NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS POLICY AND SECURITY
Understanding The Spread of State WMD Programs
BIOD 706/GOVT739/PUAD738
Department of Public and International Affairs
George Mason University
Time: Wednesday, 4:30 -7:10pm
Room: University Hall 1203
Instructor contact information:
Professor Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley
Office: Robinson A 218
Phone: (703) 993-1109
E-mail: sbenouag@gmu.edu
Office hours: Mondays, 4pm to 5pm, by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course analyzes the causes, methods, and consequences of the spread of nuclear, biological, and chemical
weapons and the missiles that could deliver them. It focuses in particular on the factors that influence state restraint
and reversal of weapons programs. Part I will review the main theories explaining WMD acquisition, restraint, and
reversal, and discuss whether these theories constitute satisfying explanations. Students will be encouraged to
analyze critically the policies and strategies born from these theories during class discussions and policy simulations
exploring various case studies (e.g., Iran, Iraq, Libya, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Japan, Israel, Sweden, the Soviet
Union, the United States, North Korea, and others). Part II will explore the assumptions made in current theories
about weapons technology and the assumption of the inevitability of proliferation. By highlighting the mistakes
commonly made in evaluating a country’s ability to develop complex weapons systems, the class will discuss in Part
III the overlooked variables of the proliferation equation and explore alternative ways to prevent or slow progress, or
even bring about the decline of state programs.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
(1) Participation: 40% of final grade
- Students are required to participate regularly in class discussions while demonstrating that they have completed
required readings in advance of each session. (20% of final grade)
- Be present and participate in policy simulations...