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: the Manhattan Project, atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Cuban missile crisis, nuclear arms race during the Cold War, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation, North Korean and Iranian nuclear crises, missile defence, arms control & nuclear non-proliferation, and nuclear energy. Some policy issues, such as nuclear arms control and disarmament, nuclear deterrence, nuclear diplomacy and nuclear energy, are also included.
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 weapons;
• Demonstrate capabilities of discussing the complexity of specific nuclear policy issues through critical thinking and essay work.
science & technology (S&T), research & development (R&D), decision-making, policy analysis, defense & security, nuclear non-proliferation, arms control & disarmament
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
This course consists of obligatory lectures and seminars. Each student is required to read the assigned readings and come prepared to discuss them. Active participation, oral presentation and essay work are required to pass the course. Basic knowledge of international politics is preferable for effective participation. The evaluation is based on the followings:
• Regular class attendance and active participation: 30%
• Essay work (final paper) with oral presentation: 70% (essay 50% + oral presentation 20%)
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction | Introduction |
Class 2 | The Manhattan Project: Developing the Atomic bomb | The Manhattan Project: Developing the Atomic bomb |
Class 3 | Decision-making of the use of the Atomic bomb re-examined | Decision-making of the use of the Atomic bomb re-examined |
Class 4 | The Cold War nuclear arms race, nuclear deterrence doctrine and strategy | The Cold War nuclear arms race, nuclear deterrence doctrine and strategy |
Class 5 | Nuclear non-proliferation, arms control & disarmament | Nuclear non-proliferation, arms control & disarmament |
Class 6 | The Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) and missile defence | The Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) and missile defence |
Class 7 | Nuclear non-proliferation under the NPT regime | Nuclear non-proliferation under the NPT regime |
Class 8 | Summary and discussion | Summary and discussion |
A compendium of articles and book chapters may be distributed 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: 30%
• Essay work (final paper) with oral presentation: 70% (essay 50% + oral presentation 20%)
To complete with "Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Analysis II" is preferable.