Course Outline
THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHY 2090a (Space Exploration)
Fall 2016
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course concerns the exploration of 'outer' space, past, present and future, and looks at many ways in which space exploration interacts with our lives and our culture. We will look at space as a place, as a newly accessible part of the domain of human activity. In ancient times Geography was the study of different lands, territories which could be reached only after undertaking a voyage. Now we can look to new lands, new continents far away, but within reach of our senses, our robots and we ourselves, if we choose to make the journey. We will look at these new places as geographers, studying their physical characteristics, their resources and hazards, and the ways we can interact with them: scientifically, politically, economically, legally, artistically, or just as interested spectators. Many of my attitudes to this subject are expressed in Carl Sagan's book Pale Blue Dot - not a text for this course, but well worth reading.

It is important to note that this is not an astronomy or planetary science class. We will look at topics related to these fields, but not in great detail.

The objective of this course is to demonstrate the wide range of human activity now associated with space, including connections to all our lives. The many links from lecture pages serve in place of a text book. Students are expected to spend time browsing among these links. It is impossible to read everything, but the lectures indicate the more important topics to be looked at. Students are expected to attend all classes, and to be suitably prepared for the in-class tests. Preparation for classes should include having read through the lecture page for that week before class.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Philip J. Stooke, room 2425 SSC
Phone: 661-2111 ext. 85022 (please, NO MESSAGES here - if I do not answer, send an email)

INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Thursday, each day, 11:00 to 12:00 in the MAP AND DATA CENTRE, Weldon Library (LOCATION) , or by appointment, or just drop by my office (SSC-2425) any time (best days - Tuesday to Thursday). NOTE: Because those office hours are held in the Weldon Library, you cannot reach me on my office phone during those times.

e-mail: pjstooke@uwo.ca
website: publish.uwo.ca/~pjstooke

Return to Department of Geography

We have three Teaching Assistants:
Suzanne Tillmann, email: stillma@uwo.ca
Armin Ahmadi, email: aahma2@uwo.ca
Rainer Hilland, email: rhilland@uwo.ca

They will not be teaching, but will help administer class tests, mark them and arrange for test pickup afterwards.

TEST PICK-UP:

Students can pick up tests at these times and places (week of October 17-21)
Suzanne Tillmann: Monday: 8:30-10:00, room Soc. Sci. 2333.
Armin Ahmadi: Monday: 1:00-4:00, Wednesday 1:30-4:00, room Soc. Sci. 2250
Rainer Hilland: Tuesday from about 7 to 4, room Soc. Sci. 1413.

CLASSES: (held in UCC-146)
Tuesdays 8.30 - 9.30
Thursdays, 8.30 - 10.30

READINGS:

There is no textbook for this course. Readings are online, linked via the course website.

EVALUATION:

The final mark is the sum of marks for two in-class tests and a final project in two parts. In the middle of the term Part 1, the first stage of the project, will be submitted and marked, giving a chance for feedback at that stage. At the end of term Part 2, the final part of the project, will be handed in. There will not be a final examination after classes end.

In-class tests: 40 %
Project Part 1: 30 %
Project Part 2: 30 %

Marks will be assigned or adjusted in such a way that the class average will meet the expected level of 75%.

So... to get a high mark in this course, you must do well on both the tests and the project. Only a very few students with truly exceptional work can expect to get marks in the 90 % range.

The tests will involve the ability to remember details from class notes and web readings. That type of study is easier if it is done gradually over the term, not by studying all night just before the test! It is also most successful if it involves actually writing on paper a summary of the readings. Just reading does not fix information in the brain. Writing notes and summaries does help fix information in the brain very well.

Students who do less well at memory-work will have a chance to redress that in the two parts of the project, which will favour other qualities such as research skills, critical thinking, imagination, systematic study and careful presentation.

The tests will be held in class as indicated in the schedule. If tests are missed, whether due to illness or any other factor, they must be made up during the remainder of the term on a schedule agreed by the student and instructor. Students are directed to the University's Policy on Accommodation for Medical illness (see below under Support Services) for additional information.

Electronic Devices: No electronic devices will be allowed during tests and examinations.

PREREQUISITES:
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that prerequisite courses have been passed prior to registration in this course. Students without the necessary prerequisites for this course must request special permission from the instructor to take the course, and this will usually be granted to non-Geography students.

Regulation:
"Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.”

ACCESSIBILITY:
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 661-2111 x 82147 for any specific question regarding an accommodation.
PLAGIARISM:
Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site:

http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

All work you hand in must be your own. You may seek advice from other students regarding design, techniques or software operations, but you must not share or duplicate map files, including base maps. This includes finding another student's saved file on a computer, making minor modifications, and passing the work off as your own. Any offence will trigger the procedure outlined on the linked document.

Program or degree questions? Refer to Department of Geography.

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS:
Registrar's Services
Student Development Services

Accommodation for medical illness:
(PDF file)

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to mentalhealth@western for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.