PO3WPE-War, Peace and International Ethics

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Alan Cromartie
Email: a.d.t.cromartie@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module examines the ethical dimensions of war, peace, and interstate conflict. While this module focuses on issues within moral thought and theory, it does so with an eye to assessing real-world conflicts. Among the issues discussed are humanitarian intervention, strategic bombing, terrorism, the use of human shields, automated warfare, war crimes tribunals, and peace-making.ÌýÌý

Aims:

This module aims to introduce students to the main ethical theories of war, with a view to evaluating the justifications and tactics employed in real-world wars and peace-making processes.Ìý

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:



• Explain the similarities and differences between just war theory, realism, and pacifism.

• Evaluate competing justifications for war, war-time tactics, and post-war peace-making processes, drawing on just war theory, realism, and pacifism.

• Develop and articulate clear logical arguments in favour of their ethical views.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to develop students’ capacity to examine and think about challenging texts, and to collectively discuss sensitive political issues in a mutually respectful manner.

Outline content:

Topics to be addressed will notably include:

• Pacifism, Realism, and Just War Theory


• Humanitarian war


• Civilian immunity


• Terrorism


• Automated warfare


• War crimes tribunals

This content is indicative and may be subject to minor changes.

Global context:

This module concerns issues of international ethics and also touches on international law; it concerns the interaction between states and between states and non-state bodies.Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

For the seminars, all students are required to do preparatory reading and in which student presentations are followed by group discussion. Two hours revision class.