Studying at York
Ethics & International Politics - POL00052H
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
Module aims
This module will introduce students to some of the most important debates about how moral norms apply to both peacetime international politics and war. The focus will be on making connections between important philosophical approaches to international ethics and global justice and the current practice of states, major non-state and inter-state actors, and even individuals in the international realm. In other words, the module will help you formulate moral arguments for (or against) a range of policies relating to international politics.
In the first part of the module, we will get to grips with some of the key approaches to international ethics and their application to some of the most important issues facing the global community today, poverty and climate change. Subsequently, we will shift our focus to the interactions between states, and consider the ethical dimensions of different ways in which interstate conflicts can be approached – moving from the peaceful, such as sanctions and boycotts, to war and international terrorism.
Module learning outcomes
- An understanding of how to apply moral theories and moral reasoning strategies to current events in international politics. An ability to analyse and assess different tactics and policies from an ethical perspective.
- A broad perspective on some of the most active debates in research on ethics in international politics
- Greater insight into important security issues, from both a practical and a philosophical perspective.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.
Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.
Indicative reading
Beitz, Charles R. 2011. The Idea of Human Rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Caney, Simon. 2005. Justice Beyond Borders: A Global Political Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Fabre, Cecile. 2007. Justice in a Changing World. Cambridge: Polity.
Finlay, Christopher. 2017. Terrorism and the Right to Resist. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Gross, Michael L. 2015. The Ethics of Insurgency. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Miller, David. 1995. On Nationality. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Rawls, John. 1999. The Law of Peoples. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Singer, Peter. 2009. The Life You Can Save. New York: Random House.
Strawser, B.J. (Ed.) 2013. Killing by Remote Control. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Walzer, Michael. 1977. Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations. New York: Basic Books.
Young, Iris Marion. 2011. Responsibility for Justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.