COURSE SYLLABUS/INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the future--where we will spend the rest of our lives.  This is an interdisciplinary course in which we will identify current trends and then forecast possible outcomes for these trends.  We do not predict the future, but we can intelligently prepare for possible futures on the basis of current developments.  Assignments 8-14 are designed as representative samples of topics that can have significant (and varied) ramifications for our future.

TEXTS:

Carl Sagan, The Demon Haunted World

Michael Talbot, The Holographic Universe

These two works represent widely divergent views of reality.  Both are readily available at traditional retail outlets, online, libraries and the MCC Bookstore.

Additional information on many of the topics covered in the course an be obtained from The Futurist magazine, a publication of the World Future Society www.wfs.org. You are strongly encouraged to acquaint yourself with this organization and its publications.

GRADES:

100 points each assignment,  1500 for the course

1350+points = A  1200+points = B  1050+points = C   900+points = D

As in my regular classes I offer the opportunity for extra credit/bonus work.  Should you desire to write a paper on a topic not covered in this course contact me and we will form a contract listing expectations and bonus point value.

Read the assigned material.

Email your responses to me at dgawronski@mesacc.edu

As a general guideline a satisfactory answer should approximate 1-2 pages double spaced.  This is a minimum requirement.  Obviously, the more substances to a response the more points will be earned.

The assignments contain multiple part questions.  Make certain you respond to all parts of each question for maximum credit.

The course is self paced but not procrastinate.  A major cause for lack of success in online courses ins procrastination.  Delay creates a time crunch, and a time crunch leads to lesser quality, hurried work or failure to complete. I will "remind" you if I see you falling behind.  Move at the same pace as you would in a regular classroom.  Fifteen assignments over fifteen weeks means completion of one assignment per week.

I grade incoming assignments on a daily basis.  I respond to all emails  within 24 hours.  The College has mandated that online classes include a fixed online "office hour." As with my regular classes my door is always open and I monitor my college email multiple times each day.  However, for issues demanding immediate attention, our fixed office hour shall be 6-7pm.  As my schedule firms I will be abel to offer additional times during the day that we an regard as fixed.  I will communicate this information via your college email accounts.

If I need to initiate communication with you for any reason it will be through the student email system.  For response to your email I will reply to whatever email source you are using.

All assignments must be received by the class ending date in the college class schedule.