Meets the following requirements: HY   

This course will take an in depth look at the Manhattan Project, the United States' secret operation that resulted in the world's first atomic bomb.  In the first two-thirds of this course, we'll look at the advances in physics and chemistry that made an atomic bomb possible, and the events of World War II that made a weapon of mass destruction desirable to many.  In so doing, we will closely examine the historical and cultural context in which the bomb was built.  We'll conclude the course by examining some of the ways in which the Manhattan project has changed how science is viewed both by scientists and non-scientists.  Some of the questions we'll address may include: What responsibilities do scientists have when developing technologies that can be harnessed for harmful purposes?  How is science funded in the United States and how was this influenced by the Manhattan Project?  What role should government play in encouraging or discouraging the development of technologies?  How can science be made more democratic?  This course will be taught in a seminar style; there will be a significant amount of reading and classes will be largely discussion-based.  Evaluations will be based on class participation, a journal, and a final project. 

Level:  Intermediate.  *HY*  Lab Fee $10