How to Predict the Future(s), Spring 2009

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Author:

Michael Nelson

Subject:

Humanities, Science and Technology, Social Sciences

Institution Name:

Georgetown University

Collection:

Georgetown OpenCourseware

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Abstract:

Over the last century, there have been many spectacularly bad predictions of how technology will evolve and how it will be used—and a few almost clairvoyant forecasts of technology trends. This course will investigate both. By examining predictions made about the Internet, video on demand, cellular telephony, nuclear power, and other technologies, students will attempt to discern why some predictions work and most don’t. Much of the course will be devoted to techniques in scenario planning and technology assessment which can help to prepare individuals and organizations for an uncertain and unpredictable future. For at least half of the classes, analysts, futurists, and professional forecasters will give guest lectures.

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Full Course, Readings, Syllabi

Media Format:

Text/HTML, Downloadable docs

Conditions of Use:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0