Robin Wordsworth
Gen Ed 1184 | Spring 2025 | Course Listing | Canvas Site
Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
What is the nature of other worlds beyond Earth, and why is space exploration important?
Earth, our home, is unique and precious, but it is almost inconceivably tiny compared to the vast expanses that lie beyond it. Over the last few decades, we have greatly enriched our understanding of our own changing planet and discovered much about neighboring worlds, although many mysteries remain. In the 21st century, the space sector has begun to expand rapidly, with increasing involvement of a diverse range of countries and private companies. This expansion opens new opportunities, but also important questions and challenges. What is the scientific motivation for visiting other planets? Is space exploration best conducted by robots, or are humans needed in the future to make new breakthroughs? How should space activity by governments and non-state actors be regulated? Is building large settlements beyond Earth an important goal, and if so, who should plan it and pay for it? In this course, you will explore these questions and many more by studying the science alongside the social, economic and cultural aspects of solar system exploration. By developing an understanding of the key scientific and technical issues, you will gain the ability to think critically about debates in the media and among policy experts — and ultimately develop your own ideas about what humanity’s future in space should look like.