Studying at York
Morality and Modern Warfare - POL00052H
Module summary
This module looks at ethical issues relating to and deriving from modern warfare and armed conflict. It looks at topics including (counter) insurgency, new technologies, and much more and will benefit those interested in ethics, international relations, armed conflict and security studies.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
Can there be just wars? Should we be worried about the resurgence of mercenaries? Do we need to be afraid of killer robots? This module will introduce students to some of the most important debates about how moral norms apply in war, conflict, and contemporary international relations more generally. We will critically analyse key issues in the contemporary ethics of warfare, and consider the current practice of states, major non-state and inter-governmental actors, and even individuals in the context of war and (armed) conflict.
Some of the topics that will be covered include: just causes for war, ethical issues relating to new actors in war (such as mercenaries), the ethics of (counter)insurgency, the ethics of alternatives to war, and ethical issues relating to new military technologies.
Module learning outcomes
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Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of international politics and its ethical, legal and international dimensions through engaging with specialist areas of study. [MLO 1]
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Apply independently theories, concepts and methods to aspects of politics and/or international relations, using critical reasoning, textual analysis, and philosophical methods to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. [MLO 2]
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Research independently by: conceiving research questions; explaining the use of theories and concepts; selecting and applying appropriate tools to gather and interpret data; and justifying conclusions.[MLO 3]
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Work independently to address problems in politics and/or international relations, by working towards solutions through the creative application of specialist theoretical and practical perspectives, and analysis of empirical data. [MLO 4]
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Communicate arguments effectively and fluently, translating advanced ideas from specialist areas of study through appropriate media. [MLO 5]
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Apply independently perspectives from Politics and International Relations in dealing with local, national and global challenges. [MLO 7]
Module content
Likely structure to include:
1 Intro
2 Just causes for war
3 Terrorism and total war
4 New military agents and agencies
5 Pacifism
6 Sanctions
7 Insurgency and counterinsurgency
8 Animals, the environment, and war
9 Drones and remote warfare
10 Killer robots and the future of war
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
Finlay, Christopher. 2017. Terrorism and the Right to Resist. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Frowe, Helen. 2022. The Ethics of War and Peace, 3rd ed. Abingdon: Routledge.
Gross, Michael L. 2015. The Ethics of Insurgency. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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.