Political Research Seminar (395-0-25)

Topic

From Oppenheimer to the Present: Atomic Diplomacy

Instructors

Jeffrey Rice
847/491-8916
1908 Sheridan

Meeting Info

Scott Hall 201 Ripton Room: Tues 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

We will look at nuclear diplomacy and bargaining since the end of World War 2. Besides traditional diplomacy, nations have developed models for bargaining, war games, formal evaluations and an entire industry for the training of such experts. We will spend some time on the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the phenomenon of nuclear deterrence which ensued.

Registration Requirements

Junior and Seniors

Learning Objectives

How nuclear deterrence got its start and how to think about bargaining when the failure is so unimaginable.
How to read some primary sources by pioneers in this project.

Teaching Method

Seminar

Evaluation Method

Weekly readings and posting. 25%
Final Paper (15-20 pages) 75%

Class Materials (Required)

Fred Kaplan: "The Wizards of Armageddon" Stanford U. P. 978-0804718844
V. Narang & S. Sagan, "The Fragile Balance of Terror" Cornel UP 9781501767166
Serhii Plokhy: Nuclear Folly Norton. 978-1324035985

Class Notes

We will also read essays by and about: Henry Kissinger, Albert Wolhsetter, Daniel Ellsberg, and others.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression