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Academic Year 2004/2005

International Justice
GOVT 398 SP

This course examines the moral and political issues that arise in the context of international politics. Is the use of violence by states limited by moral rules, and is there such a thing as a just war? Are there any human rights that all states must respect? Should violations of those rights be adjudicated in international courts? Are states justified in enforcing such rights beyond their own borders? Is a system of independent states morally legitimate? What, if any, are the grounds on which states can claim freedom from interference by other states and actors in their "internal" affairs? Must all legitimate states be democracies? Do states and/or individuals have an obligation to provide assistance to foreign states and citizens? Are there any requirements of international distributive justice?

MAJOR READINGS

Thucydides, HISTORY OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR
T. Hobbes, LEVIATHAN
I. Kant, PERPETUAL PEACE
J. Rawls, THE LAW OF PEOPLES
M. Walzer, JUST AND UNJUST WARS
Others TBA

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

This course is a seminar; class meeting will be conducted by discussion, so it is essential that all readings be done prior to class. Requirements will include two short papers and a term paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

"Students who wish to be eligible to register for the course during Drop/Add must add themselves to the enrollment request system during on-line registration. Enrollment request preference rankings will be one factor I will consider in making Drop/Add period registration decisions."

Students who were not successful in preregistering for the class should come to the first meeting in case spaces open up.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA GOVT    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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