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: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Maxime Lepoutre
Email: m.c.lepoutre@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is about the ethical dimension of international relations in peace and war. While this module focuses on issues within moral thought and theory, it does so with an eye to real world conflicts. Among the issues discussed are war crimes and moral responsibility, strategic bombing, revolutionary war, terrorism, and peacemaking.

Aims:

This module aims to stimulate reflection on the role played by licit collective violence in shaping and to some extent sustaining political order.  It seeks to grasp the logic of just war theory, the relationship between that theory and the developing nature of European states, and the difficulties encountered in adjusting the practice of ‘war’ to the needs of a cross-cultural state system.  In doing so, it will combine historical accounts of war as a cultural institution with philosophical analysis.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is intended that the student will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic forms of moral reasoning and of diverse ethical conceptions of war and international relations;

• analyse and evaluate moral problems arising from the conduct of international relations in peace and war, including the application of relevant moral principles and concepts and the use of empirical material as exemplification;

• appreciate the ways in which fact and value interact in the development of moral argument and in the formation of moral judgement.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to develop critical and reflective thinking, effective and independent use of a variety of sources, coherent and rigorous written and oral argumentation, and the ability to work with and learn from others.

Outline content:

The following module content is indicative and may be subject to minor changes:



This module is about the ethical dimension of international relations in peace and war. This module focuses on the ethics of war. It examines the rival images of war exhibited by realism, militarism, pacifism and the just war tradition and explores the modes of justification and criticism and the principles and concepts commonly employed in the moral analysis of war. While this module focu ses on issues within moral thought and theory, it does so with an eye to real world conflicts. Among the issues discussed are war crimes and moral responsibility, strategic bombing, revolutionary war, terrorism, and new technologies, such as drones. 

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. 

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.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	15		2
Guided independent study:	123		50
Total hours by term	148	0	52
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:
One three-hour examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write one 4,000 word essay on a selected topic. Non-submitted essays will be awarded a mark of zero. This will account for 50% of the final module mark.

Visiting students will follow the same assessments but only those enrolled for the summer term will sit the examination. Those visiting students who are here for Autumn term only but wish to gain full credits will also write a 4,000 word essay in place of the examination, to be submitted by the first day of the Spring term. Visiting students who are only studying for half credits will submit one 4,000 word essay in total.

Formative assessment methods:
Every student will give at least one seminar presentation, lasting five to ten minutes. Active participation in seminars is expected by all students.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

University-wide rules apply. 40% is the pass mark.

Reassessment arrangements:

Candidates who fail their final year normally have the right to be re-examined on one further occasion at the next opportunity. These candidates will not normally be eligible for Honours (ie., only a ‘Pass’ classification would be attainable). Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements (coursework and re-examination) even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.





Examination: Re-examination takes place in August/September of the same year.

 

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted on Blackboard within the specified resubmission period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy

Last updated: 6 September 2021