POLS 456H: War, Empire and = Ethics

POLS 456: War, Empire and Ethics

Northern Illinois University

Department of Political = Science

Spring 2011

Instructor

Dr.=20 Andrea Radasanu

Office

Zulauf 408

Phone=20 Number

753-7052=20

Email=20 Address

aradasanu@niu.edu=20

Office=20 Hours

Tuesdays=20 1:30pm-3:30pm; Thursdays = 9:30am-10:30am; and by=20 appointment

Classroom

DU=20 252

Class=20 Time

Tuesdays=20 and Thursdays 8:00am-9:15am=20

Course = Description:

=93War, Empire and Ethics=94 is a course in which = we ask the=20 question: What makes a war = just?=20 Given that the United States finds itself in a controversial war, the = justice of=20 which is hotly debated, there is no more timely a question. On what = basis do you=20 find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with the current Gulf War? On what = basis=20 do we judge any war to be just? In this class, we probe the western = tradition as=20 we attempt to put this question in historical and philosophical context. = We will=20 consume philosophical tracts and discuss wars =96ancient and modern =96 = all with a=20 view to developing our knowledge and our ability to form meaningful = judgments=20 about morality and war.

Readings:

The=20 following are REQUIRED texts. They can be purchased at either of the = campus=20 bookstores.

v = Course packet

v = Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan. Hackett.

v = Immanuel=20 Kant, Perpetual Peace and Other = Essays. Hackett.

v = Robert=20 D. Kaplan, Warrior = Politics, Vintage=20 Books, 2002

v = Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, Cambridge = UP,=20 1989

v = Francisco de Vittoria, Political=20 Writings, Cambridge UP, 1991

v = Michael=20 Walzer, Just=20 and Unjust Wars. Basic Books.

Course = Requirements:

1. Attendance and Participation:

Your attendance = and class=20 participation are important components of the course and will make up = 10% of=20 your course grade. You are expected to participate in a lively manner, = by=20 answering questions about the texts, asking questions about the texts, = and,=20 generally, by offering insightful comments that will enrich your = experience as=20 well as that of your fellow students.

2. Reading:

All reading = assignments must=20 be completed BEFORE the beginning of the relevant class. Please keep in = mind=20 that your ability to participate effectively will depend on your = diligence in=20 completing the readings as assigned. All readings as well as all lecture = material are fair game for tests and examinations. You must study your = readings=20 and take good notes in class in order to do well on the tests and = examinations.

Since particular = passages of=20 the text will be referred to and read in class, please bring the = appropriate=20 texts to class.

3. Tests and = Assignments:

i)=20 Quizzes (10% each). There = will be two=20 quizzes through the course of the semester (Feb. 15 and April 14). = Quizzes will=20 not be cumulative, but will test limited material that will be specified = in=20 class.

ii) Midterm Test (15%). Cumulative = test, in=20 class (March 10).

iii) Paper. This paper will be = interpretive=20 rather than research-based. Essay topics will be handed out in the first = few=20 weeks of the course. The parameters of the papers will be spelled out at = that=20 time. Papers will be submitted in class as well as through Safe Assign. = The=20 grade for this assignment is two-fold:

1. = Essay = Topic=20 (5%): One paragraph with your thesis, which describes the way in which = you are=20 going about to prove your thesis (April 7)

2. = Final = Essay=20 (20%).

iv) Final Exam (30%). The final exam = will take=20 place at the University mandated exam time (May 10, 8am-9:50am). It will deal with the themes covered = throughout the=20 course, which is to say, it is a comprehensive exam.

Study guides are = provided for=20 all tests and exams.

Grading Scheme: =

Attendance and = Participation:=20 10%

Three Quizzes: = 10% each (20%=20 total)

Midterm Test: = 15%

Essay Topic: = 5%

Essay: 20%

Final Exam: = 30%

Grading=20 Scale:

93%-100%=20 =3D

90%-92.9%=20 =3D

A-

87.5%-89.9%=20 =3D

B+

83%-87.4%=20 =3D

80%-82.9%=20 =3D

B-

77.5%-79.9%=20 =3D

C+

60%-69.9%=20 =3D

Less=20 than 60% =3D

Lateness = Policy:

Quizzes and = midterm exam will=20 not be rescheduled unless there are extraordinary circumstances that = make it=20 impossible for the student to complete work or come to class. Let it be = clear=20 that only EXTRAORDINARY and unexpected circumstances will be considered. = For=20 example, a heavy workload within or without the university does not = count as=20 extraordinary =96and neither does a common cold or traffic problems. If = there is a=20 serious medical problem that has impeded the student=92s ability to do = his or her=20 work, then please let the professor know and bring supporting = documentation. NO=20 consideration will be given to those students who do not alert the = professor of=20 a problem prior to the due date of an assignment, presentation or = exam.=20

