Science and Fascism

3 Credits.

This course takes a historical approach to the relationship between modern science and fascism. During the 20th century, fascist movements often exploited scientific traditions for economic, military, and rhetorical power. At the same time, scientists relied on fascist regimes to confer legitimacy on their research programs. In this seminar-style course, students will examine these difficult linkages through several case studies on science under fascism, which are drawn from Italy, Germany, Japan, Spain, Portugal, and their empires. The course will address several overarching questions. Is it possible to define fascist science? How have research programs supported fascist regimes, and vice versa? How have scientists reckoned with, remembered, and forgotten these difficult histories?