Describe and analyze the socialization process that leads the nuclear scientists to accept and even tolerate Gusterson’s central axiom.

H. Gusterson: Nuclear Rites: A Weapons

Laboratory at the End of the Cold War

( writer needs to have knowledge of this, since I cant upload everything from the book)

Gusterson’s ethnographic study of the nuclear weapons laboratory at

Livermore is unique in Anthropology and the larger field of social science.

He takes the reader “inside” the lab to examine the lives and attitudes of

weapons scientists themselves as well as viewpoints in this controversial

industry. The reader follows the events and policies that led to the

nuclear arms race and what Gusterson calls the “culture of terror”

(p. 197) and that still exists at the beginning of the 21st C. A discourse

on the nature of the science of nuclear weapons and its dehumanization

of human bodies and the humanization of machines (i.e. nuclear bombs)

is also examined.

Gusterson says that “The laboratory is organized ideologically around a central

axiom, accepted by liberal and conservative weapons scientists alike, that nuclear

weapons are weapons so terrible that their only function is to deter wars, not to fight

them, and that it is, therefore, ethical to work on them.” (p. 220) Among the

nations that can now produce nuclear weapons are the following:

America, France, Great Britain, Israel, Russia, North Korea, India and

Pakistan. There is ongoing concern in the international community

about Iran’s nuclear capabilities and the potential for use of weapons vs

power since 2003.

In your essay – 1) Describe and analyze the socialization process that

leads the nuclear scientists to accept and even tolerate Gusterson’s

central axiom. 2) How does this process contribute to the ideology of

nuclear weapons scientists? On pg. 197 Gusterson says “Nuclear

weapons scientists learn not to fear nuclear weapons.” Discuss the

implications of this statement. 3) Summarize Gusterson’s evidence that

led him to recognize the above axiom as an ideological force in the lab

culture. 4) How does this force impact the scientists’ behavior and the

lab environment or culture? 5) Include a brief discussion [1/2 page

maximum] of how you believe this industry affects the sociocultural

ideology (which includes attitudes, worldview and our national ethos) of

21st C American society as seen through the lens of this axiom.

– 2 –

GENERAL GUIDELINES & WRITING TIPS FOR ESSAY

Your essay is submitted in the Assignment Module and should be 5 – 6

pages, double-spaced. A bibliography is needed, only if using more

than the Gusterson text as a reference.

An understanding of the complexity of Gusterson’s presentation and his

arguments is essential. Be clear and concise in your writing. A

minimum of one draft is recommended. If you can, it is helpful to have

someone else read your drafts. Even reading your own essay aloud is

helpful in observing whether your writing flows and makes logical sense.

When you write, assume The Reader has no knowledge of Gusterson’s

book. You must be detailed in your essay as you present your analysis

and support your argument(s).

Although this is not an English course, spelling, grammar, syntax and

punctuation will be taken into account regarding your grade. DO NOT

rely solely on your computer spell-check to catch errors: EXAMPLE: “I

sea the cat.”- sea is not misspelled, but it IS the wrong word!! BE

CAREFUL OF THE FOLLOWING USAGE: their/there/they’re –

you/you’re/your – too/to/two. When writing a formal paper, do not use

first person “I” statements. Use third person such as: the reader; one can

see; it is clearly evident that……, etc.

Be careful of generalizations. Support your answers with facts and

specific details, not vague statements. Factual errors and generalities

make your writing less persuasive. TWO quotes only may be used –

ONE sentence each, and they must be cited. Put the citation at the end

of the quote in ( ), example ……… (Gusterson, p. 25) Quotes are

limited because this is to be your words, not the author’s. If more than

two quotes are used, it will affect your grade.

This is a critical evaluation of your comprehension of Gusterson’s

theories and arguments. Utilize your study questions to create an

outline of your essay. Good writing stays focused on effective

presentation. In the final analysis, I must determine whether your work

exhibits a fundamental understanding of Gusterson’s key concepts and

discussions within such a continuingly controversial and emotionallycharged

industry. Good luck on your writing

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