Spring 2005

Department of Philosophy and Religion

PHIL-693 GLOBAL ETHICS

Prof. L. Peach

Office: 111 Battelle Memorial

Phone: x2926

E-mail: LPEACH@AMERICAN.EDU

Office Hours: T, F, 12:45-2:45, Th. 3:00-5:00 pm

Or by appointment

Course Description

Ethical issues of global scope and import are in serious need of systematic and sophisticated philosophical analysis. This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine a number of ethical issues of global concern, including human rights abuses, economic globalization and its attendant injustices, inequitable distribution of the world's resources, moral obligations to starving peoples, militarization and peace and conflict resolution, and human and environmental health concerns, especially the AIDS pandemic.

Although there is considerable overlap between the various topics to be discussed, the outline for the course will covers six basic areas, as outlined below, each addressing a related set of issues which will be accompanied by a specific case study for in-depth consideration and analysis. Assignments will include problems requiring research on the internet as well as more traditional library research and reading and writing assignments.

Required Materials

Textbooks

(These books are all available at the American University bookstore)

E Amy Chua, World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability (New York: Doubleday, 2002), 0-385-50302-4 (pbk) [256] [3]

J Pogge, Thomas, ed., Global Justice (Oxford, G.B.: Blackwell Publishers, 2001), ISBN 0-631-22712-1 (pbk) (P) [3]

J Rawls, John, The Law of Peoples (pbk) (R) [ pp.] [1]

G Carol Gould, Globalizing Democracy and Human Rights (New York: Cambridge, 2004) 0-521-54127-1 (pbk) (G) [274pp] [3]

HR Tim Dunne and Nicholas Wheeler, eds., Human Rights in Global Politics (Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 1999), ISBN 0-521-64643-X (pbk) (D&W) [3]

E Peter Singer, One World: The Ethics of Globalization (Cambridge University Press, 2002), ISBN (pbk) (256 pp) (S) [3]

Next time: Add Kant’s Perpetual Peace, on line at http://oll.libertyfund.org/Texts/Kant0142/PrinciplesOfPolitics/HTMLs/0056_Pt05_Peace.html#hd_lf056.head.021

Electronic

Computer access to Blackboard and ability to download on-line readings

On-line readings and websites specified in the Schedule below

Videos

Life and Debt, VHS 7102

"Global Capitalism and the Moral Imperative," VHS 5355 (29 min.)

"Global village or global pillage?," VHS 6644 (26 min

Global Trade Debate, VHS 6897 (41 min.)

"Free Trade Slaves," VHS 6945 (58 min.)

"Sweating for a Tee Shirt," VHS 5865 (23 mins), or "Made in Thailand," VHS 7125 (33 min.)

Global Security, GM UA23.G56 (58 min.)

Criteria for Evaluating Student Performance:

Final grades will be based on the following percentages:

Class Attendance and Participation 10%

Weekly Comments (10): 50%

Exposition 10%

Final Project Paper and Presentation 30%

1. Attendance and Participation: Regular attendance and participation are integral to performing well in this course. Students are required to read assignments before the date for which they are first listed on the Course Schedule (with the exception of readings handed out that day of class), to bring the relevant readings to class along with completed homework assigned, if any, and to be prepared to discuss the material assigned. Students are responsible for material covered or changes in assignments announced when they are absent.

More than 2 unexcused absences or instances of significant lateness in attending class constitute grounds for reduction in grade, and in some cases failure of the course. With rare exceptions, excused absences will be granted only if:

1. you have a bona fide reason for not being able to attend the full class (e.g., illness, family emergency),

2. you notify the instructor before class and explain the reason that you will be unable to attend class.

Students will be required to have reliable internet access, and should make sure they have established a working account by the end of the first week of the semester and register for the class on the Blackboard class website.

Students will be as responsible for material assigned from the Web as for that in the textbook and lectures, and are advised to download and/or print out any reading assignments from the Web.

