This course is a study of how nuclear technologies have developed and become pervasive in society and how these technologies influence defense, energy, and environmental policies as well as politics. The topics include nuclear myths and their role in U.S. popular culture; an abridged history of nuclear technology development; ethical considerations of nuclear weapons and strategy; a survey of nuclear technologies employed in the medical, industrial, energy, and other fields; operation of the nuclear fuel cycle; and the benefits and risks associated with nuclear technologies.