FUTR 5332: CLASSIC FUTURES TEXTS

Third Sunday each month; 3:00 - 5:30
Followed by an optional film viewing and BYO dinner, 5:30 - 7:00
Dr. Wendy L. Schultz
Course Description | Assignments (format for book and film reviews)

In the aftermath of the second World War, a number of philosophers and researchers framed the questions and issues which set the directions for the emerging field of futures studies. These influential thinkers contributed basic concepts and models to the field, creating its foundations and the framework of its worldview. This course provides participants with an opportunity for in-depth review and discussion of a selection of classic texts (the specific books chosen vary from year to year).

In addition, movies and television have informed our views of the future by creating strong images, icons, and visual themes that symbolize the range of philosophies and critiques represented in the classic texts. For this reason, the course also offers participants an opportunity to discuss classic cinematic and video works about the future, and to link those with the issues raised by the classic texts.

Course requirements/assignments: participants must submit a total of six essays reviewing either a book or one of the films. No more than two essays may review films: at least four essays must examine the classic texts. Format for book reviews and film reviews follows.

SCHEDULE

date	book(s)	film(s)
10/21/96	De Jouvenel, The Art of Conjecture	Lang's Metropolis
11/17/96	McHale, The Future of the Future	Things to Come
12/15/96	Brown, The Challenge to Man's Future	20,000 Leagues under the Sea
1/26/97	Bell, The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism and The Coming of Post-Industrial Society	Brazil
2/16/97	Polak, selections from The Image of the Future and Harman, An Incomplete Guide to the Future	selections from 2001 and Blade Runner

Looking for a longer list of early classic texts in futures studies? Try Jim Dator's bibliography.