chemistry and war
Instructor: Janet Asper
Department: Chemistry
Course Number: FSEM 100F2
CRN: 12519
Course Description:
This seminar course explores the role chemical discoveries have played in conflict and war, and the role that conflict and war have played in driving chemical discoveries. Using basic chemical principles and books written for non-science expert readers, we will explore some of the compounds and chemists that have played a significant role in war. The course will start with “short stories” of select compounds, familiarizing students with a broader approach to the chemicals and history, then focus on two obvious areas of interest, chemical weapons and nuclear weapons.
Course Objectives:
- Develop and encourage cross- and inter-disciplinary thinking between the natural sciences and humanities (chemistry and history)
- Obtain layperson level understanding of underlying science of political issues
- Gain historical knowledge necessary to place issues in historical context
- Critical reading and thinking skills
- Develop skills necessary for intelligent, effective discussion of issues using facts to support opinions.
- Develop writing skills for preparation of clear, effective written discussion of issues.
- Have clear understanding of citation, paraphrasing and plagarism.
- Develop skills for obtaining and evaluating information from books, articles, video, audio and internet sources.
Required Course Materials:
- Le Couteur, P.L.; Burreson, J. Napolean’s Buttons, 17 Molecules That Changed History. 2003, Penguin Group. ISBN 1-58542-331-9. ($15.95)
- Preston, D. Before the Fallout: From Marie Curie to Hiroshima. 2006. Berkley Trade. ISBN 970425207897 ($15.00)
- Tucker, P. War of Nerves: Chemical Warfare from World War I to Al-Queda. 2006. Anchor Books. ISBN 978-1-40000-323304 ($17.95)
Online Readings:
- Eubanks, P.L. et. al. The Fires of Nuclear Fission. In Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society; McGraw Hill. 2009. pp. 283-329.
Grading:
Class participation 20%
Expert Panel Activities 20%
Weekly assignments 20 %
Exams 20%
Final paper 20%
Class Participation:
This class is not a history class, nor is it a science class. There will be few traditional “lectures” with me talking and writing on the board and you scribbling in a notebook. We will spend time discussing and thinking through how the chemical substances, principles and scientists impacted history and how history impacted them. We will develop our body of information together.
Towards this end, everyone must participate in class activities. Participation includes attending class, being prepared for the days’ activities, contributing appropriately to classroom discussion, listening to classroom discussion, paying attention to videos and outside speakers.
Each student will begin the term with 50 class participation points, which have been allotted to you for attendance. Each unexcused absence will deduct 2 points. Students will be awarded 2 points for substantial, informed and appropriate contributions to discussion. Students will have 2 points deducted for inappropriate contributions. This includes violating discussion rules, impolite conduct towards another student, dominating discussion, sleeping during videos or outside speakers etc. At the end of the semester, total points will be divided by possible points (100) and scaled to 20% for the course.
Expert Panel:
There are several excellent books covering the issues of this course, far too many for all of us to read in one semester, but worth discussing. Each of you will get to chose one of the four books below and form an “expert panel” on that book, that will engage the class and guide classroom discussion.
Ammonia and Chemical Warfare
- Hager, T. The Alchemy of Air: A Jewish Genius, a Doomed Tycoon and the Scientific Discover That Fed the World but Fueled the Rise of Hitler. 2008. ISBN 0307351785 (24.95)
- Charles, D. MasterMind: The Rise and Fall of Fritz Haber, the Nobel Laurete Who Launched the Age of Chemical Warfare. 2005. Ecco. ISBN 060562772 (24.95)
Manhattan Project
- Zollner, T. Uranium: War, Energy and the Rock that Shaped the World. 2009. Viking Adult. ISBN 0670020648 (26.95)
- Bernstein, J. Plutonium: A History of the World’s Most Dangerous Element. 2009. Cornell University Press. ISBN 0801475171 ($17.95)
Assignments:
Weekly assignments in this class will vary, but will usually be written summaries or reactions to the readings, videos, speakers and discussions that occurred during class. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Late work will be penalized 20% per day.
Exams:
Exams will be “traditional” exams covering the chemical principles, historical facts and interconnections that we’ve discovered during the course.
Final Paper:
In lieu of a final exam, you will prepare a final paper in the form of a course proposal for a week-long FSEM course. Your course proposal will be for either another week of Chemistry and War, covering any topics that we have missed and connecting those topics to the rest of the course, OR may be for a FSEM course that you think will be interesting to teach. You will turn in a preliminary submission of your paper on _______, for peer and instructor review, and a final draft of your paper at your final exam.