Postgraduate Course: War and Morality (PLIT11011)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Social and Political Science |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Politics |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None |
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| Course description |
The course addresses the following kinds of critical question. Under what conditions, if any, is a country morally entitled to go to war? Only to defend itself against aggression by others, or to further some of the legitimate goals of a nationally self-determining country? Is humanitarian intervention merely permissible or, in some cases, mandatory as well?
TOPICS COVERED
War and collective self-defense
Preventive war
Humanitarian intervention
War and legitimate authority
The principle of non-combatant immunity
Torture
Terrorism
War crime tribunals
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students will have read major texts and articles in just war theory; they will have learnt to use analytical tools and concepts which are important not merely to this particular area of study, but to moral and political philosophy in general (such as right doctrines, the doctrine of double effect, the doctrine of acts and omissions, etc.). They will have learnt to use historical, factual examples in support of philosophical, normative claims.
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Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites |
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| Prohibited Combinations |
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Other requirements |
None
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| Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Seminar | | 1-11 | | | 10:00 - 12:00 | | |
| First Class |
Week 1, Wednesday, 09:00 - 10:50, Zone: Central. seminar room 5 Crystal Macmillan Building |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| By the end of the course, students will have read major texts and articles in just war theory; they will have learnt to use analytical tools and concepts which are important not merely to this particular area of study, but to moral and political philosophy in general (such as right doctrines, the doctrine of double effect, the doctrine of acts and omissions, etc.). They will have learnt to use historical, factual examples in support of philosophical, normative claims. |
Assessment Information
| One essay of 5,000 words (+/- 10%), including footnotes and excluding bibliography. There will be no penalty for going over the limit. However, essays will be marked only on the first 5,500 words. |
| Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
| Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Andrea Birdsall
Tel: 651 1743
Email: a.birdsall@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: gillian.macdonald@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 6:35 am
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