Course syllabus

POLITICS 773: From Dresden to Drones: The Ethics of War

SEMESTER 1, 2018

15 points

 
Course Convenor and Teacher: 

Tom Gregory  - t.gregory@auckland.ac.nz

Course delivery format:

Two hour tutorial. 

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

 Summary of Course Description:              

The aim of this course is to examine the ethico-political debates about the violence inflicted in war, focusing particular attention on how the changing nature of contemporary conflict compels us to rethink the ways in which violence is justified. The paper will begin with an analysis of the existing ethical and legal frameworks and the ways in which they continue to circumscribe the ways in which we tend to think about the violence inflicted in war. Drawing on the work of thinkers like Talal Asad, Giorgio Agamben, Judith Butler and Jacques Derrida, students will be encouraged to consider the limitations of these frameworks when it comes to thinking about the violence inflicted on others. In the second part of the course, we will turn our attention to some of the problems animating current debates about the ethics of contemporary conflict, including targeted killing, civilian casualties and the use of torture against suspected terrorists. These broad themes will enable students to explore some of the main areas of tension concerning the problem of killing in war, including the use of remotely-piloted drones in Pakistan and beyond, counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and the growth of private military companies. In addition to the case-studies listed above, students will be expected to draw on examples from conflicts in Libya, Syria and Vietnam, as well as the First and Second World Wars.

Course outcomes:

• Have an excellent understanding of the different theoretical approaches to thinking about the ethics of contemporary conflict, as well as the main limitations of these approaches.

• Be able to critically assess the ethical tensions surrounding contemporary practices of violence, including targeted killings, the destruction of the urban environment and the use of torture.
• Have strengthened their analytical skills through an understanding of complex ethical issues, such as civilian casualties, the privatisation of war and the use of unmanned aerial drones, and the complex theoretical debates that shape our understanding of them.
• Have refined their communication skills by undertaking a variety of written and oral as signments, including a research essay, a class presentation, written blog post, and a roleplay on the ethics of robotic warfare.

Assessment Summary:

Presentation and Discussion: 500 words 10% Due: TBA

Role-Play: 1,000 words 20% Due: April 18

Blog: 1,000 words 20% Due: June 1

Research Essay: 3,500 words 50% Due: June 8

 Weekly Topics:

Introduction, Ethics of War, Law and War, Civilian Casualties, Human Shields, Drones, Counterinsurgency, Terrorism, Atrocities, Urbicide and Mercenaries. 

Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.