Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - HIST 390 D100

Studies in History I (4)

The Bomb: A Cultural History

Class Number: 3902

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units, including six units of lower division history.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Special topics.

COURSE DETAILS:

Our subject/themes

The development and use of the world’s first atomic weapons during the Second World War marked a major turning point in human history. Since 1945, the threat of nuclear war/destruction has played a major role in global politics across national, international, and imperial spaces. In this course, we will explore the history of “the bomb,” from research and resource extraction to “experimental” and wartime detonations of multiple nuclear weapons and their devasting, toxic aftermaths. Becoming more familiar with the scientific, military, and geopolitical aspects of nuclear weapons and warfare during the post-1945 period, we will focus on representations of and responses to “the bomb” by examining a range of cultural historical sources and artifacts, including graphic history, memoir, literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, photography, film, music, digital media, and more.

Skills we’ll be working on in this course

  • critical reading: understanding and responding to scholarly argument and interpretation
  • audiovisual/media/digital literacy: exploring and working with a range of scholarly sources and tools across different media
  • research: formulating compelling research questions; finding primary and secondary sources
  • writing: developing skills in different genres while working in stages including free writing, co-writing, drafts, peer response, and revision
  • oral communication +: engaging in group discussion and brief presentations

Grading

  • Course preparation & participation 20%
  • Course Log & Talking Points 20%
  • Write Now assignments (completed in class) 60%

NOTES:

*Assignments and grading may change prior to the term.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Jonathan Fetter-Vorm’s Trinity (2012) has been ordered through the SFU Bookstore. All other required course materials (books, articles, music, etc.) will be accessible in electronic form via the SFU Library or the Canvas course site.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.