Phil 202* Course outline

Winter 2008

Classroom: Ellis Auditorium
Class schedule: Tuesday 4:00-5:30; Thursday 2:30-4:00
Course info page: http://qlink.queensu.ca/~9msk/phil202/

Instructor: Michael Kocsis
Office: 024 Watson Hall
Office Hours: Tuesday 2-3pm (also by appointment)
Email: 9msk@qlink.queensu.ca
Phone: 533-6000 EXT# 78431

Course Summary

In this course we will examine some major philosophies of peace and nonviolence. We will begin by looking at readings within the pacifist camp, including both ‘historical’ and ‘analytical’ examples of pacifism. We will then explore the influence pacifism has had in modern debates about the ethics of war. We will survey the tradition of writings known as ‘just war theory’, and critically evaluate a new book by the Canadian philosopher Brian Orend entitled The Morality of War.

Evaluation

• Critical summaries (40%) [Instructions TBA in week 1]
• In-class test (20%) [Thurs. Jan. 29th @ regular classroom]
• Final exam (40%) [Queen’s exam period - April 10-26]

Your grade will consist of; i) four “critical summaries”, ii) one in-class test, and iii) a final exam scheduled by Queen’s during the examination period. Students will submit critical summaries of roughly 500-750w (2-3p, d/s). Each will be graded out of ten, contributing 10% of your overall grade. Details about submission and evaluation of critical summaries will be announced during the first week of class. The in-class test will include multiple choice and short answer questions. The final exam will include multiple choice and short answer questions, as well as essay questions asking you to explain and defend your own position on some major pacifist arguments.

Statement on Plagiarism:

All course work deemed to be in violation of Queen’s policies on academic honesty will be handled according to the procedures and penalties set out in the A&SS calendar. Plagiarism is defined in the calendar as; “submitting an essay written in whole or in part by someone else as one’s own, preparing an essay or assignment for submission by another student, copying an essay or assignment, or knowingly allowing one’s essay or assignment to be copied by someone else for the purposes of plagiarism, using direct quotations or large sections of paraphrased material without acknowledgement, buying or selling of term papers or assignments and submitting them as one’s own for the purpose of plagiarism, submitting the same piece of work in more than one course without the permission of the instructor(s)” Take note that cutting & pasting from the WWW is a form of plagiarism that is easy to detect.

Missed test & Lateness Policy:

If you anticipate missing our in-class test, contact the course instructor in advance. Re-tests will be granted for serious medical or personal reasons. Critical summaries will not be accepted after the Queen’s final term-work deadline.

Writing Tutorial Centre:

Those who feel apprehensive about writing critical summaries might consider contacting Queen’s Writing Centre. The centre provides one-to-one tutorials and regular workshops throughout the term. You can call their office at 613-533-6315 or visit the Writing Centre website at: http://www.queensu.ca/writingcentre/

Textbooks & Resources:

There is one required textbook plus a package of required readings available for purchase or copying at the P&CC/Greenroom. Any change to the reading list will be indicated on the course info webpage (http://qlink.queensu.ca/~9msk/phil202/). The webpage contains all course materials, such as the reading schedule below; suggestions for test/exam review; comment sheet instructions; and course announcements. A folder in Stauffer’s “course reserve” contains a set of course readings, plus resources for additional background. You will benefit from reading the assigned material prior to class.

• Required: PHIL 202 Courseware (P&CC / Greenroom)
• Required: Orend, The Morality of War (Broadview, 2006)

PHIL 202 – Weekly reading schedule

1. Tuesday Jan. 8

• Introduction

2. Thursday Jan. 10

• Michael Walzer, “Nonviolence and the Theory of War”
• Douglas Lackey, “Pacifism”

3. Tuesday Jan. 15

• Jesus of Nazareth, “Sermon on the Mount/ The Good Samaritan”
• Cheyney Ryan, “The Morality of Pacifism”

4. Thursday Jan. 17

• Gandhi, “The Practice of Satyagraha”

5. Tuesday Jan. 22

• Martin Luther King Jr., “A Letter from Birmingham Jail”

6. Thursday Jan. 24

• Kant, “Perpetual Peace”
• Michael Walzer, “Just and Unjust War”

7. Tuesday Jan. 29

• IN-CLASS TEST [regular lecture room – Ellis Auditorium]

8. Thursday Jan. 31

• Jan Narveson, “Pacifism: A Philosophical Analysis”
• Conrad Brunk, “Is Pacifism Morally Coherent? Reply to Narveson”

9. Tuesday Feb. 5

• Elizabeth Anscombe, “War and Murder”
• Boonin & Oddie, “Is Killing in War Wrong?”

10. Thursday Feb. 7

• Fullwinder, “War and Innocence”
• Alexander, “Reply to Fullwinder”

11. Tuesday Feb. 12

• Sara Ruddick, “Mothers and Men's Wars”
• Sara Ruddick, “A Women's Politics of Resistance”

12. Thursday Feb. 14

• Jean Bethke Elshtain, “Is There a Feminist Tradition on War and Peace?” (P&CC)
• Sarah Tobias, “Toward a Feminist Ethic of War and Peace”

***Winter Break – Feb. 18-22***

13. Tuesday Feb. 26

• Richard Wasserstrom, “On the Morality of War”

14. Thursday Feb. 28

• Brian Orend, “What Justifies Human Rights?”

15. Tuesday March 4

• Brian Orend, “Can Human Rights Withstand Criticism?”

16. Thursday March 6

• Brian Orend, Chapter 1: “A Sweeping History of Just War Theory

17. Tuesday March 11

• Brian Orend, Chapter 2: “Jus ad Bellum #1: Resisting Aggression”

18. Thursday March 13

• Brian Orend, Chapter 3: “Jus ad Bellum #2: Non-Classical Wars”

19. Tuesday March 18

• Brian Orend, Chapter 4: “Jus in Bello #1: Just Conduct in War”

20. Thursday March 20

• Brian Orend, Chapter 5: “Jus in Bello #2: Supreme Emergencies”

21. Tuesday March 25

• Brian Orend, Chapter 8: “Evaluating the Realist Alternative”

22. Thursday March 27

• Brian Orend, Chapter 9: “Evaluating the Pacifist Alternative”

23. Tuesday April 1

• James Sterba, “Reconciling Pacifists and Just War Theorists”

24. Thursday April 3

• Conclusion & Review
  

Final exam scheduled by Queen’s during exam period (April 10-26).