Absent from much current space education is instruction in the human dimension of space research and exploration. This slideshow addresses this gap with Introduction to Astrosociology, a competency-based, college and professional-level course, offering multidisciplinary instruction in the reciprocal relationship between outer space and human societies. Developed as part of the Astrosociology Research Institute's Astrosociology in the Classroom initiative, this course draws upon research in the social and behavioral sciences, the humanities, and the arts to facilitate student understanding of how space affects human societies right now and into the future. Course themes analyze political and social imperatives related to space, technology transfers, privatization of exploration, commercialization of space assets, planetary defense, discovery of non-Earth life, space tourism, law and medicine. Based in the emerging discipline of astrosociology, this course helps to prepare students and professionals alike for humanity's spacefaring future.

1. Space Education and Exploration:
Astrosociology in the Classroom
Kathleen D. Toerpe, PhD
Deputy CEO-Public Outreach
and Education
Astrosociology Research Institute
© 2013
Jim Pass, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
100 Year Starship
Symposium 2013
Houston, TX

2. What is Astrosociology?
• Multidisciplinary Field
• Formally organized in 2003 by Jim Pass
• Goal: Research astrosocial phenomena
Human social, cultural, and behavioral
patterns related to space
• Research
• Policy
• Funding
• Law
• Medicine
• Exploration
• Settlement
• Expectations
• Beliefs and Values
• New Life Forms

3. Astrosociological Frontier
• Social Sciences, Arts, Humanities –
underexplored in space education & STEM
programs
• Space-related issues - underexplored in social
science, arts & humanities programs
Astrosociology Research Institute
•Created 2008 as a non-profit dedicated to . . .
 Research
 Education
 Outreach
. . . to explore the human dimension of outer space

4. ARI’s Initiatives
Astrosociology in
the Classroom
Education & Outreach
Astrosociological
Insights
Quarterly newsletter
Journal of
Astrosociology
Refereed academic
journal
Astrosociology
Reader
Textbook and readings

5. Introduction To
Astrosociology
Astrosociology in the Classroom
Initiative
•College/professional level course
•Early career or continuing education
•Prepare for real-world challenges created
by humans interacting with space
•Formulate responses to those challenges

6. Competency-based
Astrosocial perspective
Multidisciplinary
Impact
Collaboration

7. Competencies
• Develop an astrosocial perspective
• Address challenges in space research, policy,
exploration & future possible settlement
• Assess impact of space activities on core
institutions in society
• Appreciate astrosociology as a
multidisciplinary field
• Collaborate with circle of stakeholders
• Relate space to our astrosociological
imagination

8. Inquiry-driven
• Guiding Questions
• Real-life Case Studies
• Generate Deeper Questions
• Reveal Broader Connections
• Tapping Innate Curiosity

9. Learner-Centered
• Student-Directed
 Interests
 Goals
• Hands-on Participation
 Projects
 Discussions
 Team Activities

10. Collaborative
Physical
Sciences
Social
Sciences
ArtsHumanities

11. Critical & Creative Abilities
• Whole
Brain
• Reasoning
• Logic
• Imagination
• Wonder

12. Course Overview
Role of
Social
Sciences,
Arts &
Humanities
Why
Explore?
Space
&
Humanity
Impacts on
Earth
Exporting
Earth
Creating
New Worlds
New Worlds
Old
Problems
Private
Enterprise
Tourism
Law & Order
Health &
Well-being
Risk,
Safety &
Order
New Life
Forms
Planetary
Defense
Spacefaring
Future
Challenge
&
Possibility

13. Implementation
• Exploratory Needs Analysis
• Online Offerings
• Real-Time, Online Workshops
• Collaborative Formats with Schools
• Flexible Start and Finish Dates
• Customized Syllabi to Suit

14. Sample Lesson Module
Privatization and Commercialization of
Space Exploration
Some Major Guiding Questions
•What is the role of private individuals and organizations
in space exploration?
•What role do governments continue to have in space
exploration through policy and law?
•Who owns space? Should space be free to all?
•How does the media reflect and influence our space
priorities?
•What is the role of crowdfunding (Kickstarter,
Indiegogo, etc.) and Citizen Science in space
exploration?

15. Sample Lesson – Module #7
Privatization and Commercialization of
Space Exploration
Linked Course Competencies
•Utilize an astrosocial perspective to evaluate and address social issues and
problems on Earth related to outer space.
•Apply an astrosocial perspective to evaluate and address challenges in space
research, policy, exploration and possible future extraterrestrial settlement.
•Expand collaborative circle of stakeholders in space research, exploration,
education and other activities to include scholars, practitioners and students of
the social sciences, humanities and the arts.
Module Learning Objectives
•Evaluate the impact of private entrepreneurial and commercial initiatives on
overall space research and exploration.
•Analyze how governments spearhead space research and exploration through
policy, legislation and funding (NASA, JAXA, ESA, etc.).
•Explain the role of the mass media and crowd-sourced funding and research in
influencing the direction and content of space research.

16. Life
Technology Societies
Human

17. Science
Society
Humanity
Astrosociology

18. Continue the Discussion?
Jim Pass and Kathleen D. Toerpe
jpass@astrosociology.org
ktoerpe@astrosociology.org
@astrosociology
@ktoerpe
www.astrosociology.org
Astrosociology . . .
Exploring the human dimension of outer space