DAFF 25A54 - Nuclear Technopolitics

This seminar explores the mutually interacting dynamics between the technical and political dimensions of nuclear technology — particularly nuclear weapons, nuclear power, and the nuclear fuel cycle — and how they have evolved within various national and international historical frameworks. Of particular interest is the question of how much the technical possibilities constrain political choices, and how political choices enable or disable various technical possibilities, and the degree to which the technical and political worlds are “co-produced” simultaneously. This course draws upon and features perspectives from the history of nuclear weapons, international relations, and science and technology studies (STS). Each session with feature a mixture of discussion and lecture.

None

1 research paper (35%) (10-15 pages)

3 short papers (10% each = 30% total) (3 pages each) engaging with specific questions

Participation in class discussions during and outside of class, ability to ask questions, and class citizenship (10%)