230040 SE Introduction into Systems Theory (2011W)

In systems theory, social systems and society as such are determined by communications which are seen as the basic operation constructing social systems. These communications are differentiated by two aspects: one is the functional differentiation which structures modern societies into functional systems, the other one stems form the necessity that the realisation of functional issues only can be managed by organisations. Thus organisations and functional systems can be differentiated by their own independent operations. A third type of social systems emerges from the need to involve individuals into organisational communications for which reason individuals have to interact. Interaction systems, therefore, are seen again as independent social systems sui generis.

Organisations in that sense ar under the cross pressure of two competing demands: on one side they need to organise issues which emerge from the functional differentiation of society and on the other hand they need to meet individual interests, qualifications, and mental competences.
This course will give an introduction into these objectives.