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Dearborn Philosophy
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Just War Theory
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Schedule from beginning of course to Midterm
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Date |
Topics, Readings,
Assignments |
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W, 3/15 No class Friday March 17 (by popular vote) |
Guerrilla war and
terrorism READING:
Walzer, chapters 11 and 12. |
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M, 3/20 |
Americans and Torture: Two
Contrasting Views READING:
Two contrasting articles
on ethics of torture (Distributed
in class. Also publicly available on the web and on CTools/Resources) |
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W,
3/22 |
Supreme
Emergency: When is it okay to break the rules of war? Churchills bombing of German cities (yes, okay) and Hiroshima (no). War against Al Qaeda? READING: Walzer, chapter 16 |
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F,
3/24 |
Supreme Emergency: When it is permissible to break
rules and violate rights? (finish discussing torture
and Walzer, chapter 16) Assignment: one paragraph due in class. Either why you
agree or disagree with Walzer in his judgments of the morality of the bombing
of German cities and bombing of Hiroshima OR any interesting line of thought
developed from Walzer, chapter 18 |
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M,
3/27 |
Moral responsibility for war crimes: Political
Leaders and Citizens (that means
us!) READING: Walzer, chapter 18 |
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W,
3/29 |
Moral responsibility of ordinary citizens (from Monday) Moral responsibility for war crimes: soldiers and
officers READING: Walzer,
chapter 18-19 |
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M,
4/3 |
Islamic views on just war: comparison/contrast with
just war theory READING: Selections from Johnson
(distributed to class, 3/24) ASSIGNMENT: Explain what you think are the
most important similarities and differences between "just war
theory" as represented by Walzer and Islamic ethics of war as presented
by Johnson. |
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Essays are due April 7 |
Many possible suggestions for topics, and be sure to download the checklist. Complete and sign this form and attach it as the last page of your essay. You may propose a different topic in writing. I will want to know your tentative thesis and sources for and against your position. Of course feel free to discuss a possible topic with me at a more preliminary stage as well. |
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F,
4/7 |
Film and discussion: My Lai. The massacre in the Vietnam War. What moral responsibility can be assigned to soldiers? |
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M,
4/10 |
War and the treatment of
“innocent” civilians Essays returned. Finish discussion of film, My Lai. Islamic views on ethics in war, especially war-time conduct. Focus on Johnson, pp. 101-102 and 115-127. ASSIGNMENT due for those who didn’t turn it in previously. (See 4/3) Focus on conduct in war. |
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Any
significance for war and peace? |
“Gender
inequality in the developing world is the greatest single source of human
rights violations today.” “if
poor nations are to develop, they need to empower women. When a country educates girls, they grow
up to have fewer children and look after them better. They take productive
jobs. And plenty of studies show that as women gain influence over family
budgets, the money is less likely to go for tobacco, soda or alcohol, and
more likely to be invested in small businesses and in children's education.” Nicholas Kristof, New York Times columnist |
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W
4/12 and M,
4/17, W, 4/19 No class on Friday, 4/14 |
Pacifist challenge to just war theory READING: Selections from Cady (distributed
in class, 3/24) ASSIGNMENT (due Monday, 4/17): Does Cady
make a good case for pacifism. Briefly
(about one page) argue yes or no.
Ten points. READING: Walzer Afterword
(against pacifism) |
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Walzer on Israel |
You might find this interesting. (totally optional) |
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F, 4/21 |
These are 2 class meetings for which we agreed to cancel previous
classes. You are expected to attend. Plus, I think it will be enjoyable. § 4:30 PM - Film, Paradise Now, Kochoff
Hall § 7 PM: class will meet at
Prof. Stockton's house (directions below) to discuss the ethics of war/peace
in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. |
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M, 4/24 |
Final test, regular
classroom. Study Guide (revised) You will need a regular blue book and a blue or black ink pen. |
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