Futures Literacy for humanities research

Content

Futures literacy is a well-established research field. It covers analysis of and capabilities to imagine and anticipate multiple possible futures that differ from the present. This requires (1) to become aware of the many assumptions we make about the future, (2) a capability of imagining new futures to reframe our thinking, and (3) the ability to relate alternative futures to the present and rethink present-day strategies of action. The course develops the students' theoretical and methodological knowledge in the field of Futures Literacy. During the course, the students' future awareness is trained, based on the premise that the future is a collection of contemporary practices in which notions of the future are continuously realized. The course introduces the concept and use of Futures Literacy, taking a perspective from the humanities. Topics and methods to be discussed include future consciousness, anticipation, and foresight. The course provides the students with basic skills in analysing and understanding relationships between present and future societies in global perspectives and related to their own research.