1. Introduce students to outer space as a subject of inquiry
2. Introduce students to the study of outer space as a means of assessing the and pushing the boundaries of disciplinary thinking
3. Develop student’s ability to conduct independent research on an outer space-related artefact
4. Enhance students’ analytical skills by exposing them to multi-disciplinary theoretical and conceptual frameworks
5. Provide students with the opportunity to engage with different forms of analysis by developing their own multi-media essay

(LO1) Understand and apply multi-disciplinary frameworks to explore outer space-related issues.

(LO2) Conduct independent research on a outer space-related artefact.

(LO3) Develop the competence to formulate critical questions about societies and outer space.

(LO4) Demonstrate ability to use ‘futuring’ as a method of inquiry

(S1) Methods: aptly use ‘futuring’ as a method of inquiry. Skill developed in lectures and seminars, and demonstrated in coursework.

(S2) Communication: effectively communicate complex analyses to a broad-based audience. Skill developed in seminars, and demonstrated in class and coursework.

(S3) Research: successfully conduct independent research. Skill developed in seminars, and demonstrated in coursework.

(S4) Critical thinking: develop and express critical arguments that apply social research to hitherto under-explored topics. Skill developed in seminars, and demonstrated in coursework.

Key topics / subjects covered: utopias and dystopias; living and working in outer space; outer space’s relation to earth; social studies of outer space; the politics of outer space. We will be looking at topics such as near future outer space missions, gender and outer space, conceptualisation of the environment, and reading outer` space artefacts.
Developing previous content and introducing new material: the module will further develop the research methods skills that students will have cultivated in SOCI106, SOCI247 and SOCI248. It will also introduce the topic of outer space, which is not covered anywhere else in the department’s curricular offer.
Availability of content: all the course content will be available on Canvas and some extra material will be accessible in websites available to the public.
How students will use content: students will be assigned required material (readings, videos, websites) which they will be expected to prepare ahead of th e seminars. Lectures will be available on Canvas for them to review in preparation for their assessment. They will be doing their own research to develop their final essays.

Teaching Method 1: Lectures and seminars

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 12 lectures and 11 seminars, 1 hour each

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 128 hours of independent study

Description:

Attendance Recorded: Yes

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 127

Description: Preparation for workshops, wider readings, engagement with assessment