ATS3639 - Poverty, climate change and international justice - 2019

What does justice demand of rich individuals and/or nations in response to poverty, climate change and natural disasters? What difference does it make if these misfortunes occur inside or outside of our national border? What is the proper role of international organizations in addressing these problems? This unit examines conflicting answers to these questions offered by leading theorists in environmental ethics and international justice. The unit will serve as an introduction to central moral and political dilemmas of the 21st century. No background in philosophy is required, merely an interest in rational debate about world affairs and a passion for the question: what ought we to do?

Students successfully completing this unit will be able to:

1. critically assess the ethical aspects of proposed measures to alleviate environmental problems, global poverty and inequality
2. apply theories of justice to problems of practical concern
3. comprehend and critically assess complex moral and political arguments
4. effectively communicate theoretical ideas in written assignments
5. contribute to the developing debate on the justice of current international relations and solutions to international problems.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Human rights

International studies

Philosophy