FUS 101 - Mesa Community College

Dimensions of the Future

"For I dipt into the future, far as human eye could see, Saw the vision of the world and all the wonder that would be"

This is an interactive course that will make use of a variety of materials and formats. In order to maintain a basic structure we will explore and discuss the content of two assigned texts. They are:

Carl Sagan, The Demon Haunted World

Michael Talbot, The Holographic Universe

These two works, representing widely divergent views of reality, are readily available at all traditional retail outlets and in the College Bookstore. We will also make use of excerpts from other printed works, all of which will be available at local libraries and retail outlets (if you elect to purchase). We will visit and utilize some of the more grounded of the many websites on futurism. We will make use of other materials that I will provide for you, either from legally scanned sources (see your first assignment below), or information that I will prepare for you in lieu of traditionally delivered lectures.

Some material will be derived from articles in current and past issues of The Futurist magazine (www.wfs.org). You are strongly encouraged to familiarize yourself with this magazine and other publications of the World Future Society.

I will post assignments approximately once each week, depending on the complexity of the topic. Your function will be to:

1. read the materials assigned

2. e-mail responses to the questions directly to me (dgawronski@mail.mc.maricopa.edu)

3. make at least one contribution to the message board on the assignment

4. comment or react to at least one contribution made by some other student on the same assignment (be courteous)

5. I will set a cutoff date for each discussion, then summarize and comment on the discussion that has ensued

Specific assignments on the fourteen general topics listed in the course outline will be posted at regular intervals. You must respond to the first seven assignments. You must respond to at least three of the remaining seven assignments as your interests dictate (you may respond to all if you desire and I will count your best three in determining your final grade).

Please! Stay with the course and do the assignments regularly. The biggest pitfall I have seen in teaching internet courses over the past three years is student lack of self discipline. Students get behind, get discouraged, lose interest, and drop out, officially or unofficially. Hopefully, the subject matter will be of sufficient interest to maintain your ongoing interest. I will monitor your individual activity and try to keep you on track to achieve the goal of successfully completing the course. If all else fails and you need a pep talk, pick up the phone. My office number is (480) 461-7051.

BONUS POINTS! Any student may initiate a discussion on any topic relating to futurism not covered in the outline. Other students may respond or not as they see fit. If any choose to participate clearly indicate that you responding to a supplemental discussion issue. Based on the thoughtfulness of topics proposed and the level of individual contributions, bonus points will be awarded on an individual basis.