For the essay, if = it is not=20 handed in on time (at the beginning of the class period when it is due), = late=20 penalties will apply. Each day of lateness will cost you 5% of your = essay grade.=20 Penalties accrue each day, including weekends and holidays, until the = paper is=20 received. For example, if you hand in the paper after the class period = but on=20 the same day the paper is due, you will incur a 5% penalty. Another 5% = will=20 accrue the following day, and so on. In principle, there are NO = exceptions to=20 this policy. This is a term paper. You will have over two months to work = on it.=20 It is your responsibility to work on it in a timely fashion such that = last=20 minute colds or work load surges or personal problems don=92t get in the = way of=20 your assignment. You are encouraged to seek guidance from the professor = on the=20 essay itself early in the semester to avoid last minute = difficulties.

The Essay Topic = assignment=20 will also incur a 5% penalty per day late, as with the essay itself.

Class Decorum:

You are expected = to be=20 courteous and collegial in this class. Here are some of the decorum=20 guidelines:

v = Be on time for class.

v = Do not leave during class. Use the restroom, get a drink of water, etc. before class = begins or=20 after it ends. If you must leave early or come in late, please provide a = reasonable explanation and be as undisruptive as possible when you are = coming or=20 going.

v = Respect your classmates. Do not interrupt = your=20 colleagues, and make sure that your comments are civil. Discussion is = wonderful=20 and encouraged, but it is only possible when we listen to one another = and make=20 comments that are courteous.

v = Do not disrupt lectures. No cell phones, = no=20 private conversations, no snoring. If you wish to interrupt to ask a = question,=20 please put your hand up. Questions are encouraged!

Unannounced = Quizzes:

The professor = reserves the=20 right to give unannounced quizzes if it becomes clear that students are = not=20 doing the assigned reading, and the quality of class participation and=20 discussion is unsatisfactory.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit = assignments will=20 not be given on an individual basis to raise final grades.

Students with=20 Disabilities:

A=20 student who believes that reasonable accommodations with respect to = course work=20 or other academic requirements may be appropriate in consideration of a=20 disability must (1) provide the required verification of the disability = to the=20 Center for Access-Ability Resources, (2) meet with the Center for = Access-Ability=20 Resources to determine appropriate accommodations, and (3) inform the = faculty in=20 charge of the academic activity of the need for accommodation. Students = are=20 encouraged to inform the faculty of their requests for accommodations as = early=20 as possible in the semester, but must make the requests in a timely = enough=20 manner for accommodations to be appropriately considered and reviewed by = the=20 university. If contacted by the faculty member, the staff of the Center = for=20 Access-Ability Resources will provide advice about accommodations that = may be=20 indicated in the particular case. Students who make requests for = reasonable=20 accommodations are expected to follow the policies and procedures of the = Center=20 for Access-Ability Resources in this process, including but not limited = to the=20 Student Handbook.

A=20 wide range of services can be obtained by students with disabilities, = including=20 housing, transportation, adaptation of printed materials, and advocacy = with=20 faculty and staff.=20 Students with disabilities who need such services or want more = information=20 should contact the Center=20 for Access-Ability Resources at=20 815-753-1303.

Plagiarism = Policy:

According to the = NIU=20 Undergraduate Catalogue =93Students are guilty of plagiarism, = intentional or not,=20 if they copy material from books, magazines, or other sources without=20 identifying and acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or assisting = others in,=20 either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or examination may = receive=20 a grade of F for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed = from the=20 university.=94 In short, all ideas that are not your own=20 or well known must be footnoted. A general rule is that if the = information=20 cannot be found in three or more commonly available sources it should be = footnoted. All direct quotations must be placed in quotation marks. = These=20 guidelines will be enforced. If you are unsure as to what should be = footnoted=20 either play it safe and footnote, or ask for assistance. Failure to = adhere to=20 the University=92s plagiarism policy will result in punishments ranging = from a=20 failed course grade to suspension and even expulsion, depending on the=20 egregiousness of the infraction.

At a minimum, = flagrant=20 plagiarism will result in a failed grade on the assignment in = question.

