Looking Forward: Economy, Society, Change

First Year Seminar
a writing-intensive class looking at the future and Kalamazoo

Fall 2000
Chuck Stull
cstull@kzoo.edu


Kalamazoo Information

Economy/ technology

Social/ Political

Environment




Course Description

This seminar will explore the future from a variety of perspectives.  We will examine change over time and the impact on society.  We will consider means of forecasting, predicting, and planning for the future.  We will look at past changes and future possibilities.  We will look at how people live, and use Kalamazoo as a case study.  We will work to improve fundamental academic skills in investigation, analysis, communication, and collaboration through our readings, discussions, writings, research, and presentations.
 

Readings:

Most of our class reading will be on-line; we will also use the following books

1) The Art of the Long View, Peter Schwartz; Doubleday 1991

2) Elements of Style, Strunk and White

3) Hodges' Harbrace Handbook
 

Online Readings:

 Jihad vs. McWorld
 

The Most Overpopulated Nation

The Doomslayer

The Transparent Society

How Business is Reshaping America

What Main Street Can Learn from the Mall
 
 
 


Links

Communication:
 

Elements of Style by William Strunk

Web Design links

Links on public speaking: Virtual Presentation Assistant and Speech Workbook


Technology:
 

The Atlantic Monthly looks at The 21st Century

A Rand Report on Critical Technologies

Links to some sites about the future

Urban Issues:
 
Links to some sites about urban issues

Geography Links

Sustainable Land Use.

Kalamazoo:
 
Some basic information about Kalamazoo

Southwest Michigan maps and data

Kalamazoo Comprehensive Plan

Statistical Studies of Kalamazoo

The Futures of Kalamazoo



To go to my homepage click here

Kalamazoo College Homepage
 
 

Questions, problems or comments?
email cstull@kzoo.edu
 
 
 

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