The story of how radium was used in everyday products at the beginning of the twentieth century has continued to fascinate and astound. It was Marie Curie who said 'nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.' However, it was Pierre Curie who said 'radium could be very dangerous in criminal hands.' In this ten week class, we will examine the lives of the young women who worked in the factory, the three different American companies who were in charge and responsible, and how the public responded. This will also be a look into public views of science, immigration, and the working class during the early 1900's. 

Each week, students will be reading, on their own, "The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women, Kate Moore", the Young Readers Edition. 

Our weekly breakdown will include, but is not limited to: (Each week will include a powerpoint lecture of topics discussed in the book and more.)

1. What is radium and when was it discovered? How was it used in everyday products? A brief history of the Curies and their work with radium. 
2. Discussion -Chapters 1 -7
3. Discussion Chapters 8-12
4. DiscussionChapters 13 - 16
5. Discussion Chapters 17 - 23
6. Discussion Chapters 24 - 28
7. Discussion Chapters 29 - 35
8. Discussion Chapters 36 - 44
9. Discussion Chapters 45 - 47
10. Epilogue and Postscript; Discussion of 2020 Movie "Radium Girls" 

For information on my other courses, please check out my course catalog: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10WtnUIRwVRw7Awo6FskitgUKeNUjuAvf/view