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Tribune News Network
Doha
WHAT do the social sciences and humanities have to do with nuclear physics? According to Dr Kai-Henrik Barth, the professor teaching Georgetown University in Qatar’s first required natural science course this semester, the answer is “everything.” His course, Nuclear Know-How for Presidents, gives students majoring in economics, history, culture and politics, an introduction to the science behind nuclear weapons and an understanding of why that knowledge matters for policy makers, not just for scientists.“From the Iran Deal and North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme, to Fukushima and Chernobyl, it’s clear that nuclear technologies continue to shape international politics. Now more than ever, global leaders need to be able to understand scientific arguments in order to make informed decisions on issues that will have a tremendous impact on our world”, explains Dr Barth, who studied nuclear physics in his homeland of Germany, before receiving his Ph.D. in the History of Science and Technology from the University of Minnesota.
“I am really pleased that through this course, students will gain a broad understanding of nuclear science and technology, in both military and civilian applications, so they are better prepared to engage in discussions and debates on the complex issues surrounding nuclear weapons and nuclear energy”, said Dr Barth, who is also the senior assistant dean for Research Support at GU-Q.
Ayesha Iqbal, a second-year student majoring in International Politics, had considered a career in physics before a love of politics brought her to GU-Q. With required readings including books by nuclear physicists, the curriculum is rigorous enough to challenge, without being overly technical. “I didn’t expect to go this deeply into technical concepts of nuclear physics, so I’m really enjoying it.”
This course isn’t GU-Q’s only foray into the issue of nuclear technology. Dr Barth also spearheads the university’s partnership with the Qatar Ministry of Defence’s National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW), a joint initiative that raises student awareness about the dangers of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
Doha
WHAT do the social sciences and humanities have to do with nuclear physics? According to Dr Kai-Henrik Barth, the professor teaching Georgetown University in Qatar’s first required natural science course this semester, the answer is “everything.” His course, Nuclear Know-How for Presidents, gives students majoring in economics, history, culture and politics, an introduction to the science behind nuclear weapons and an understanding of why that knowledge matters for policy makers, not just for scientists.“From the Iran Deal and North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme, to Fukushima and Chernobyl, it’s clear that nuclear technologies continue to shape international politics. Now more than ever, global leaders need to be able to understand scientific arguments in order to make informed decisions on issues that will have a tremendous impact on our world”, explains Dr Barth, who studied nuclear physics in his homeland of Germany, before receiving his Ph.D. in the History of Science and Technology from the University of Minnesota.
“I am really pleased that through this course, students will gain a broad understanding of nuclear science and technology, in both military and civilian applications, so they are better prepared to engage in discussions and debates on the complex issues surrounding nuclear weapons and nuclear energy”, said Dr Barth, who is also the senior assistant dean for Research Support at GU-Q.
Ayesha Iqbal, a second-year student majoring in International Politics, had considered a career in physics before a love of politics brought her to GU-Q. With required readings including books by nuclear physicists, the curriculum is rigorous enough to challenge, without being overly technical. “I didn’t expect to go this deeply into technical concepts of nuclear physics, so I’m really enjoying it.”
This course isn’t GU-Q’s only foray into the issue of nuclear technology. Dr Barth also spearheads the university’s partnership with the Qatar Ministry of Defence’s National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW), a joint initiative that raises student awareness about the dangers of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
