About this course: The goals of this course are to develop the student’s critical thinking skills, global awareness, and ability to work as an integral part of a team in an increasingly complex global job market. The course provides a foundation in such skills as team building, collaboration, and elevated empathy using real-world scenarios from some of world’s most effective collaborative projects including the Earthrise-2068 Project. Living on the International Space Station was a powerful, transformative experience—one that could hold the key to solving our problems here on Earth. On space walks and through windows, course instructor Ron Garan was struck by the stunning beauty of the Earth from space but sobered by knowing how much needed to be done to help this troubled planet. And yet on the International Space Station, Garan, a former fighter pilot, was working work side by side with Russians, who only a few years before were “the enemy.” If fifteen nations could collaborate on one of the most ambitious, technologically complicated undertakings in history, surely we can apply that kind of cooperation and innovation toward creating a better world. In this course Garan will convey what it was like learning to work with a diverse group of people in an environment only a handful of human beings have ever known. But more importantly, the course will address how we can apply the orbital perspective here at home, embracing new partnerships and processes to promote peace and combat hunger, thirst, poverty, and environmental destruction. This course is a call to action for each of us to care for the most important space station of all: planet Earth. The course will also involve participation in the Earthrise-2068 project. Working with people from around the world, students will help craft a vision of our future in the year 2068. Students will also help craft a crowdsource strategy for both the co-envisioned future of the world in 2068 and a roadmap to get there. Students will also participate in the crafting of a “call-to-action” to be delivered at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2017.
Created by: University of Arizona, University of Florida, Drexel University
Taught by: Ron Garan, Adjunct Professor
Science
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
The Orbital Perspective
In this first lesson the student will be introduced to the concept of the Orbital Perspective and given a glimpse to its implications for our global society.
3 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Orbital Perspective
- Reading: The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Foreword, Preface and Introduction
- Video: Overview
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Agenda
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 1- No Poverty
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Zero Hunger
- Discussion Prompt: Earthrise-2068 Facebook Group
WEEK 2
Looking Skyward - Part 1
In this lesson the student will be introduced to the history leading up to the International Space Station (ISS) partnership and to some of the technical and cultural challenges that faced the partners in the early days of the International Space Station Program
3 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapters One & Two
- Video: Ron Ted with full tour-HD
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 - Good Health & Well Being
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Quality Education
- Video: Recording of Live Discussion 1
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 1
WEEK 3
Looking Skyward - Part II
How did we go from those early days of mistrust and suspicion to building and operating the International Space Station? What was the secret ingredient that enabled a coalition of fifteen nations to work together systematically, in a fully integrated manner, to construct and operate the most complex structure ever built in space? Is there something we can learn from how the members of the ISS program learned to overcome differences and cultural misunderstandings in order to accomplish remarkable things together? Can we use these same techniques to reach agreements on things such as alleviating poverty, mitigating climate change, or achieving peaceful solutions to long-term conflicts?”
3 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapter Three
- Video: Pre-flight Remarks Before the Russian State Commission
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 - Gender Equality
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Clean Water & Sanitation
- Video: Recording of Live Discussion 2
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 2
Graded: 1 - Looking Skyward
WEEK 4
Looking Earthward - Part I
In this lesson the instructor will share a profound shift in perspective experienced during his first space mission and take a deep dive into the meaning of the orbital perspective. We will also explore examples how taking an orbital perspective can affect our global society.
7 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Planetary
- Reading: The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapters Four & Five
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 - Affordable & Clean Energy
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 - Decent Work & Economic Growth
- Video: Recording of Live Discussion 3
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 3
- Video: STS-124 Postflight Presentation
- Video: Cupola Corner with Chris Ferguson
- Video: Cupola Corner with Alexander Samokutyaev
- Video: Cupola Corner with Satoshi Furukawa
WEEK 5
Looking Earthward - Part II
In this lesson we will explore the frameworks we use to construct our view of the world and the implications of taking on a conviction that we do not have to accept the suffering and conflict on our planet as inescapable.
This lesson will also compare and contrast effective and ineffective forms of collaboration.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapter Six
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation, & Infrastrucure
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 - Reduced Ineqalities
- Video: We Want Peace
- Video: Conversations with Emmanuel Jal
Graded: 2 - Looking Earthward
WEEK 6
Looking Forward - Part I
In the third section of the course "Looking Forward", we will explore some of the many efforts to connect billions of minds and tap into our collective global genius. We will further examine the barriers to global collaboration and explore ways to break down those barriers. And we will hear some stories about amazing people who are building bridges to collaboration and making great strides toward overcoming our world’s biggest challenges.
