Ethics and Technologies of War

This course is available for in-person and remote (online) learning. This course examines ethical norms on the use of armed force for political purposes and it includes a particular focus on the relationship between those norms and military technologies. It explores how, and the extent to which, ethical and/or technological considerations influence strategic and tactical decisions. After an introduction to Just War theory, the course examines a range of topics, drawing on historical and contemporary ideas and information. These include: basic concepts of international law on armed conflict; pre-emptive and preventive war; humanitarian interventions; non-combatant immunity; mercenaries and private military companies; drones and robots; nuclear weapons; inhumane and ‘non-lethal’ weapons; military medical ethics; intelligence and counterterrorism; and post-war recovery. The overall aim of the course is to provide students with a stronger understanding of the strategic, operational, political and ethical concerns surrounding these issues, their security implications, and the conceptual and empirical connections between them. Course activities and assessment tasks are designed to encourage critical thinking and intellectual autonomy.