131-154 The Modern World 1: The Nuclear Shadow

Formerly available as 131-007. Students who have completed 131-007 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. It is recommended that this subject be taken in conjunction with 131-155 The Modern World 2: People Power

The nuclear bombs that ended the war in the Pacific and the Second World War began a new period in world history. A few very powerful states could now cause mass destruction on a scale that at times seemed to threaten the very existence of life on earth. The Cold War that encompassed this standoff began with only one country - the USA - armed with nuclear weapons, but ownership proliferated to several other states. The threatened war never came, but the Cold War divided the world and threw a long shadow over international relations, the independence movements in Africa and Asia, and political movements in Europe and the Americas. It made huge demands for technological development (notably the space race), and the economic costs were enormous. It also influenced social developments and aspects of personal life. This subject examines the way the world changed in the shadow of the bomb from 1945 to the late 1970s.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

An essay outline of 500 words due two weeks before the research essay 10%; a research essay of 2000 words 40% (due mid-semester); and a 2-hour written examination 50% (in the examination period)

A subject reader will be available

• D Reynolds, One World Divisible: A Global History Since 1945. W W Norton 2001.