Description

This module will draw together concepts of habitability from across the university, starting in our own Solar System and exploring how we find and understand habitable planets in the wider galaxy using modern telescopes. We will look at life at the extremes, considering extremophiles on Earth, and what they might tell us about habitable conditions elsewhere, before approaching the sustainability and long term habitability of our own planet.

Besides this initial exploration of the realities of habitability, we will turn to our own reactions to it. Popular culture is replete with the idea of the other, within our normal environment and outside of it. A sense of precariousness underpins literature and film, such as Ridley Scott’s The Martian, and in cinema the development of special effects is closely linked to the presentation of alien life and other worlds.

Structure

The overall module will consist of weekly 2 hour sessions, usually comprising a lecture followed by a more interactive seminar and discussion. During the lecture we will introduce new concepts from differing departmental perspectives. The seminars will allow the students the opportunity to synthesise these concepts into a complete understanding of ‘Habitability in the Universe’. These seminars will consist of guided discussions and group activities, as relevant to each topic covered. Each week will be led by academics from the appropriate departments. We will cover a scientific conception of habitability, in the solar system and galaxy, as well as expanding the concept progressively to include habitability in the arts.

Illustrative Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction and Defining Life – David Armstrong (Physics)

Week 2: Redefining Habitability - Life at the Extremes - Jose Gutierrez-Marcos (Life Sciences)

Week 3: Habitability in the Solar System/Examination pathways – David Brown (Physics)

Week 4: The Early Modern Space Age - Michael Bycroft (History)

Week 5: How the World Works - Jess Savage (GSD)

Week 6: The (Un)Inhabitable Worlds of Science Fiction - Nora Castle (English)

Week 7: Habitability in Film: The Martian – Liam Rogers (Film and Television Studies)

Week 8: Humans, Chickens and Tardigrades - Multicellular life at the extremes - Kevin Moffat (Life Sciences)

Week 9: Neocatastrophism - Elizabeth Stanway (Physics)

Week 10: Exoplanets and environments off Earth - Heather Cegla (Physics)

Student Perspective

Emily took the Habitability in the Universe in 2021. HereLink opens in a new window she speaks about her experience.

Module convenor

Dr David Armstrong
(D dot J dot Armstrong at warwick dot ac dot uk)

When

Term 2 (Spring) 2022-23
Fridays 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm

Where

FAB0.23 (Faculty of Arts Building)

Assessment

For 10 CATS:
1500 word Essay/Report/Literature Review (60%)
15 minute student presentation
+ 5 minutes of questions (40%)

For 20 CATS:
2500 word Essay/Report/Literature Review (60%)
15 minute student presentation
+ 5 minutes of questions (40%)