This course is designed to introduce the historical case studies of critical decision-making over the development and use of nuclear weapons and technology. Main topics include: Atoms for peace, development and comparative analysis of nuclear power policies, international regime for nuclear material control, crisis analysis of nuclear disaster, and nuclear security. The course also include engineering ethics issues such as contentious "big data and ethics (weapons of math destruction" and "pseudo science".
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
• acquire the basic concepts and understanding of the topics covered in this course thorough literature reading;
• develop capabilities of analyzing the historical and current cases of critical decision-making over the development and use of nuclear technology;
• demonstrate capabilities of discussing the complexity of specific nuclear policy issues through critical thinking and essay work.
science & technology, research & development policy analysis, technology and security,nuclear technology and nuclear security, nuclear power policy
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
This course consists of obligatory lectures and seminars, oral presentation of the students' independent research (individually or in group), and final essay.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction: Atoms for Peace in the age of Big Science | Introduction Atoms for Peace President Eisenhower's historic address at the UN "Atoms for Peace" paved the way for the civilian use of nuclear power. |
Class 2 | Japan's nuclear policy analysis | Japan's nuclear policy analysis prompted by "Atoms for peace" and the US-Soviet Cold War confrontation. |
Class 3 | International regime for the control of nuclear materials | International regime for the control of nuclear materials as a highly strategic issue |
Class 4 | International comparative analysis of nuclear policy Nuclear technology and nuclear security | International comparative analysis of nuclear policy; e.g. US, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, China; Nuclear technology and nuclear security |
Class 5 | Examining nuclear catastrophe: Fukushima, Chernobyl, etc. by Prof. Narabayashi | What went wrong with the nuclear catastrophes in Fukushima, Chernobyl, etc.? |
Class 6 | Environment & energy policy and pseudo science by external expert (Uppsala University) | Environment & energy policy and pseudo science by external expert (Uppsala University) |
Class 7 | Big data and ethics by external expert (Uppsala University) | Big data and ethics; "Weapons of Math Destruction" |
Class 8 | Oral presentation and Wrap-up discussion | Oral presentation and Wrap-up discussion |
A compendium of articles and book chapters may be included as hand-outs
A compendium of articles and book chapters may be included as hand-outs
The evaluation is based on the followings:
• Regular class attendance and active participation: 50%
• Essay work (final paper) with oral presentation: 50% (essay 30% + oral presentation 20%)
Completing "Science, technology and innovation policy analysis I" is preferred, but not compulsory.