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityFollow
Jonathan D. Kotinek, Texas A & M University - College StationFollow
Timothy J. Nichols, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow
Heidi Appel, University of Houston
Andrea Radasanu, Northern Illinois UniversityFollow
Joy L. Hart, University of LouisvilleFollow

Date of this Version

2025

Document Type

Article

Citation

Honors in Practice (2025) 21: 205-222

Comments

Copyright 2025, NCHC and the authors. Used by permission

Abstract

Honors education has long been praised for its potential as a test bed for curricular innovation. A wide variety of high-impact practices have been employed to prepare honors students to think critically and tackle complex problems. Examination of the use of systems thinking within pedagogical practices in honors education is, however, nearly nonexistent in the literature. The authors present a brief introduction to systems thinking; review its use within honors curricula; and examine how a nationwide collaborative of honors educators equips students with systems thinking tools to learn about and engage with complex interdisciplinary problems. The authors characterize systems thinking methodologies and then demonstrate how—through a yearlong series of learning opportunities—students enhanced their knowledge base and gained experience with the application of these concepts and skills to address the complex problems of food justice and climate justice.