Wednesday 10-12 Noon
January 14 through February 18, 2004
D.O.C. House
As the third in a sequence of three courses focused on a study of the development of the atomic bomb, this course will complete the trilogy of the forces, political and personal, that contributed to this achievement, i.e., I. The ALSOS MISSION (why Germany didn't build the bomb); II. THE MANHATTAN PROJECT (how and why the USA did build the bomb) and III. this course, ESPIONAGE (how the Russians built the bomb far earlier than the US government and scientists predicted).
This six-week course will explore the lives and contributions of individuals to the Soviet efforts to become a nuclear power. What motivated these people to commit treason, what was their fate, and how did their actions affect the course of history? Among the players in the espionage drama to be discussed are: The Cambridge Spies (Maclean, Burgess, Philby and May), the Canadian Spy Ring and the “Atomic Spies” (Klaus Fuchs, The Rosenbergs, David Glass, Harry Gold), and more recently, Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames.
Contributions from class members will be encouraged and discussions will be expected. Reading materials will be distributed. Prior course participation is not required.
Class is limited to 20 members.
Frances V. McCann is Professor of Physiology, Emerita at DMS. She enjoys delving into history's mysteries.
