HRCFS and Futures Studies at the University of Hawaii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Vision Statement

Activities of the HRCFS

HRCFS and Futures Studies at the University of Hawaii

Futures Studies at UH beyond the MA

HRCFS and the World Futures Studies Federation

HRCFS and International Space University

Other activities of the HRCFS

Manoa Journal of Fried and Half Fried Ideas (about the future...)
 
Jim Dator's Vitae
short version
long version

Papers by Jim Dator

Papers by Prominent Futurists

Futures Syllabi

Past and Present Futures Folks

Links to Futures Groups

Futures Discussion Group

Dissertations by Futures Students

 

The UH Political Science Department has offered undergraduate and graduate courses in political futures studies since 1969. In 1978, the *Alternative Futures M.A. Option* was created in order to offer an advanced degree for people who wish to engage in futures research professionally from a political science perspective. Undergraduate work in futures studies may be undertaken within the Department of Political Science, while an undergraduate major in futures studies can be personally tailored through the UH Liberal Studies Program.

A freshman-level introduction to political futures studies, Political Science 171, is taught both online and in classrooms. It is available to any qualified person, worldwide, as an entirely *web-based course* or as a classroom course for undergraduate students enrolled not only at the University of Hawaii at Manoa but also at many of the other campuses of the University of Hawaii system. There is also an advanced undergraduate course, Political Science 342, Futuristics and Political Design, which is presently only available as a classroom course at the Manoa campus. It focuses on various political designs for a future settlement on Mars.

The Alternative Futures M.A. Option within the Department of Political Science of the University of Hawaii normally takes two to three academic years. One or more years are devoted to course work, including two required futures core courses (Polsci 672 and Polsci 673), three (out of eight) core political science courses (Polsci 610-680), two courses in research methods (Polsci 601 and Communications 696), and three electives, one of which must be a 700-level seminar. The final year entails a paid internship where the student applies futures theories and methods to planning and policy making in an organization providing an intern position. Most interns have worked in the Institute for Alternative Futures in Alexandria, Virginia. The Center has had an ongoing relation with the Institute since helping establish it in 1976. Internships (sometimes paid and sometimes not) in other public or private organizations are also tailored to the needs and preferences of each member of the Option. Students preferring not to intern may choose to write a future-oriented MA thesis instead.

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