Course FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

-- a university of arizona course on methods and approaches for studying the future

This class is a little different than most University classes. Over the years, some questions have been consistent. I have tried to make other sections more self explanatory to minimize questions, but since this class is a new experience for many, this FAQ list may help answer your questions. If you have some that are not addressed here, send me an email (caldwell@ag.arizona.edu). 

1. Why would I be interested in a course about the future?

The world is changing rapidly with new ideas, approaches, and technologies. How these will affect you and society are partly clear and largely unclear. An understanding of how to place these changes in context and to learn some of the techniques for anticipating at least some of the possible impacts is worthwhile to all disciplines.

2. The class seems to have a lot of "participation" in small groups and electronically, why?

It does. Partly this is because increasingly team efforts are required for jobs and other activities. As more global interaction occurs, an increasing amount of this will be electronic. Learning and experiencing team activities in both a face-to-face setting and an electronic setting will provide good experience for your future positions.

3. I am accustomed to having specific assignments with specific due dates. How are assignments made and structured in this class?

This will be mostly the same but you will have more responsibilities to keep yourself on tract. There are ways to help you do this (see "course modules" and "due dates" on the home page. The assignment for each week will be posted on the Friday before the week, with links to reading material as well as references to the texts. Some of this information is in the course outline, but some of it will be given in these weekly assignments. Visit the "assignments" page off the home page often. Weekly progress reports will alert the instructor if you are having any problems. Be careful not to let things slide, as it is very easy to get behind in the electronic discussions.