Geographies of Outer Space

Overview

This module will explore the ways in which outer space has been imagined and explored in the modern age. The module will draw on level 1 and level 2 engagements with cultural, historical and political geography in presenting outer space as a cultural landscape. Topics covered will include the NASA Apollo missions, the Cold War ‘space race’, as well as British and European imaginations of outer space in fiction, art and science. Key conceptual considerations will include the extent to which scientific and artistic cultures have overlapped in imaginations of outer space, and the connections between (inter)nationalism and space exploration.

Learning Objectives

On successful completion of this module, students will have attained:
- A detailed knowledge of the ways in which outer space has been conceptualised in the modern age;
- An understanding of the historical context of space exploration
- An appreciation of how the geographies of outer space connect to broader national and international scientific cultures

Skills

On successful completion, students will have acquired skills including (T taught, P practiced, A assessed):

Subject specific:
1) To identify and appreciate the key conceptual approaches used in the geographies of outer space (T; P; A);
2) To identify, understand and interpret relevant subject- specific arguments made by others; (T; P; A);
3) An ability to critically assess a wide range of cultural texts including visual imagery, cinematic film and popular literature (T, P, A)
4) To think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field (P; A)

Cognitive skills:
1) Managing & prioritising knowledge: to identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge (T; P; A);
2) Analytical thinking: to identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject- specific arguments made by others (P; A);
3) Abstract and synthesise information from a range of different geographical sources (T; P; A)

Transferable skills:
1) Written and oral communication (P, A);
2) To reflect on one’s own progress (P);
3) To negotiate diverse and competing pressures (P);
4) To use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments (P; A)

Assessment

Compulsory Element