GEOG 2090A – Space Exploration Winter 2024
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GEOG 2090A - Space Exploration
Course Outline: Section 002 Winter 2024
2. Calendar Description
Survey of human activity in outer space, including history of spaceflight, scientific exploration,
economic and military uses of space, natural resources and hazards, legal and ethical implications, and plausible future developments.
Lecture hours, 0.5 course
Antirequisite(s): None
Prerequisite(s): None
Prerequisite checking is the student’s responsibility
Senate Regulations state, “unless you have either the requisites for this course or written
special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you will 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.”
3. Textbook
Rothery, D. (2010). Planets: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
4. Course Objectives and Format
To familiarize students with the history of space exploration, including its socio-political,
economic, and cultural linkages. The course is intended to cover both natural and social
science components of humanity’s engagement with outer space for the purposes of scientific exploration.
All course material will be posted to OWL: http://owl.uwo.ca. Any changes will be indicated on the OWL site and discussed with the class.
Google ChromeorMozilla Firefoxare the preferred browsers to optimally use OWL; update your browsers frequently. Students interested in evaluating their internet speed, please click here. [Using the right browser is important, especially when using different features integrated with OWL]
If students need assistance, they can seek support on the OWL Help page. Alternatively, they can contact theWestern Technology Services Helpdesk. They can be contacted by phone at 519- 661-3800 or ext. 83800.
5. Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the advancement of human engagement with non-Earth spaces and how these engagements have interacted with other processes in society historically and geographically.
2) Summarize the key discoveries and findings of major space exploration programs and the evolution of humanity’s scientific understanding of the solar system.
3) Evaluate the value and repercussions of past, present, and future space exploration and space technologies to society.
4) Recognize the challenges associated with human and robotic exploration of our solar system
7. Communication
• Students should check the OWL site every 24 – 48 hours
• Weekly updates will be provided on the OWL announcements
• For any other communication, the centrally administered e-mail account provided to students will be considered the individual’s official university e-mail address. It is the responsibility of the account holder to ensure that e-mail received from the University at their official university address is attended to in a timely manner. You can read about the privacy and security of the UWO email accountshere.
• Emails will be monitored daily Monday through Friday; students will receive a response as soon as possible
8. Evaluation
[Enter in the methods by which student performance will be evaluated and the weight of
each, including an exact timetable and schedule of assignments. When exact dates cannot be supplied,a tentative schedule must be issued, with an exact schedule to follow as soon as
possible. This regulation does not preclude the administration of surprise assignments and quizzes, as long as the total number, approximate frequency, and value of such assignments are specified in the course outline.]
Below is the evaluation breakdown for the course. Any deviations will be communicated.
|
Assessment |
Format |
Weight |
Due Date |
|
Summary 1 |
.pdf (1500 words) |
15 |
January 30th |
|
Summary 2 |
.pdf (1500 words) |
15 |
February 13th |
|
Summary 3 |
.pdf (1500 words) |
15 |
March 12th |
|
Monthly Question |
OWL Forums |
15 |
Jan 31st, Feb 28th, March 31st |
|
Final Project |
PPT Presentation |
40 |
April 1st |
Students are responsible for material covered in the lectures as well as the assigned chapters/sections in the text.
• All assignments are due at 11:55 pm EST unless otherwise specified
• Written assignments will be submitted to Turnitin (statement in policies below)
• Rubrics will be used to evaluate assessments and will be posted with the instructions
• After an assessment is returned, students should wait 24 hours to digest feedback before
contacting their evaluator; to ensure a timely response, reach out within 7 days
Click here for a detailed and comprehensive set of policies and regulations concerning examinations and grading. The table below outlines the University-wide grade descriptors.
|
A+ |
90-100 |
One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level |
|
A |
80-89 |
Superior work which is clearly above average |
|
B |
70-79 |
Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory |
|
C |
60-69 |
Competent work, meeting requirements |
|
D |
50-59 |
Fair work, minimally acceptable |
|
F |
below 50 |
Fail |
Information about late or missed evaluations:
• Late assessments without illness self-reports will be subject to a late penalty 10 %/day
• Late assessments with illness self-reports should be submitted within 24 hours of submission of the last illness self-report
Grades will not be adjusted on the basis of need. It is important to monitor your performance in the course. Remember: You are responsible for your grades in this course.
2024-01-29