Political Science Web=20 Site:

Students are strongly encouraged to = consult=20 the Department of Political Science web site = on a=20 regular basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will = assist=20 students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements = and=20 syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking=20 department events, and accessing important details related to = undergraduate=20 programs and activities. To reach this site, go to http://polsci.niu.edu

Undergraduate Writing=20 Awards:

The=20 Department of Political Science recognizes, = on an=20 annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers written in conjunction = with=20 300-400 level political science courses or directed studies, such as = independent=20 studies or honors theses. Winners are expected to attend the = Department=92s spring=20 graduation ceremony where they will receive a certificate and a check = for=20 $50.00. No more than two papers may be submitted by = a=20 student. There is no requirement as to the length of papers = submitted for the award. Often the Department awards prizes for both an=20 outstanding short paper and an outstanding long paper. The number and = types of=20 award is dependent upon the papers submitted for consideration in any = given=20 year. Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a = particular=20 class standing. Only papers written in the previous calendar year are = considered=20 for the award. However, papers completed in the current spring semester = are=20 eligible for the following year=92s competition even if the student has=20 graduated. Papers can be = submitted=20 by students or faculty and must be supplied in triplicate to the=20 undergraduate secretary. All copies must have two cover = pages =96=20 one with the student=92s name and one without the student=92s = name. Papers are=20 not to be stapled or bound. Instead, please use paper = clips. Papers are generally due in = March and=20 notice of call for papers and submission deadlines will be = published in the=20 department e-announcements. You may also contact the department for = information=20 at 753-1015.

Religious=20 Observance:

If classes or = assignments=20 coincide and conflict with your religious observance, please let the = professor=20 know as soon as possible so that you can be accommodated in the best = possible=20 way.

Course Outline and Due = Dates:

WEEK ONE:

January 18

Introduction

=A7 =20 Purpose and aims of=20 course.

January 20

Realism: Are ethics a = relevant=20 dimension of international relations?

=A7 =20 Walzer, = Preface=20 and Chapter 1

=A7 =20 Kaplan, Chapter = 1

WEEK TWO:

January 25

Thucydides =96 Father of = Realism

=A7 =20 Thucydides, Pericles=92s Funeral = Oration: In=20 defense of empire (Packet)

January 27

Thucydides, con=92d

=A7 =20 Thucydides, Melian Dialogue = (Packet)

WEEK THREE:

February 1

Thucydides, con=92d

=A7 =20 Kaplan, chapter = 4

February 3

Christian Just War=20 Theory

=A7 =20 Vittoria, On the=20 Law of War (p. 293-327)

WEEK FOUR:

February 8

=A7 =20 Vittoria, On the=20 American Indians (p. 250-292)

February 10

Machiavelli and the = beginning of=20 Modern Realism

=A7 =20 Con=92d, Vittoria

=A7 =20 Kaplan, chapter = 5

WEEK FIVE:

February 15

Hobbes: Realism and the = bourgeois=20

=A7 =20 Hobbes, Leviathan, chapters=20 10-15

Quiz 1

February 17

=A7 =20 Hobbes, Leviathan, chapters = 17-20,=20 29-30

WEEK SIX:

February 22

=A7 =20 Hobbes, finish

February 24

Montesquieu: Liberty and=20 Commerce

=A7 =20 Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, = Preface, Book=20 I-IV (entire), Book V (chapters 1-7), Book 8 (chapters 1-7,=20 16-17).

WEEK SEVEN:

March 1

=A7 =20 Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, = con=92d

March 3

=A7 =20 Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, = Books IX-X=20 (entire), Book XI (entire), Book XIX (chapter 27).

WEEK EIGHT:

March 8

=A7 =20 Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, Book = XX=20 (chapters 1-14), Book XXI.

March 10

Midterm=20 Test

WEEK NINE:

March 15 & 17

March=20 Break

WEEK TEN:

March 22

Kant and Modern=20 Idealism

=A7 =20 Kant, Metaphysics of Morals=20 (packet)

March 24

=A7 =20 Kant, Perpetual = Peace

=A7 =20 Kaplan, Chapter = 8

WEEK ELEVEN:

March 29

=A7 =20 Finish Kant et = al.

March 31

Walzer=92s Just War = Theory

=A7 =20 Walzer, = Chapters=20 2 and 3

WEEK TWELVE:

April 5

Crime of Aggression=20

=A7 =20 Walzer, = Chapters=20 4 and 5

April 7

=A7 =20 Walzer, = Chapter=20 16

Essay Topic=20 Due

WEEK THIRTEEN:

April 12

Interventions

=A7 =20 Walzer, = Chapter=20 6

April 14

=A7 =20 George Kennan, The War with Spain=20 (Blackboard)

Quiz=20 2

WEEK FOURTEEN:

April 19

Non-Combatant=20 Immunity

=A7 =20 Walzer, = Chapter 8=20 & 9

April 21

Asymmetrical=20 Warfare and Terrorism

=A7 =20 Movie: =93Battle of=20 Algiers=94

WEEK FIFTEEN:

April 26

=A7 =20 Movie, finish

=A7 =20 Walzer, = Chapter=20 12

April 28

=A7 =20 Con=92d

Essays=20 Due

WEEK SIXTEEN:

May 3

Future of War, Empire and=20 Ethics

=A7 =20 Kaplan, Chapter 10 and=20 11

May 5

Review

Final Exam: = Tuesday, May=20 10^th -8am-9:50am