Topics in Communication Studies (395-0-30)

Topic

The New Outer Space

Instructors

James Schwoch

Meeting Info

Frances Searle 1180-Dean Conf: Wed 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This course offers a selective, yet galactic, approach to investigating the contemporary conditions of outer space in 2020s and 2030s. What is often called New Space involves activities by many nations, a huge range and diverse scale of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and inventors, and a largely uniformed public. We will look at issues such as the vanishing of dark and quiet skies as satellites increase in number and undermine astronomical research; plans to build telescopes on the Shielded (Dark) side of the Moon; the growing environmental problems of space debris returning to Earth; Point Nemo, the rapidly filling oceanic graveyard of satellites; does The Moon needs its own time zone; mega-constellations of satellites with thousands of satellites in LEO, MEO, GEO and other orbits; new direct-to-smartphone satellites. Each class session usually includes a 30-45 minute PowerPoint, some video screenings, and some discussion. Assignments include attendance, short papers on selected satellites, projects, and corporations, and in-class group oral reports on the readings (all readings online.) No mid-term or final exams. When weather conditions permit (generally clear skies and ice and snow free) the last half-hour of class will be held outdoors as we attempt to observe ISS, Tiangong, BlueWalker 3, and other objects if any are visible in the Evanston night sky. Dress for winter outdoors and look up. This is the New Space of the 21st century, and it is YOUR outer space, your Cosmos. Join us, learn what's really going on up there, and have fun.

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory
No Freshmen