This lesson will also explore what factors led to success in a very high stakes situation. Participants will be exposed to some of the “perverse incentives” that limit the effectiveness of global humanitarian development and crisis response efforts. This lesson should lead to a discussion on how to better provide assistance worldwide.
2 videos, 4 readings
- Reading: The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapter Seven and Eight
- Reading: Interview: Between the Lines
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities & Communities
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption & Production
- Video: Recording of Live Discussion 4
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 4
WEEK 7
Looking Forward - Part II
The exponential increase in collaborative technology is rapidly rewriting the way people and organizations interact. In this lesson we’ll look at several movements and initiatives that are synthesizing the orbital perspective and the worm’s eye view, making vast amounts of information accessible and bringing large groups of people together to work toward common causes. In some cases, collaboration is not facilitated by long-term personal relationships. Instead, the bond is the common cause, the shared experience, and in some cases simply being given the permission and means to help.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapter Nine
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Climate Action & Climate Action for Businesses
- Reading: UN Sustainability Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water
- Video: Call to Earth - A Message from the World's Astronauts to COP21
- Video: Recording of Live Session 5
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 5
WEEK 8
Call to Action - Part I
In these last three concluding lessons we will connect all the previous lessons into a specific “Call to Action”. Included in the call to action is a desire to spark a global conversation about the need to have a deeper level of collaboration toward solving the world’s toughest and most seemingly intractable problem.
In the lesson participants will be exposed to some of the efforts that are rewriting the way humans interact on and off our planet.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 - Life on Land
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 - Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion 6
- Video: Home
- Video: What Kind of World Do You Want?
- Reading: The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Conclusion
WEEK 9
Call to Action - Part II
This lesson will focus on methods to create an actual or virtual “Control Room of Spaceship Earth”.
1 video, 2 readings
- Reading: UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
- Reading: Ways you can Take Action to help achieve the SDGs
Graded: 3 - Looking Forward
WEEK 10
Call to Action - Part III
This concluding lesson will focus on ways to continue the momentum that was created by the course and continue to propel the Earthrise-2068 project forward.
1 video, 2 readings
- Reading: The Future Starts Now
- Reading: 20 Big Questions about the Future of Humanity
Graded: Earthrise 2068 Project
FAQs
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Creators
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is the state’s land-grant university and a member of the Association of American Universities—made up of just 62 universities in the country. As one of the world’s premier public research universities, the university conducts more than $625 million of research annually. Home to two allopathic medical schools in Tucson and Phoenix, the UA Tech Park, and a member of the Arizona Space Grant Consortium, the university creates an $8.3 billion economic impact for Arizona. U.S. News and World Report placed 14 University of Arizona graduate programs among the top 20 in the nation and it is one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars. With its strategic academic and business plan, “Never Settle,” as its guide, the university is producing graduates who are global citizens, engaged leaders, and fulfilled individuals.
University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in academic excellence, both on campus and online. Ranked in the top 20 of Public Universities, the University of Florida is the state’s oldest university and has a long established tradition of academic excellence.
Drexel University
Drexel is a comprehensive global research university ranked among the top 100 in the nation. With approximately 26,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities.
Drexel has built its global reputation on core achievements that include:
1. Leadership in experiential learning through Drexel Co-op.
2. A history of academic technology firsts.
3. Recognition as a model of best practices in translational, use-inspired research.
Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Drexel now engages with students and communities around the world via:
1. Three Philadelphia campuses and other regional sites.
2. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the nation’s oldest major natural science museum and research organization.
3. International research partnerships including China and Israel.
Drexel is one of Philadelphia's top 10 private employers, and a major engine for economic development in the region. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.
Ratings and Reviews
The content of the course is extremely inspiring. The videos as well as the excerpts of Ron's book provide rich insights and give valuable ideas. The assignments are very challenging - which is a good thiing :-) Where I see room for improvement: The interactive parts didn't really play out. It would have been fantastic to have live discussion that are live for the MOOC participants as well and allow for some active involvement. Some feedback from the course crew wouldn't have hurt, either. All in all, still an outstanding experience and a brilliant idea
Excellent! Inspiring! Life changing!
fun course and quite reflective. thanks.
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JS
Hopeful, idealistic. I could see glimmerings of the Star Trek universe. Being an astronaut is a pretty good job so when they got to see the view of Earth from space out there it gave them ideas. Maybe a little unrealistic or silly but the class does have some nice space shots and NASA footage. Plus the stuff about being an astronaut and the actual missions. Would be nice if it all comes true the way they want it.