Author(s):
NeedIn an age of magnificent astronomical progress and discoveries, the intensifying exploration and deepening knowledge of the cosmos have manifold repercussions. This unique course on astrosociology examines how outer space-related phenomena impact, or potentially impact, society and culture, and vice versa. Beyond engaging specific facts and theories, students develop a sense of their position in the cosmos, grapple with questions of truth and ethics, reflect on the properties of life and civilization, and become aware of, and interrogate, their most basic preconceptions by exploring the maximally strange. There is a need to better understand and reflect upon the societal aspects of space and space exploration not only for students who aspire to careers in the area, but for citizens in general who will all be affected by various developments in space. The interdisciplinary course covers diverse topics spanning the sciences, social sciences, and humanities and features a student-centered pedagogy. It has been taught at Harvard College since 2017 and has become highly successful and popular. Guiding QuestionsThis NSF Conference Grant supports a conference tasked with generating knowledge about the opportunities and challenges of implementing this course in institutional environments very different from the one at Harvard University. OutcomesA conference that results in a white paper exploring promising ways of disseminating the curriculum.Broader ImpactsThe ultimate goal is to broaden participation in this student-centered curriculum about an important emerging topic and to disseminate it widely among diverse American institutions of higher education.
