SISU-270 Justice, Ethics, and Human Rights in International Affairs (3)

This course introduces students to questions surrounding the role of justice, ethics, and human rights in international affairs. The course first presents key theoretical controversies involved in efforts to incorporate morality into international and domestic politics and explores alternative philosophical foundations to such efforts. Students then learn about existing international legal and human rights regimes espousing such moral commitments, as well as strategies used by non-governmental organizations and social movements to increase the presence of justice, ethics, rights, and emancipation in international affairs. Throughout the course, students are exposed to some of the field’s most critical debates, and to a variety of Western and non-Western perspectives on the meaning and practice of ethics. The course challenges students to think critically and question their assumptions; it also asks them to grapple with the numerous challenges associated with the task of strengthening morally-informed policies and practices internationally. Usually Offered: fall and spring. Grading: A-F only. Prerequisite: SISU-105.