2. Weekly Comments: For 10 weeks of the semester (which will be almost every week except when you are giving your exposition or final paper presentation, described below), you are responsible for completing a comment on the class website on Blackboard (approximately 1 typed page) based on the assigned readings. Unless specified otherwise, these comments are due by 12 pm on the Wednesday evening before class. The purpose of the comments is to demonstrate your familiarity with and ability to analyze and assess the assigned readings for that week, as well as to articulate your own views about the topic, and raise any questions or problems you may have about them.

In certain weeks, the instructor will assign specific questions. In others, you will be free to choose your topic. Your comments will be evaluated on the basis of how well they reflect that your familiarity with and thoughtful consideration of the substance of the reading. Feel free to post a response to a classmate's comment--although these will not be formally graded, they will be taken into account as informal extra-credit that will factor into your final grade.

3. Exposition: This will be a presentation on the material for one class which you will sign up for during the first few weeks of the semester (preferably, in a team or small group). Your exposition should use creative methods for conveying the following:

--summarize the main points in the readings assigned for one class;

-- provide your own assessment of how convincing the authors' arguments are, including their strengths and weaknesses, and the reasonableness of assumptions made by the authors

--offer questions for class discussion.

You are encouraged but not required to draw on resources beyond those in the assigned readings, including video clips and internet resources, and to use AV and other resources in your presentation (e.g. powerpoint, video, audio, guest speakers, debate or panel discussion formats, etc.)

You will also prepare and distribute a one page handout of your main points and questions to each member of the class on the day of your presentation (longer than both sides of one sheet of paper will be penalized for failing to conform to the assignment!).

4. Class Presentation and Paper on Final Project:

A. Presentation: This will be a short (10-15 minute) presentation to the class which you will sign up for during the first few weeks of the semester and which you will present during the last few weeks of the semester before your final paper is due.

During the first few weeks of the semester, you will choose a contemporary issue of global ethics to research over the course of the semester. A preliminary proposal for your final project/paper containing a specific thesis, 1-2 paragraphs of description, and 5-6 references, is due on Week 4. A full outline of your argument, along with a preliminary bibliography (containing at least 10-12 sources with brief annotations) is due Week 8 (before spring break).

Your presentation should:

--Summarize your topic thesis and the main points of your argument

--Summarize the sources you have researched for your project

--offer issues and/or questions for class discussion.

B. Final Project Paper: At the end of the semester, you will turn in a research paper of approximately 15 pages in length on your final project topic. Your paper should include a clear statement of your thesis in the introduction, the logical development of your argument in the body, and a summary and conclusions section at the end. Your paper must also include full citations to all references used (either short form or footnote or endnotes) and a bibliography at the end which contains full citations to all references consulted in connection with your paper. The bibliography should contain at least 10 references outside of assigned readings.

Standards for Performance Evaluation: Evaluation of a student's performance in this course as a whole will be guided by the following criteria:

A: demonstration of superior work (written and oral) in fulfillment of course requirements; improvement during the semester will be weighted in evaluation.

B: very good work (written and oral) in fulfillment of course requirements; improvement during the semester will be weighed in evaluation.

C: satisfactory work (written and oral) in fulfillment of course requirements.

D: assigned work is not satisfactory or not completed and/or student fails to meet minimum attendance requirements and/or student fails to seek out additional help from instructor and/or writing lab, learning services, etc., as needed.

F: failure to meet minimum course goals -- written assignments, class participation, and other course requirements; and/or students fails to see out additional help from instructor and/or writing lab, learning services, English Language Institute, etc., as needed.

Written Assignments: Students are responsible for handing in a hard copy of all assignments except weekly comments posted on Blackboard, and for retaining a copy (photocopy or computer disk) of all assignments you turn in. In case the paper is misplaced or otherwise disappears or there is a question about your grade, your copy will document that you completed the assignment.

Late Assignments: Unless other arrangements have been agreed to by the instructor prior to the date an assignment is due, it will be penalized up to one half letter grade (e.g. A- to B+) for each 48 hour period that elapses between the due date and the time that the assignment is handed in. Make-ups for missed examinations will only be permitted for exigent circumstances, such as a bona fide medical reason, a death in the family, etc.

