PhysicsGlobal Studies 280 Introduction to the Course

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Physics/Global Studies 280Introduction to the
Course

• Course Staff, Structure, and Content

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Introduction of Physics 280 Staff

• Frederick K. Lamb, InstructorProfessor of
  Physics and Astronomy
• Martin Kalinowski, Senior StaffProfessor of
  Nuclear, Plasma, Radiological Engineering
• Jurgen Scheffran, Senior StaffResearch
  Scientist, ACDIS Program
• Christina Furtado, Lead TAPolitical Science
• Duncan Christie, TAPhysics
• Travis Dirks, TA Physics
• David Howell, TAPhysics
• Joseph R. Laracy, TA Computer Engineering
• Radhika Rangaraja, TA Computer Engineering

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Frederick Lamb  1

• Faculty member at the University of Illinois
  since 1970
• Fortner Endowed Chair in Theoretical
  Astrophysics, Director of the Center for
  Theoretical Astrophysics
• Research in high-energy and relativistic
  astrophysics
• Black holes and strong-field gravity
• Neutron stars, pulsars, and ultradense matter
• X-ray and gamma-ray stars
• Played a leadership role in the conception,
  development, launch, and successful operation of
  NASAs current Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer
  satellite mission
• Chair of NASAs Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer
  satellite mission planning group

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Frederick Lamb  2

• Faculty member in the Illinois Program in Arms
  Control, Disarmament, and International Security
• Consultant to the Department of Energy,
  Department of Defense, Arms Control and
  Disarmament Agency, and the U.S. Congress
  (intelligence and foreign relations)
• Consultant to the Institute for Defense Analyses
  on arms control, ballistic missile flight,
  nuclear weapon tests, space weapons, U.S.
  space-launch capabilities, and space and
  aerospace vehicles, computerized battle
  simulations
• Chief expert consultant to the Department of
  Defense on verification of limits on underground
  nuclear testing
• Member, technical support committee for the U.S.
  delegation to the 198990 U.S.Soviet
  negotiations on nuclear testing
• Co-chair, American Physical Society (APS) Study
  of Boost-Phase Ballistic Missile Defense,
  released July 2003, published 2004

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Introduction of Other Physics 280 Staff

• Martin Kalinowski, Senior StaffProfessor of
  Nuclear, Plasma, Radiological Engineering
• Jurgen Scheffran, Senior StaffResearch
  Scientist, ACDIS Program
• Christina Furtado, Lead TAPolitical Science
• Duncan Christie, TAPhysics
• Travis Dirks, TA Physics
• David Howell, TAPhysics
• Joseph R. Laracy, TA Computer Engineering
• Radhika Rangaraja, TA Computer Engineering

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Introduction of Some Physics 280 Students

• Name?
• Year in school?
• Major?
• Any background in the subject?
• Why are you taking the course?
• What do you hope for from the course?

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History of Physics 280

• First offered in Spring 1982
• Course development motivated by concern about the
  growing threat of nuclear weapons and nuclear war
• Taught by a team of 13 faculty volunteers from
  the Physics, Astronomy, and (then) Nuclear
  Engineering departments
• Second offering in Spring 1983
• Co-taught by Frederick Lamb and Jeremiah Sullivan
• Submitted and approved as a regular course
• Has been taught every spring semester since
• Has served as model for courses elsewhere
• Most courses elsewhere have died off
• Physics 280 is arguably the longest running
  course of its kind

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Course Content

• Introductory lecture
• Nuclear weapon physics and designs
• Nuclear explosionseffects of a single explosion,
  of a nuclear war, comparison to effects of
  biological, chemical, and radiological weapons
• Nuclear weapon delivery systems
• Nuclear weapon programs and arsenals
• Nuclear arms controltreaties and other
  approaches to controlling nuclear weapons,
  erification technology
• Missile defensespast, present, and future
• Conclusions and future directions

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Structure of the Course  1

• Class meetings
• Lectures (slides posted on Physics 280 website
  after each lecture)
• Videos, demos, and discussions of readings and
  current events
• Writing Labs
• Explanation of writing assignments
• Instruction and guidance on how to write for the
  course
• Help in revising first versions of writings

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Structure of the Course  2

• Required Books
• The Little, Brown Essential Handbook for Writers,
  by Jane E. Aaron
• Nuclear Terrorism, by Graham Allison
• The Gravest Danger, by Sidney D. Drell and James
  E. Goodby
• Reading and Writing Assignments and Guidance
• All will be posted on the course website
• You should check the course website daily
  Optional readings and other materials
• You are encouraged to read New York Times (NYT)
  and other sources of national and international
  news about topics related to Physics 280
• You are also encouraged to bring interesting
  articles, TV programs, and movies to the
  attention of the Instructors

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Structure of the Course  3

• Physics 280 is an Advanced Composition Course
• Previous credit for a Composition course is an
  absolute prerequisite
• Even if you already have have Advance Comp
  credit, you must do all the writing assignments
• Four Required Essays 40 of total course grade
• 1, 2, 3, and 3 pages in length, respectively
• Each must be revised once
• Both versions count equally
• High penalty for late submissions
• Up to two Extra Credit Essays (1.5 pages)
  permitted
• Up to two Extra Credit Essays (1.5 pages)
  permitted
• Scores add to total essay score

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Structure of the Course  4

• Research Paper (30)
• On a topic chosen in consultation with the
  instructor
• Your proposal must be approved on advance by the
  instructor
• Your paper must address both technical and policy
  aspects of some issue (balance need not be a
  5050)
• Grades on first and second versions count equally
• An early start is imperative!
• In-Class Mid-Term Exam (10)
• Closed book
• Tests factual knowledge and understanding
• Writing quality not graded
• Scheduled Final Exam (20)
• Closed book
• Tests factual knowledge and understanding
• Writing quality of answers not graded
• Will emphasize material presented after midterm
  exam

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History of Nuclear Weapons

• PBS Video Race for the Superbomb