This course will examine a cinematic and literary sub-genre unique to the twentieth century: nuclear annihilation. From the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, through the Cold War and nuclear proliferation, the theme of the atomic/hydrogen bomb as the end of the planet has been covered by both filmmakers and novelists.
We will be seeing several films ( Dr. Strangelove, Fail-Safe, WarGames, Testament ) and others (e.g. Them! ), reading articles and books, and examining the way authors and filmmakers have incorporated "the bomb" into their works.
Topics to be discussed the role of the military; nuclear mutation; accidental nuclear war; the aftermath of nuclear war, possible annihilation.
Please join us.