Undergraduate - UnitAZA3640 - Philosophy of war and global conflict

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Offered	South Africa First semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Mr Leon Marincowitz

Synopsis

The unit adopts a global perspective but looks at issues through a South African and African lens. We examine questions such as: When, if ever, is warfare justified? What about humanitarian intervention? What about violent revolution and terrorism? Why should civilians be protected in conflict? These issues are linked to the situation in Africa, with particular reference to some of the vexing dilemmas encountered within this context, such as terrorism, dictatorships and civil war. This unit will introduce students to theoretical approaches to the ethics of conflict that will allow them to answer these difficult questions. It will also serve to introduce students to basic ideas in moral and political philosophy. No background in philosophy is required: merely an interest in rational argument applied to global conflict.

Outcomes

Students successfully completing the unit at 3-level will:

have a high level of understanding of the central ideas of just war theory;
appreciate and be able to explain a wide variety of criticisms of just war theory;
have developed the ability to apply philosophical theories of justice in conflict to actual cases from recent history;
be able to develop and critically assess arguments about the justification of violence in the pursuit of political ends;
have improved their ability to effectively communicate about complex issues in international affairs;
have developed their ability to conduct independent research on topics of international justice;
be able to critically assess the situation in Africa and its accompanying political dilemmas as it relates to issues of violence and justice;
be able to philosophically interpret the political landscape in Africa and how it relates to the rest of the world.

Assessment

Written work: 65% (3000 words)
Tutorial Participation: 10%
Test: 25%
1. Short Assignment: 500 words (10 %)
3. Essay: 2500 words (55%)
4. Tutorial Presentation (5%)
5. Tutorial Attendance (5%)
6. Test: 1100 words (25%)