J. F. Kennedy and the politics of the space race

In 1961 Kennedy pledged to send a man to the moon. A year later he declared: "I'm not that interested in space". This workshop explores the political manoeuvring that fuelled, fanned and eventually killed the space race.

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Key course information

Date
06/11/11

Day(s)
Sun

Duration
1 week

Time
10:30 - 15:30

Fees
Full fee: £38^NC

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HH328

Availability
This course has finished

^NC: No concessionary fees available as there is no government funding for this course.

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

The early period of outer space history is generally looked at ‘through the wrong end of the telescope’ – assumptions made are based on the successful moon landing of 1969. This course goes back to the beginnings of the US/Soviet ‘space race’ and looks at the manoeuvrings on both sides of the Iron Curtain that delivered space spectaculars from Sputnik to Mercury and seeks to understand the actions of Khrushchev, Eisenhower and Kennedy in using space exploration to further their political aims – especially around prestige, national security and geopolitics.

What topics will we cover?

We will deconstruct the myths of the early space race looking in particular at:

Khrushchev, Korolev and the Soviet propagandisation of space
The Sputnik Autumn and the US reaction to a ‘Red Moon Rising’
Eisenhower’s space policy
The Missile Gap – a key issue in the 1960 US Presidential Election
Kennedy’s Moon Pledge
Lost Premier, Lost President, Lost Direction – the space programme after Khrushchev and Kennedy and what ‘Task Accomplished’ meant for Apollo.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

Show you understand the roles played by the key politicians and their agencies in the early years of the space race.
Have the ammunition to reassess the contribution made by Khrushchev, Eisenhower and Kennedy towards space policy and the way it was implemented.
Have an awareness of the historical importance of the space race as a Cold War battlefield.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an `introductory` course and does not assume previous study or reading although you will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. As with most of our courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

This is a one day, highly participative course. It will involve a mixture of video, course leader presentations and the analysis of key documents (press releases, newspaper articles, speeches etc) to enable us jointly to build a picture of the early years of the race into space.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no other costs – some reading will be suggested for after the event if you wish to take the subject further. All you need on the day is a pen and paper for any notes you wish to make.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.