This course offers students an overview of the issues relating to atomic, biological, and chemical weapons, commonly referred to as weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Since the end of the Cold War, the proliferation of these kinds of weapons has become one of America’s primary security concerns; thus an understanding of the weapons and their capabilities is an essential component of understanding national security more broadly.

This class will approach WMD from three angles. First, it will take a historical perspective, exploring the development and use of these weapons in past conflicts. Second, it will examine the scientific foundation of the most significant WMD threats. While not a science class, students must certainly have a basic understanding of the way that these kinds of weapons function in order to assess the threat that they represent. No prior science background on the part of students is required.

Prerequisites: None.