EXP 105: The Nuclear Challenge

EXP 105: THE NUCLEAR CHALLENGE
Fall 2009

Course Overview
Tentative Course Outline
Course Resources
Tentative syllabus
More about EXP 105

The Trouble with Zero, Philip Taubman, NYTimes, 5/9/09

Courses

Classes meet Wednesdays 2:15 - 4:45 P.M., Room 104 SC
Nancy H. Kolodny
Office:258 SC	Research Lab: L225
Telephone: x3044	e-mail: nkolodny@wellesley.edu
Website: www.wellesley.edu/Chemistry/kolodnyn.html
Office Hours:	Tuesday 1:30-3:00 P.M.
	Monday,Thursday 9:00-11:00 A.M.
	or by appointment
FirstClass Conference:	EXP105-01-F09
Library page: Library/Research/Classes/exp105.html

Since the discovery of nuclear fission in the 1930s, the potential of nuclear energy both for war and for peace has presented an ongoing challenge to humanity. Daily newspaper accounts of developments in Iran and North Korea and of the need for sources of energy other than fossil fuels highlight the importance of understanding the potential of the nucleus. This course will examine the development of nuclear weapons and the treaties limiting them, as well as the ongoing danger of nuclear terrorism. It will also examine peaceful uses of nuclear energy for the generation of electricity and for medical diagnosis and treatment, as well as the waste disposal problems that result from these uses. Course materials will include primary and secondary historical documents, literature, music and films.

"The Nuclear Challenge" will meet once a week for 150 minutes. There will be a 10 minute break in the middle of the class period. Classes will be in a discussion format. Guest lecturers from the Wellesley faculty and beyond will share their expertise on such topics as the historical background leading to the development of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons as seen through drama and music, nuclear disarmament treaties, and electricity production. We will visit the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station.

Assignments will include two or three short papers during the semester and a final paper/presentation. Quizzes may be given to encourage mastery of factual material.

Your grade in EXP 105 will depend on:

Papers and Quizzes 40%
Class participation 20%
Final project/presentation 40%

Click here to return to the top of this page

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction
The science of the nucleus: radioactivity, nuclear fission and fusion
Setting the stage: Europe and Asia between World Wars I and II
The Manhattan Project; the development and use of nuclear weapons by the U.S. in Japan
The Arts and nuclear weapons: “Copenhagen” and “Doctor Atomic”
Post-WW II atomic weapons development and controversy
Nuclear non-proliferation treaties
Peaceful uses of nuclear energy: generation of electricity; nuclear medicine
Nuclear waste disposal
Nuclear terrorism

COURSE RESOURCES

Books we will read extensively:

In bookstore as paperback version: Megawatts and Megatons: The Future of Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons/ Richard L. Garwin and Georges Charpak, Chicago, IL, The University of Chicago Press, 2001, 2002.

Also available as electronic resource: Megawatts and megatons [electronic resource]: a turning point in the nuclear age? / Richard L. Garwin & Georges Charpak.
In bookstore as paperback version: Copenhagen, Michael Frayn, New York, New York, Anchor Books, 2000.

Also available on reserve PR6056.R3 C64 2000
Photocopy of out-of-print book [distributed in class]: Harry S. Truman and the Bomb: A Documentary History/ Robert H. Ferrell, Ed., Worland, WY, High Plains Publishing Co., 1996.
In bookstore as paperback version: Best of intentions: America’s campaign against strategic weapons proliferation, Henry D. Sokolski, Westport, Conn., Praeger, 2001.

Also available on reserve JZ5675 .S66 2001
In bookstore: TMI 25 Years Later, Bonnie A. Osif, Anthony J. Baratta, Thomas W. Conkling, University Park, PA, The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2004.

Also available on reserve at luna.wellesley.edu/search/
mTK1345.H37+O85+2004/mtk+1345+h37+o85+2004/
-3,-1,,B/browse" TK1345.H37 O85 2004
In bookstore: The Nuclear Express, Thomas C. Reed and Danny B. Stillman, Minneapolis, MN , Zenith Press (an imprint of MBI Publishing Company,) 2009.

Other books and journals from which we will read chapters and articles are on e-reserve on our course conference.

Research Resources: Ms. Betty Febo of the Clapp Library has prepared an extensive Research Resource page that includes documents, websites, etc. It may be accessed through the Library home page, Research Resources by Subject, Library instruction class guide, EXP 105 or at www.wellesley.edu/Library/Research/Classes/exp105.html

TENTATIVE SYLLABUS
Class	Date	Topic
1	9/9	Introduction “Nukes in the News” Science of the nucleus
2	9/16	Asia in the 1930’s and 40’s Guest: Professor Y. Tak Matsusaka Europe in the 1930’s and 40’s Guest: Professor Quinn Slabodian
3	9/23	The Manhattan Project: Nuclear weapons development “The Day After Trinity”
4	9/30	The Arts and nuclear weapons: “Copenhagen” and “Doctor Atomic” Guests: Professors Nora Hussey & Diego Arciniegas
5	10/7	Debate on President Truman’s Decision Nuclear proliferation/Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaties Guest: Professor Robert Paarlberg
	10/14	Monday Schedule – no class
6	10/18	Make-up class (for pre-Thanksgiving cancellation): “Doctor Atomic” Guest: Professor Rebecca Cypess, New England Conservatory of Music
7	10/21	Electricity Generation & Distribution in U.S. Guest: Mr. Jeremy Newberger, National Grid Nuclear energy: science/technology/politics/economics
8	10/28	Development of student survey on nuclear issues; Introduction to research resources Guest: Ms Betty Febo
9	11/4	Visit to Seabrook Nuclear Power Station
10	11/11	Three Mile Island (TMI), Chernobyl and beyond Discussion of results of student survey on nuclear issues
11	11/18	Nuclear Medicine; Nuclear Waste Disposal; Nuclear Terrorism
	11/25	No class (rescheduled above)
12	12/2	Student Presentations: Global Nuclear Energy
13	12/9	Student presentations: Global nuclear energy