PLIR 3310 spr 2022 syllabus PDF

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syllabus for the class in spring of 2022...

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Department of Politics—PLIR 3310:

Ethics and Human Rights in World Affairs Professor Michael Joseph Smith— Spring Term 2022 H ow do issues of ethical choice and human rights operate in the world of states? Has the end of the Cold War meant that cosmopolitan ideals now hold greater sway among states than traditional ideas of national interests? Or have terrorism, the “war on terror,” and continuing civil, ethnic, and religious conflicts undermined the (fragile) global network of legal and normative restraints? Through lectures and discussion sections, the course considers ideas of philosophers like Thucydides and Kant in addition to concrete cases and dilemmas taken from contemporary international relations. We will pay special attention to controversies surrounding the definitions of human rights; the international treaties and institutions designed to promote human rights; the justification and conduct of war; responses to global pandemics; and the moral responsibilities of leaders and citizens. Course Objective: Students should be able to define a consistent ethical position of their own and then apply this position to contemporary issues of international relations. Lectures, discussions, writing assignments, and readings are all designed with this overarching goal in mind. Lectures will be offered on MW from 3-3:50 Course Requirements include: 

One 7-8 page (2000 word) mid-term essay (from set questions provided in advance) due on Monday February 28. This will count for 30% of the final grade; late papers will be penalized.

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One 7-8 page critical book/film review (from a list to be provided) due on Monday April 25 (30%).

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A open-book, take-home final examination due on Tuesday May 10 at 5:00 pm (30%). One required question will be based on the issue you choose to follow; one other question (from a limited choice) will cover material postmidterm. Questions will be provided in advance and your answers will be limited by length, not time. Thus there should be no need for rescheduling or time/place accommodations.

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Active, prepared, and consistent participation in section discussions. (10%)

In addition to these requirements, each student should regularly follow the progress of a current international issue. For example, one could follow specific (domestic or international) responses to continuing terrorist attacks; or the situation in Iraq, Syria, or Afghanistan; or the human rights situation in a particular context (e.g. China, the Philippines, Myanmar, aspects of the global pandemic, migration and asylum). Your task will be to read a major newspaper (such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, or The Guardian) every day and keep an informal journal about your issue. One question on the final exam will be directed to this continuing 1

project. Course Website: Check the Course “Collab” website frequently for readings, lecture outlines, and other relevant information. Office Hours this term will be in On Wednedays 4:30-6:00 and Thursdays 2:00-5:00 pm in Gibson S-396. Major Readings for the class are available for purchase at the UVa Bookstore. Many other important readings have been posted on the Course Collab Website—a continuing resource for you—check it often.(Also check the UVA Bookstore’s Inclusive Access option for the Kant and Donnelly books— ([email protected] ) Section Leaders: Olyvia Christley (orc8nv) and Layla Picard (lp9sg); they will post office hours.

Outline of Readings and Lectures I. The Problem of Morality in International Affairs A. Introduction: Moral Argument (January 19, 24, 26) Mise en Scène—Several short articles on recent events, Website. William K. Frankena, Ethics, Second edition, chapters 1-3, 6. Isaiah Berlin, “My Intellectual Path,” Course Website. (Focus on the sections starting with “Pluralism.”) B. Raison d’etat versus Cosmopolitanism 1. “Realism”-- Classical and Modern

(January 31, February 2, 7)

Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, Book I: paragraphs 1-88, 118-146; Book II: ¶¶1-65; Book III: ¶¶36-50, 69-85; Book V: ¶¶84-116. (Note that the assignment is by paragraphs, not pages, to accommodate owners of different editions of the book.) Max Weber, “Politics as a Vocation” in H.H. Gerth and C.W. Mills (editors), From Max Weber, pages 77 ff. Pay special attention to pages 77-95 and 115-128.), (Course Website). Michael Joseph Smith, Realist Thought from Weber to Kissinger, chapters 1, 2, 4-6. (Course Website). 2.

Kantian

Cosmopolitanism

(February 9, 14, 16) Immanuel Kant, “Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose”, “On the Relationship of Theory to Practice...”, “Perpetual Peace,” various editions; preferred translation is in the Cambridge edition, Reiss, ed., Kant’s Political Writings. Kwame Anthony Appiah, “The Importance of Elsewhere: In Defense of Cosmopolitanism,” (2019) Website. 2

C. Theory and the Limits of Ethical Action

( February 21, 23)

Smith, Realist Thought, chapter 9, Course Website. Sarah Tobias, “Toward a Feminist Ethic of War and Peace,” Course Website. N.B.: Midterm Essay is due to your TA on Monday February 28 by 5:00 pm

II.

