LLS 1303 - Alternative Futures

Credits: 3 hrs.

Where are the nuclear fusion power plants and ‘free’ energy? The moon bases and missions to Mars? All these, and much more, were ‘predicted’ by experts in 1955 to be reality by 2000. Obviously, the future cannot be predicted, but we must still plan for it as we will all live in there. How can that be done, even for the short term? The seminar will cover the basics for future projections and require you to create a research project based which will offer alternative paths for the trend. While any student with an interest in preparing for the future is welcome, students with interests in business, social science (sociology, political science, and economics), history, philosophy, and IT may find the class particularly appealing.