POLIS 3114 - The Ethics of War and Peace
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code POLIS 3114 Course The Ethics of War and Peace Coordinating Unit Politics and International Relations Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study Incompatible POLIS 2109 Assessment Seminar Work, Class Tests, Research Essay Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Benito Cao
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. understand the ethical dimension of international relations;
2. understand and apply the major theories of international ethics;
3. identify and discuss past, present and future ethical challenges;
4. think critically about the ethical dimension of global politics;
5. conduct independent research utilising a variety of sources;
6. critically engage with relevant ethical political developments;
7. produce coherent and well substantiated ethical arguments;
8. express ideas confidently, thoughtfully and respectfully; and
9. work with others in the exploration of relevant political content.University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2, 3, 4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
4, 5, 6, 9 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
5, 7, 8, 9 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
3, 4 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
5 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Course Reader and continual access to MyUni.Recommended Resources
Recommended resources such as additional readings, essay writing information, referencing guidelines, and a wide range of information regarding student support services will be available in the course webpage located on MyUni.Online Learning
MyUni will be utilised to upload a wide range of of course resources, including seminar slides, required readings, and news items. The basic course content presented in lecture format during the seminars will be recorded and available on MyUni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is delivered in seminar mode: 3-hour weekly seminars.
The first part of the seminars will introduce (in lecture format) the key concepts, theories and themes, using a combination of multi-media sources (e.g. slides, videos, web-links, etc.).
The second part of the seminars will consist of small-group activities and semi-structured discussions on the weekly topics, with reference to the lecture content, the required readings, the video materials, and the selected news items for seminar discussion.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS 1 x 3-hour seminar (or equivalent) per week 36 hours per semester 3 hours seminar preparation per week 36 hours per semester 3 hours reading per week 36 hours per semester 2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester 2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester 156 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
Schedule Week 1 Introduction Week 2 Theoretical Approaches Week 3 Film Analysis: Eye in the Sky Week 4 Jus ad Bellum [Resort to War] Week 5 Jus in Bello [Conduct of War] Week 6 Jus post Bellum [Post-War Conduct] Week 7 Historical Memory & History Wars Week 8 Cyberwarfare, Drones and Cyborgs Week 9 Terrorism, Torture & Human Rights Week 10 Humanitarian Intervention [in R2P] Week 11 Peacebuilding and Development Week 12 Course Review and Course Test Specific Course Requirements
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome Seminar Work Formative and Summative 20% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Multiple Choice Test Summative 30% 1,2, 3 Research Essay Formative and Summative 50% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Assessment Related Requirements
ATTENDANCE AT SEMINARS IS COMPULSORY. Failure to attend three or more seminars without permission from the course coordinator can result in the student being precluded from passing the course.Assessment Detail
Seminar Work: Seminars are forums for free exchange and discussion of informed opinions, that is, ideas and thoughts based on reading and reflection, as well as places for raising questions and for the exchange of relevant information. All students are expected to have read the required readings in preparation for the seminars. Seminar work will be assessed on the basis of the depth of knowledge on the weekly topic, the quality of engagement with the weekly readings and other materials, and the attitude displayed towards the arguments and contributions of others. Seminar work includes the submission of multiple choice questions. This activity will be assessed separately according to guidelines provided during the first seminar, in Week 1.
Multiple Choice Test: The multiple-choice test will be held during the final seminar (paper-based test), in Week 12. The test will assess the student's knowledge of key concepts, theories and themes explored throughout the course, as well as the student's ability to apply the ethical frameworks discussed in the course to specific cases or scenarios. The test will be based on material discussed in the lectures and/or contained in the required readings (i.e. the course reader).
Research Essay: The research essay will assess the student's knowledge of ethical approaches to war and peace in international politics. It will require the student to develop logical arguments about ethical dilemmas that are backed up with evidence. The assessment will test the student's abilityto conduct independent research, formulate well substantiated arguments, apply ethical principles to specific scenarios, and approach ethical questions in a logical fashion. The task draws together the knowledge of key approaches and issues in international ethics, and the application of ethical theories and concepts to the conduct of international politics. Students will be able to select an essay question from a list that will be posted on MyUni, or come up with their own question. Those who choose to write their own question must get approval from their tutor no less than two weeks prior to the due date. The research essay will be 2000-2200 words.
Important Note: essential information to complete these assignments successfully will be provided in due course in tutorials and on MyUni in the form of responses to frequently asked questions [FAQs].Submission
Essays must be submitted electronically, through Turnitin. The link will be available on MyUni.
Late assignments without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 2% (2 marks) per day.
There is a cut-off period of 7 days (including weekends and public holidays), after which late submissions without a formal extension will not be accepted/marked. In the case of late submissions with a formal extension approved, the cut-off date is 7 days (including weekends and public holidays) from the revised due date, at 11:59pm.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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