Human Rights

A. Debates on Foundations and Definitions ( March 2, 14; Spring break occurs from March 5-13) Jack Donnelly & D.J. Whelan, International Human Rights, 6 th edition (2018), chapters 1-4 (pp. 3-90). (In the 5 th edition, same chapters, pp. 3-72) Amartya Sen, “Human Rights and Asian Values,” Website. Martha Nussbaum, “Women and Cultural Universals,” Website.

B. Agreements and Institutions versus Actual Practices 16, 21)

(March

Read the treaty documents comprising the international “bill of rights,” i.e. the UDHR, the Genocide Convention, the ICCPR, ICESCR, available on Collab\Resources\UN Documents and Treaties Donnelly, International Human Rights, chapters 5-7. (Same chapters in 5th and 5th editions.) Rupert Emerson, “The Fate of Human Rights in the Third World,” Course Website . Martha Nussbaum, “Religion and Women’s Human Rights,” Course Website.

III. Human Rights, Ethics and the Contemporary Dilemmas A. Classical Just War Theory

(March 23)

National Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Challenge of Peace, ¶¶68-122, (Website). B. Jus ad bellum: Aggression and Self-Defense 3

(March 28, 30)

Michael Walzer, Just and Unjust Wars, Preface to original edition, Part I, entire; Part II, chapters 4 (text of book available on Collab). Michael Joseph Smith, “Growing up with Just and Unjust Wars,” Website. C. “ Humanitarian” Intervention for Human Rights?

(April 4, 6)

1. Conceptual Issues Michael Walzer, Just and Unjust Wars, Part II, chapter 6. Donnelly & Whelan, International Human Rights, chapter 10 (both editions). M.J. Smith, "Ethics and Intervention," and “Humanitarian Intervention: An Overview of the Issues,” Course Website. D. Jus in bello: War-fighting, “Necessity,” War Crimes, Terrorism, and the Debate on Torture (April 11, 13, 18) Walzer, Just and Unjust Wars, Part III, chapters 8-9, 12; Part IV, chapters 14, 16,18. Donnelly, International Human Rights, chapter 13 (6th ed.)/chapter 12 (5th edition). Azmat Khan, NY Times (12.18.2021), “Hidden Pentagon Records Reveal Patterns of Failure…”, Website. Azmat Khan, NY Times (12.19.2021)”The Human Toll of America’s Airstrikes…”, Website. Stephen Holmes, “Is Defiance of Law a Proof of Success? Magical Thinking in the War on Terror,” Website, in “Torture Debate” folder Darius Rejali, “Torture’s Dark Allure,” and “Does Torture Work?” Website, “Rejali on Torture” in the “Torture Debate” folder. E. Global Health, Pandemics, and Human Rights (April 20, 25, 27) (All articles in this section are the the “Z Global Health & Pandemic” folder on Collab) Jonathan Wolff, The Human Right to Health (2012), chapters 2 and 3, Website Stephanie Nolen, “In Southern Africa, Suceess against HIV offers hope…” (NYTimes, 1/11/2022), Website. L. Brilliant, L. Danzig et. al., “The Forever Virus: A Strategy for the Long Fight against Covid-19,” Foreign Affairs, July-August 2021, Website. WHO, “Statement by Director and Interview with Head of Health Emergencies, (12.29.2021)” Website. Zeynep Tufecki, NYTimes Articles on US reponse to the pandemic 2020-22, Website. Helen Branswell, “10 lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic,” (12.2021), Website. 4

IV. Conclusion: Prospects for Ethics and Human Rights (May 2)  N.B. The Critical Book/Film Review is due on Monday April 25, 2022 at 5 pm. ■ Remember the due date of the final examination! --

Tuesday May 10, 2022 at 5 pm. ■ The take-home final exam is open-book and untimed, with questions provided in advance; so no changes of date or accommodations will be needed or granted. Your answers will be limited by length and submitted online to your TA.

Please note carefully the statement on the class policy with respect to the UVA Honor Code; this is available on the course Collab website. 

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