UCIL31212 and UCIL31712
The Nuclear Age: Global Nuclear Threats from Hiroshima to Today
- Semester 2
- Blended
- 10 and 20 credits
About
Understand the impact of nuclear weapons on global politics, history and culture.
This unit, led by Dr Simone Turchetti, aims to explore how nuclear weapons have shaped culture and society.
Fears surrounding nuclear weapons remain prominent today and have been so ever since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War Two. This unit offers you a unique opportunity to learn about these fears, the global history and politics of nuclear weapons, and the cultural expressions of the nuclear age.
Nuclear weapons have shaped world politics in decisive ways through proliferation and testing, accidents, and global events such as the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. In the unit, you'll:
- Study how global nuclear threats have been a critical feature of recent history up to today's nuclear terrorism and the emergence of new nuclear powers such as North Korea.
- Develop an understanding of nuclear culture through film, literature, poetry, television, music, art, cartoons and more.
- Explore how nuclear weapons have transformed our society at large and human affairs.
Unit details
What should I know about this unit?
The Nuclear Age: Global Nuclear Threats from Hiroshima to Today
Course Unit Code
UCIL31212 (10 Credits)
UCIL31712 (20 Credits)
Course Unit Details
- Level 3
- Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine
The unit aims to:
- Introduce you to the global history and politics of nuclear weapons.
- Explore how nuclear weapons have shaped culture and society.
- Examine and assess the global impact of the nuclear age on human affairs.
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
- Identify the origins of nuclear weapons and the debates surrounding their use from 1945 onwards
- Describe the reasons underlying the proliferation and control of nuclear weapons and their effect on international politics and military strategy
- Assess the roles and relationships of nuclear science and states during and after the Cold War
- Analyse cultural expressions of the nuclear age including film, literature, poetry, television, music, art, cartoons, video-games and architecture
- Evaluate the broader impacts of nuclear weapons on society through education, gender relations, protest movements and more
- Prepare written reviews/essays aimed at different audiences
In addition, for 20 credits:
- Research and write a literature-based, independently-conceived review, drawing on your interests and integrating historical, technical and cultural contexts
- Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the end of the Second World War
- Nuclear proliferation and anxiety in the decade after Hiroshima
- The Hydrogen Bomb and Nuclear Fear, 1950-1965
- The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
- Meltdown and Broken arrows! Chernobyl and other nuclear accidents
- Massive Proliferation: MAD, MIRVs and Minutemen
- A new crisis point? Nuclear Winter and Able Archer, 1983
- Resisting the Bomb: Pugwash, CND and other anti-nuclear movements
- End of the Cold War and Nuclear Terrorism
- The Nuclear 'Rogue' States
- Atomic Past and Nuclear Futures
10 Credits
- 11 x 1 hour online lectures
- 11 x 1 hour face-to-face seminars
NB Student must be available to attend the full 2 hour class each week
20 Credits
Students have the same contact hours as above, plus a fortnightly 1 hour seminar alternated with one-to-one meetings with the unit convenor.
10 Credits
Students will select TWO out of the following THREE coursework assignments:
- 1500 to 2000 word book review
- 1500 to 2000 word mini-research project
- 1500 to 2000 word essay
Each one of the selected assignments will contribute 50% towards the final mark.
20 Credits
Students will select TWO out of the following THREE coursework assignments as below:
- 1500 to 2000 word book review
- 1500 to 2000 word mini-research project
- 1500 to 2000 word essay
Each one of the selected assignments will contribute 25% towards the final mark. Plus a 3000-word project report (50%)
- Dr Simone Turchetti
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