IS 443 - The Morality of War

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine the criteria that are used to make determinations regarding the justice and injustice of warfare. Both contemporary and classical philosophers will be examined, and a variety of historical examples will be considered so that students can acquire experience in applying these criteria. Specific questions to be considered include: What are the just purposes for which one may go to war? What is the manner in which a just war must be fought? Who has the authority to make such determinations? Must one discriminate between combatants and non-combatants? Can war be morally distinguished from other types of conflict, such as terrorism? These and other related questions within the just war tradition will be explored throughout the term.