80 Years of the Atomic Age: Nuclear Stories on Page and Screen

Eighty years ago, in the summer of 1945, the atomic bomb was used for the first time and nuclear technologies have had an enormous social, cultural and psychological impact ever since. This course introduces the literature and screen culture of the atomic age, from 1945 to the present day, surveying some of the main trends and sharing examples for discussion as we explore how writers and filmmakers have reflected on what it means to live in a nuclear world. Often profound, sometimes absurd or even funny, and occasionally starkly confronting in its depictions, nuclear culture – fiction, poetry, public information films, television programmes and other representations – provides a way of thinking about the diverse, often surprising, impacts of becoming a nuclear species.

Topics covered include:

• The dawn of the nuclear age: the Trinity Test, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• Homes and shelters: nuclear families.
• Testing, testing: nuclear tests on screen and page.
• Post-apocalyptic literature: on endings and beginnings.
• Into eternity: deep time and the nuclear age beyond the human.

The course is led by Daniel Cordle, a writer and researcher, specialising in the cultural history of the nuclear age. Information about his books and articles on the subject can be found at danielcordle.com.

Although we will be careful not to dwell at length on depictions of physical injury, please be aware that the course includes material that sometimes represents the physical and psychological effects of nuclear weapons. 

Tutor: Daniel Cordle 

Duration: 1 x 4 hour session

When: Sat 2 August, 1pm-5.30pm (includes 30-min break) 

Price: £20 full / £16 members & concessions / £13 under 25s