Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
This module addresses the ethics of war in both contemporary and historical contexts. It questions whether we can ever legitimately go to war and, if so, under what circumstances it may be permissible. The module begins by looking at and critiquing ethical frameworks such as Just War Theory, Deontological and Consequentialist Ethics, Virtue Ethics, and Pacifism. All of these are reinforced with several empirical foci, such as Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism, Religious Wars, International Military Intervention, Nuclear War, Drone Warfare and Cyberwarfare. By the end of the module, students will have strong theoretical and empirical knowledge on war and be able to assess whether war is, or can ever be, ethical.
The module will draw upon a number of sources and methods to establish when war (if ever) is morally justified, and when particular acts of international violence are justified. It will cover the following topics and questions:
Just War Theory
- When is war permissible?
- How should we conduct ourselves within war?
- What are our responsibilities post-war?
Ethical Approaches to War
- Does the principle and intentions of a war matter as much as consequences?
- Do the ‘virtues’ of combatants, or those making decisions about war, matter?
- Is war inherently wrong? Is pacifism more legitimate?
- Is there any way to actually assess the ethics of war?
Military Intervention
- Where has military intervention taken place? What justifications were offered?
- Is military intervention ever justified? Or is it just imperialism?
- Should we encourage overthrowing autocratic regimes through military means?
- Is Military intervention in anticipation of future threats legitimate?
Religion and War
- How do different religions justify or condemn war?
- Does religion make an ethical predisposition in favour or war more likely?
- Can religious ethics help us assess wars today?
Terrorism
- What is terrorism? Why is it so hard to define?
- Can terrorism ever be justified? Or is it inherently wrong?
- How far should counter-terrorism go?
The Future of War: Drone Strikes, Targeted Killing, and Cyberwarfare
- Do UAVs change our fundamental assessments of war?
- Is it justifiable to just extra-judicial strikes to eliminate threats?
- Is Cyberwarfare a more desirable form of war?
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 164:00 | 164:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Lectures will convey key themes and issues noted in learning outcomes, and seminars will provide opportunity to discuss these in greater depth.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 45 | Essay style examination |
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 45 | 2,000 word essay |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 10 | Seminar participation |
The aim of the essay is for students to demonstrate their ability to present a set of clear and rigorous arguments in support of a central claim. Students will be given the option of giving an oral presentation to the class, outlying their plans for the essay. This presentation will include time for questions and comments from fellow students, helping presenters critically examine their own work and respond to objections. The aim of the exam is to assess students’ abilities to engage with literature outside the scope of their 2,000-word essay.