An intriguing new addition to the program catalog, Chemistry of the Cold War, was added to the program catalog this year. This unique class, formally titled We Didn't Start the Fire: Science in the Short 20th Century, is taught by Science Department Head Will Tucker. It seeks to blend the disciplines of chemistry and history, offering a rare but exciting interdisciplinary course to the program catalog.
Inspired by the iconic Billy Joel song “We Didn't Start the Fire,” Tucker curated a curriculum exploring the myriad of cultural, political, and scientific milestones referenced in the song’s lyrics. As Tucker explained, "The song has so many important points in the Cold War: cultural, political, what have you. But then there are also chemistry points in there." The course covers four major units: Cold War politics and nuclear weapons, cultural politics and plastics, the Green Revolution, and decolonization. Each unit weaves together historical context with chemical principles. While the course leans toward the format of a traditional history class, it still incorporates problem sets focused on chemistry along with reflective writing on historical aspects.
The course will culminate in a distinctive final project, inspired by the National Public Radio’s (NPR) podcast Throughline. Students are provided the opportunity to choose any contemporary chemistry topic and trace its historical roots back to the Cold War era, with the flexibility to present their findings either through a traditional paper or a podcast format. This approach not only reinforces the material covered throughout the course, but encourages students to study the connection between the past and present on their own.
The course, though novel, has not been without its challenges. Planning began in early June, and while Tucker expressed a desire for more time to prepare, he acknowledged the inevitability of experimentation in teaching a new class. He states, “I think there’s some degree of experimentation going on in this, and I would have always wanted more time, even if I had started a year ago planning.” Despite these concerns, students have shown tremendous enthusiasm, anticipation, excitement—amidst, admittedly, a touch of anxiety from Tucker himself—for this class.
Looking ahead, the future of the course remains optimistic yet uncertain. While Tucker ideally wishes to teach the course again, the decision hinges on broader scheduling constraints and departmental needs. He comments, “It's weird to do a class once because you wouldn't [usually] have this work to make it and then to have it just go away.”
Overall, Chemistry of the Cold War is a testament to the innovative spirit of teachers willing to experiment with new teaching methodologies. This course will help students understand the intricate interplay between science and history, enriching their educational experience in unexpected ways.