The Nuclear Age in World Politics
GOVT 386
Fall 2012
| Section:
01
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| Certificates: International Relations |
This course examines the role of nuclear weapons in world politics. Why do states acquire nuclear weapons? What are they good for? Do nuclear weapons make weak states more secure by leveling the playing field or less secure by making them targets for annihilation? Are nuclear weapons a force for stability or instability? Are missile defenses defensive or offensive? Are these weapons still relevant or is it time to re-think their usefulness? Topics include rational and extended deterrence, strategic doctrine, nuclear superiority, the stability-instability paradox, nuclear proliferation, rogue states, nuclear terrorism, missile defense, and cold war crises. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS GOVT |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (GOVT)(GOVT-Intl.) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Robert Jervis, THE MEANING OF THE NUCLEAR REVOLUTION
Fred Kaplan, THE WIZARDS OF ARMAGEDDON
Thomas Schelling, ARMS AND INFLUENCE
Kenneth Waltz & Scott Sagan, THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Marc Trachtenberg, HISTORY AND STRATEGY
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Examinations and Assignments:
No exams
Four short papers and one research paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Readings are assigned for the first class. |
| Instructor(s): Sheetz,Mark S. Times: ..T.... 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC413; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 12 | | SR major: 9 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 4 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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