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Amber A. Díaz
Department of Political Science
Duke University
326 Perkins Library
Box 90204
Durham, NC 27708-0204

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Ethics in Global Politics

Duke University, Spring 2011

POLSCI 199CS-01
ETHICS 180S-01
Tu Th 1:15-2:30, West Duke 101
Instructor: Amber A. Díaz

Course Overview:
In a world faced with challenges to human security ranging from terrorism and war to natural disasters and pandemics, what are the major ethical dilemmas faced by scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners? This course seeks both to identify the key unresolved problems and to parse out potential practical modes of response as global citizens. The course will begin by establishing a basis for ethical reasoning about global politics by engaging several philosophical schools of thought, and from this foundation move into discussion of salient issues including human trafficking, mass killing and genocide, humanitarian relief efforts, migration and refugees, the ethics of war and peacekeeping, climate change and ecological justice, and questions of poverty and distributive justice.

Format and Objectives:
Most of our class time in this seminar will be spent discussing and analyzing the readings for each unit, so attendance at and participation in the discussions are essential. The purpose of this course is to enable students to apply rigorous social science methodology and critical thinking to the major ethical issues faced in global politics today, in order to develop practical and applicable responses. Short papers and discussion leadership responsibilities will facilitate engagement with the readings, while small group research projects and presentations will allow students to delve more deeply into a particular topic of interest. During the semester we will also have opportunities to speak with individuals directly involved with the practice of ethics in global politics.