The Problem of War | Interim 2012  

Course Description

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the long tradition of debate concerning the nature and legitimacy of war. We will explore the reality of war, the revulsion of violence and the possibility of just war by reading a variety of classic texts ranging from Thucydides to Kant to Walzer. We will also explore how these historical approaches continue to animate contemporary debates. Finally we will look closely at a few recent conflicts, including the current war on terror, in light of the moral and empirical arguments we have learned.

Course Objectives

This course fulfills the Historical Studies in Western Culture (HWC) requirements for General Education at St. Olaf. The course is designed to help student1s

1. develop familiarity with influential approaches to political debate both historically and in contemporary affairs;
2. acquire reading skills appropriate to advanced theoretical and philosophical texts;
3. improve writing and oral skills, both technically and aesthetically;
4. expand independent critical capacities, both in analyzing political theory on its own merits and in relating theory to contemporary political problems;
5. enhance capacity to work with and learn from other members of the class.

Required Books

Michael Walzer, Just and Unjust Wars

Immanuel Kant, Perpetual Peace and Other Essays

Supplemental Readings linked to our course schedule.