Practical Ethics in World Politics: Understanding Cosmopolitanism

Prerequisites

Basic Studies.

Compensations

The course forms Part of Study Unit M210. Maailmanpolitiikan teoriasuuntaukset/ Theoretical Orientations in World Politics.

Compensations

The course replaces two books from the M210 book exam:

(1) Hollis, Martin, and Smith, Steve: Explaining and Understanding International Relations;

and

(2) Brown, Chris: International Relations Theory: New Normative Approaches

Target group/Course level

Intermediate level world politics students (space permitting, others may also be admitted)

Objectives

World politics concerns problems too complex and important to be confined to any single academic discipline. Thus the International Relations discipline increasingly finds that its “own” subject is being studied closely by many others also, often in less narrow and more intellectually rewarding, imaginative ways. One such alternative approach is offered by the growing number of political philosophers involved in practical philosophy or practical/applied ethics (the three labels are more or less interchangeable). Within the practical ethics movement, we focus in particular on cosmopolitanism. The central course objective is to demonstrate how cosmopolitan outlooks on major global problems can contribute to finding the sorts of solutions urgently needed in an increasingly interdependent, complex world.

To explore cosmopolitan's potential as an imaginative philosophical approach to urgent practical problems, the course is aimed at providing a fairly detailed overview of cosmopolitanism by focusing on four broad issue areas: war, environmental harm, poverty, and movement of people (refugee crises, migration, immigration).

Content

• 1.16.9. 2008. Starting points, I. Introduction. Practical ethics: what it is. (handouts)
  
  
  
• 2.18.9.2008. Starting points, II. Introduction to cosmopolitanism. (handouts)
  
  
• 3. 23.9.2008. Poverty, I. Universal moral obligations and distant suffering (handouts)
  
  
• 4. 25.9.2008. Poverty, II. Modern slavery.
  
  
• 5. 30.9.2008. Poverty, III. Competing measures of wellbeing and progress.
  
  
• 6. 2.10.2008. Violence, I. The killing of civilians.
  
  
• 7. 7.10.2008. Violence, II. Torture.
  
  
• 8. 9.10.2008. Violence, III. Sexual violence and violation of human dignity.
  
  
• 9. 14.10.2008. Environment, I. Consumerism and Moral Responsibility.
  
  
• 10. 16.10.2008. Environment, II Climate Change. Conclusion to the course.
  
  
• Required Reading for the Course: One short article only, for CLASS 4, 18.9.2008:
  

Singer, Peter (1972) ‘Famine, Affluence, and Morality’, Philosophy and Public Affairs, Vol. 1, No. 3 (Spring), pp. 229-243.

Stable link to the article (will only work within the University of Helsinki computer system, or any other library that buys the Philosophy and Public Affairs journal): http://www.jstor.org/stable/2265052 - If that source fails or is unavailable, Singer’s article can also be found at http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/1972----.htm

Course work and forms of study

Regular attendance and active participation through questions and discussion are considered essential and will be taken into account in assigning final grades.

There is no final exam. To receive the course credits students submit an essay of no less than 3000 words. Essay topics will be specified at the start of the course.

Essays must be e-mailed to the lecturer (james.oconnor@helsinki.fi) BY 3pm on FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER AT THE LATEST.

Students whose native language is not English are encouraged to concentrate on developing their academic writing skills by writing the essay in their own language (insofar as the lecturer’s current capabilities allow). Apart from English, essays can be submitted in Finnish, Swedish, German, Spanish or Italian.

If a student doesn't attend other M210 courses during the academic year 2008-2009 the remaining credits of the study unit must be completed as a book exam within six months of course completion. N.B. – This applies to major and minor students, not to exchange and visiting students unless they wish to take the whole study unit.

Grading

The course work will be graded on the standard scale of 0-5.

Course results and retake

Course results will be posted on the Department notice board (Unionkatu 37, 1st floor) by 15 December 2008. Students who are dissatisfied with their final grade are welcome to re-submit their essays after revision if they wish to improve their grade.

Course evaluation anddevelopment

During the last session, students will have an opportunity to give feedback on the course to the lecturer and to fill in an anonymous evaluation form. During the course feedback can be given anonymously.

When giving feedback, please evaluate the contribution of the teacher, your own contribution, the contributions of other students and the possible contribution of the Department office to the success of the course.