DHUM 25A32 - Ethics of War and Peace

The idea of “thinking about war” has animated human society, Western and non-Western, since their origins. One of the major sources of reflection is intimately linked to the question of the legitimacy of war. More specifically, it looks into knowing if a war is just or not, whether concerning its beginning, the conduct in war or its ending. This course analyzes the doctrine of just war through multiple dimensions (historical, theoretical, practical, critical, etc.). In other terms, it proposes an understanding of the ethics of war through its complexities, starting from the different debates and challenges, both political (terrorism, preventive war, humanitarian interventions, etc.) and technological (cyberwarfare, drones, enhanced soldiers, etc.), which contribute to its evolution.

• 1 final written exam with a topic discussed during the course (two hours on session 12) (60%)
• 1 group presentation with a topic chosen by the instructor (presented during the first session) (30%)
• Student engagement during the semester (participation in class discussions during and outside of class, ability to ask questions, and class citizenship etc.) (10%)