International Relations and Politics|Political Theory

global justice|international political theory|ethics of foreign policy|normative issues in global

This module explores normative debates in foreign policy and international relations. Through a combination of theoretical and empirical readings, we ask the...

This module explores normative debates in foreign policy and international relations. Through a combination of theoretical and empirical readings, we ask the question of what justice might demand between states and across societies, and how such demands ought to shape foreign policy and global governance. Some possible topics that we will cover include: global historic injustice and empire; just and unjust wars; human rights and humanitarian intervention; ethics of international aid and debt; global poverty and redistribution; justice in trade and investment; ethics of immigration and borders; transnational activism, and so on.
This module assumes knowledge of political theory. Students should have taken two introductory political theory modules (such as POLS0061 and POLS0064, or POLS0006 and PHIL0007, or equivalent modules) prior to this module, as the module will build on foundational political theory knowledge.
By the end of the module you will be able to:
1. Articulate the main arguments and positions of central debates in normative political theory on international affairs.
2. Critically assess these debates to identify problems within prevailing arguments.
3. Develop and justify your own responses to philosophical and practical issues in global ethics.

This course will examine some selected topics in applied ethics.

The following topics will be covered: abortion, rape, euthanasia, non-human animals, future...

This course will examine some selected topics in applied ethics.

The following topics will be covered: abortion, rape, euthanasia, non-human animals, future people, affirmative action, disability, privacy and the ethics of immigration.

Students will be expected to read at least two papers for most topics, and to participate actively in the back-up seminar. Assessment will be by an two-hour examination, in which students will be expected to answer two questions. This final paper will offer a wide range of questions to choose from, but a question on each topic is not guaranteed.

Philosophy Area B