Public Affairs 3620: US Aerospace Policy and the Global Space Economy

• In-class participation: 10%

• Online discussion forum: 15%

• Two ‘mid-term’ papers/practical assignments: 20% (each, approximately at weeks 5 and 10)

• Final examination: written policy brief and an oral presentation critique: 35%

We may have several practitioners of spaceflight activities, space policy, or related areas of expertise. These may be among the most useful times we have together, as far as investiture in actually internalizing course material, and seeing hard problems from various perspectives, vis-a-vis learning about spaceflight in the United States. I encourage you all to be prepared for these lectures by researching the backgrounds of those invited, and coming to class with significant questions to ask. Among the most valuable things we can give you in this class, an entree into a professional network may be the most valuable in the long-run, and this is an opportunity to leverage that network for yourself, your learning, and your future.

Students are expected to attend and participate in class - whether by Zoom or in person - as meaningful discussion of topics and case studies hinge on both preparation and participation. Missing class, not being prepared, and not contributing to course discussion or group activities will adversely affect a student’s participation grade.* Participation includes not only discussion of course concepts, but also careful listening and respect for others in the classroom. Furthermore, active participation is based on preparation and includes providing good, solid answers to questions. Good answers indicate that you are actively listening to your colleagues and providing comments relative to ongoing discussion. Relevant comments add to the group’s understanding of the material, challenge and/or clarify the ideas expressed by others, integrate material from past classes or other courses, and show evidence of analysis rather than mere opinion. 

It is good professional practice to advise the instructor prior to class if you are to be absent for any reason. 

Note: The instructor reserves the right to reallocate a portion of students’ participation grade to unannounced quizzes if it appears that students are not doing the reading before class. Up to 50% of the participation grade may be reallocated to unannounced quizzes.

Not all students are equally comfortable sharing “on the fly” in class, may have technical difficulties during any given on-line lecture, and valuable contributions to discussions are also found through thought and written communications. Therefore, we will also pursue online discourse in addition to activities in our classroom. Students will be graded for their participation in the online forums. Postings are expected to contain college-level thought and analysis and to maintain OSU’s standards for student conduct and online civility. Students are required to post weekly, and can be in response to other postings, or original contributions to the discussion. 

Guidance for acceptable posting and response postings:

• Topic postings – one per week
• 200-400 words
• Relevant to discussion in class, current events/activities, or other happenings in US and/or global space activities.
• Use complete well-written sentences, in English.
• Stay focused and concise

Forum discussion will be graded on the following criteria:

• Substance – appropriate and effective incorporation of leadership and management concepts
• Argument – ability to communicate clearly and persuasively
• Style – grammar, spelling, structure of postings
• External references and support for positions and arguments

Students will develop two “mid-term” (in quotations because they will not be due concurrent with the middle of the term) project/papers, relevant to topics from the classroom lectures, reading materials, and discussions. There will be a theme or choice of (no more than four) prompts from which to choose as part of the assignment, and the student will develop a well-reasoned discussion and analysis around these prompts and the assignment framework.

The papers will be graded on the following criteria: 

• Substance – appropriate treatment of key concepts
• Argument – ability to communicate clearly and persuasively
• Style – grammar, spelling, structure of slides
• Timing – demonstrate capacity to manage limited space appropriately
• Substantiation - evidence from outside class to support positions and arguments made in the paper.

Papers are expected to be ~10 pages in length, double spaced, with one-inch margins on all four sides, using a 12-point business (e.g., Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial) font. Students will submit papers in PDF format, uploaded through CARMEN or by email attachment.

The final examination will be a comprehensive analysis of a particular topic, subject, or challenge in US spaceflight and will be chosen by the student in conjunction with the instructor. The assignment is to develop a written policy action brief, along with an oral presentation to accompany the written brief. Students may think of this as an exercise to fulfill a spaceflight-policy related statement “I would like to make the case that (fill in the blank with a space actor or stakeholder) should (fill in the blank with a given action)” Because of the sizable enrollment in the class, and the need for oral presentations, this is a ‘two-person’ assignment, and you will work in collaboration with a partner on the final products.

The written product will provide a balanced analysis of the topic, relevant subject matter, discuss historical events and activities leading to the current situation, and offer a set of prescriptions/policies for the go-forward. It will be coupled with a oral presentation generated from the paper, and given to the class as part of the final four lectures. Ample training and guidance will be given to the students. 

The grading criteria will be the same as for the mid-term papers.