Steve Rennie posted this news of an MA course at Leeds Metropolitan University
It has become increasingly clear that human decisions and actions
play an important part in determining the future of both humanity and
the world in which we live. At the start of the 21st century we are
faced with a range of questions in economic, social, political and
technological fields which could have major significance for the
future. Many of these questions raise important ethical issues. They
are also frequently surrounded by uncertainty.
To make effective decisions we would need knowledge of the future
impact of alternative courses of action that we cannot possess. We
are consequently forced to make decisions, which have long term
implications in conditions of considerable uncertainty. Foresight and
Futures Studies, a developing international discipline, aims to
critically examine the difficulties associated with making decisions
with long term future consequences in conditions of uncertainty and
to provide methods through which these difficulties can be minimised
and a creative approach to the future adopted.
Among the questions facing humanity is the growing awareness of our
dependence on the fragile earth and the impact of human activity over
the last 200 years on it. We are faced with the possibility that our
species could be working towards its own destruction. We cannot be
certain, until it is too late, but the awareness of the possibility
creates a novel circumstance. If, for example, we are the first
generation that influences global climate, and the last generation to
escape the consequences, we have moved into a new era in which we are
responsible as never before for what happens in the future.
To an extent, we have had this responsibility since humanity first
planted crops, started making tools and began to use fire, but ours
is the first generation to become aware of our impact and,
consequently, to understand the nature of our responsibility.
Previous generations have been able to live without this knowledge,
to act in their present assuming that the future would look after
itself. We do not have that privilege. Our technology, which if
anything, is the cause of the problem, has also given us the ability
to perceive it. Human technology has grown so powerful and human
numbers have increased so remarkably that the future is not what it
used to be. In such circumstances we need to develop our capability
to critically assess our potential impact on the future and make
decisions accordingly.
Technology, which is itself a product of human ingenuity, is having
increasing implications for society. Information Technology, for
example, has been called a meta-technology because it has potential
implications across a wide range of situations including employment,
transport, and the home. The nature of the impact, whether it will be
beneficial or harmful and to whom, is subject to wide ranging debate.
The ethical issues raised by bio-technology, particularly genetic
engineering, are likely to increase as the possibilities of human
intervention in natural processes grow. The potential of molecular
manufacturing and other emerging technologies and the issues they
raise have yet to be explored.
Social changes, particularly demographic changes in the size and
location of world population and the ageing of western populations
pose major ethical and political issues. In the west projections
anticipate a smaller working age population supporting a growing
number of pensioners who will require increasing expenditure on
health care and social welfare. At the same time some commentators
foresee major changes in employment which will raise important social
concerns, and question the ability of society to support large
numbers of dependents.
The future, as we approach the third millennium, seems ever more
uncertain and even threatening. The mechanistic model of reality, on
which Industrial Society was built, is increasingly challenged by
advances in scientific knowledge. The developing ideas of, for
example, Chaos Theory suggest that established methods of
understanding reality and assumptions about influencing the future
are more limited than once envisaged and that new approaches are
required. The problems that confront us are frequently ill
structured, "We do not know what information is needed; we have few
comprehensive models and no prescription for how to process the
information we have. Even worse, there is no end to the problem."
Such situations require an approach and an education that accepts
complexity and uncertainty and provides the means to deal effectively
with them. Foresight and Futures Studies offers such an approach
accepting responsibility for the future and of the importance of
human action in influencing it .
This is no easy task and raises many philosophical and practical
difficulties. The inherent uncertainty of the future means that we
cannot know in advance what the impact of some of our actions will
be, or how others will react to them. While we can anticipate some of
the future discoveries which will be made, we know little about the
impact they will have on our lives.
Foresight and Futures Studies offer concepts and methods to work with
the difficulties of an uncertain future and to help us deal
constructively with a rapidly changing present. They can assist the
development of the ability to influence the future rather than merely
predict it. To make the future happen for us rather than happen to
us.
By focusing attention on the future Foresight and Futures Studies is
concerned with the direction that society is taking, rather than
where it has come from. In doing so it offers a unique perspective
and affords opportunities for the development of the understanding
and skills necessary for dealing effectively with the future. The
course aims to develop this understanding and these skills to assist
a range of social actors in the private, public and voluntary
sectors.
The course is composed of three main parts: the Futures Core, the electives and the dissertation.
The four core modules define and consolidate the intellectual and academic philosophy of the course. The Introduction to Foresight and Futures Studies provides a firm grounding in the Futures approach through: an analysis of the various strands of the field in practice and theory; an examination of the historical development of Futures; discussion of some of the issues raised by Foresight activity; and an examination of the writings of major authors in the field. Issues for the Future offers a broad perspective of concerns that have potential importance for the future and an opportunity to begin a more detailed analysis of a particular issue. Methods of Foresight and Futures Studies provides an overview of the range of methods and techniques available for thinking about the future and an opportunity to develop abilities in selected areas. Futures Dilemmas involves an in depth examination of the theoretical and ethical issues raised by the future and human responsibility for it.
The two elective modules offer the opportunity to explore or
develop your own personal, professional or vocational interests in
Foresight within the framework of a defined field of study. The
electives may be selected from the Masters level modules offered by
the University or undertaken as a learning contract.
Elective 1 will normally be selected
Elective 2 will normally be selected
The electives provide the opportunity to develop substantive knowledge and skills to which the foresight perspective developed in the core modules can be applied. You will be able to draw on the special skills available throughout the University to assist you to pursue your chosen electives. The following Futures menu of electives is being developed, but your choice is not constrained to these areas. The number of electives available at any one time will be determined by the course team to reflect the prevailing resource situation and student demand.
You will also be able to select electives from Masters modules
provided within the University subject to availability and
satisfactory study arrangements
Where you choose to undertake a learning contracts you will be
encouraged to relate your studies to experiential learning
opportunities in the workplace or similar situation. If you opt to
undertake two such learning contracts you will be encouraged to
relate one to the exploration of an issue of concern and one to the
development of abilities in Foresight methods.
The Dissertation is regarded as the culmination of the educational
experience provided by the course in which you apply the
understanding and skills developed in the core to a detailed study of
an area of specific concern. Where appropriate this may draw on and
develop work already undertaken during the electives. You will also
be encouraged to relate your work to issues of direct relevance to
your own activities. Although traditional methods of presentation, in
the form of a 15-20,000 word dissertation, will not be discouraged,
you will be encouraged to consider alternative forms and methods that
may be more appropriate to your circumstances or topic, and which
allow you to develop your skills of presentation.
The course will require attendance at three 2 day weekend sessions
per semester, with an additional induction session at the
commencement of your studies. These sessions will provide the
opportunity for formal lectures by members of the course team and
visiting speakers and discussion with your fellow students.
Throughout the course you will be part of a learning group for the
exchange of ideas and experiences with staff and students both during
and between the weekend sessions.
Graham May at Leeds Metropolitan University, g.may@lmu.ac.uk
Steve Rennie "Rennie, Steve [HSC]" <S.Rennie@lmu.ac.uk>
or see Leeds Metropolitan University web page
http://www.lmu.ac.uk