INTL 5870: International Law and Politics of Outer Space

Course Description

This course will provide students with an opportunity to study the historical background of the creation and development of space law. This will include analyzing politics which have shaped space policy, space access (rockets, the Space Shuttle, to private spaceships), Space Exploration Initiative, Space Launch Initiative, space policy and globalization, along with various military issues such as Sputnik, the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI/"Star Wars"), the militarization of outer space and other topics.

The course content includes tools to expose students to a historical, as well as a critical analytical approach to study space law. The goal is to enable students to more deeply understand space law and how it is connected to politics, including change and emerging trends. As an added bonus, students will also have an opportunity to learn more about space tourism, private space industries and other emerging patterns regarding space exploration, astronautics, space technology and space law. This will include a study and analysis of current U.S. domestic space law and policy, international law and domestic space laws of other countries. The course and students research will enable them to understand the distinction between and Cold War era and the Post Cold War era as it involves these political and lawmaking activities.

Course Objectives

Listed below are the long-term objectives you should be striving towards as a participant AND contributor in this course.

Possess a working knowledge of space law and space policy, and will be able to understand the intersections between the two fields and see them as a subfield of international relations.
Have developed their ability to research and to critically analyze newly emerging trends regarding outer space.
Be able to apply theories of international relations to the practice of international events, laws and actions.
Have further developed their written communication skills.
Understand current developments concerning outer space development.
Reflect and think critically about the link between technology, politics and law.
Understand the relevance of distinct and measurable time periods and political climates (moods), and to use this particular type of insight to better understand and explain why phenomena occur.
Use key concepts of international relations in order to articulate activities regarding outer space, such as "key actors", "power" and "politics."
Be able to explain the commercialization and privatization processes regarding outer space.

Prerequisites

It is assumed the student has adequate writing and analytical skills. Also, as for all Internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated.

Course Materials

Please go to MBS Direct to find the appropriate textbooks for this course.

Please be aware when purchasing your textbooks that the International versions of the text may differ from the Domestic (North American) version required for your course.

Click here for more information about textbooks for online courses..

Course Activities

The course will be conducted entirely online. Students are expected to participate in all course activities as assigned by the instructor. Course activities may include extensive reading, papers, presentations, discussions, quizzes, and/or group projects.

Discussions:
Student "active" participation in online discussions is mandatory. It is expected that students' comments should integrate their own experience with the topic. Discussion dialogue should always be substantive, thoughtful, respectful, and meaningful with the instructor and other students. Discussion questions could be based on any course material such as weekly assignments and readings.

Additional:
The instructor may assign additional essays, research reports, current event assignments, and presentations.

Participation:
The instructor reserves the right to drop any student enrolled in the course who fails to participate in class appropriately, e.g., nonparticipation in discussions and/or failure to submit assignments.

Policy Statements

University policies are provided in the current course catalog and course schedules. They are also available on the university website. This class is governed by the university's published policies. The following policies are of particular interest:

Academic Honesty:
The university is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be held responsible for violations of these standards. The university reserves the right to utilize electronic databases, such as Turnitin.com, to assist faculty and students with their academic work. Please refer to the university's academic honesty policies for a definition of academic dishonesty and potential disciplinary actions associated with it.

Drops and Withdrawals:
Please be aware that, should you choose to drop or withdraw from this course, the date on which you notify the university of your decision will determine the amount of tuition refund you receive. Please refer to the university policies on drops and withdrawals (published elsewhere) to find out what the deadlines are for dropping a course with a full refund and for withdrawing from a course with a partial refund.

Disturbances:
Since every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption, disruption of class by inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course.

Student Assignments Retained:
>From time to time, the department will retain student assignments or projects for the purpose of academic assessment. In every case, should the assignment or project be shared outside the academic department, the student's name and all identifying information about that student will be redacted from the assignment or project.

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

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