Incomplete Policy: An incomplete will be given as a final grade only in exceptional circumstances, as determined by the instructor. If you foresee problems in completing all course requirements on time, see the instructor as soon as possible to discuss ways of handling your difficulties.

Academic Integrity: Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University's Academic Integrity Code. By registering, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic Integrity Code, and you are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary actions will be taken should such violations occur. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code, especially but not limited to plagiarism, will be referred to the Dean's Office for prosecution. In addition, if you plagiarize, your assignment will receive an automatic F. Please read the "Statement on Plagiarism" at the end of this syllabus, and see the instructor before turning in any assignment if you have any questions about how to avoid plagiarism.

COURSE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Note: Assignments as listed below are subject to revision. Readings preceded by "O" designate materials available on the internet.

UNIT I: OVERVIEW OF GLOBALIZATION AND ETHICS

Week 1 (1/13)--Introduction to the Course

--Global Approaches to Ethics (handout)

Week 2: (1/20) Inauguration Day -- no class

Chua, part I

Week 3 (1/27) Conceptual Framework

Chua, part II

Week 4 (2/3) Conceptual Framework, Part II

Chua, part III

Conceptual Note for Final Paper due

UNIT II: GLOBAL GOVERNANCE, CITIZENSHIP, AND JUSTICE

This unit of the course will explore questions such as the following:

--Are we currently witnessing a transition from an international society to global governance?

--What are the ethical grounds for challenging the dominance of the nation state as primary actor in the global order?

--Are nation states becoming obsolete as multinational corporations and international bodies are becoming more powerful players in setting the agenda for “the new world order”?

--Will international organizations create a new international society, similar to the state system, or will they lead to the creation of a global state?

--What are the moral foundations of different international systems? (democracy; militarism; UN system; supranationalism)

Week 5 (2/10) What is Global Justice? Theoretical Perspectives

(P) Ch. 8, Beitz, "Does Global Inequality Matter?" (106-22); Ch. 10, Gosepath, "The Global Scope of Justice" (145-68); (G) Part 1 (pp. 1-76)

Week 6 (2/17): International Governance

(R) Law of Peoples (127)

(O) UN Web Site, www.un.org

--Basic facts about the UN: http://www.un.org/aboutun/basicfacts/

--How the UN Works: http://www.un.org/Overview/brief1.html

Week 7 (2/24): Global Governance

(G) Part II (pp. 77-158); (S) Chapter 5 “Community” (pp. 150-95)

Week 8 (3/3) Sovereignty, Intervention, and Militarism

This weeks’s readings will examine the following questions:

--What are the ethical problems with increasing militarization of societies around the world?

--Should the role of militaries (in particular, the U.S. military) shift from roles primarily as security and defense to peacekeeping?

--To what extent can the new global government system provide security?

--When states violate the human rights of those within their own border, should the international community intervene?

--If so, which military forces will be charged with that task? (E.g., should the UN have its own military force?)

--Should the EU? If so, what will the shape of those forces be, and who will decide when they should be used?)

Readings: (P) Zanetti, "Global Justice: Is Interventionism Desirable?" (204-218); Doyle, "The New Interventionism" (219-41); (D & W) Hurrell, "Power, Principles, and Prudence: Protecting Human Rights in a Deeply Divided World" (277-302); Falk, "The Challenge of Genocide and Genocidal Politics in an Era of Globalisation" (177-94) Rawls, LOP, pp. 89-1113; Singer, Ch. 4 “One Law” [198]

Due: Outline of final paper/project and preliminary bibliography

Week 9 (3/10) SPRING BREAK!!

Week 10 (3/17) Global Civil Society?

Here, the focus will be on such issues as:

--Can individuals simultaneously owe loyalties to ethnic communities, regional organizations, and transnational groups?

--What are the resources for morally appropriate responses to the ethnic and religious rivalries that have disrupted civil societies and governments in recent years, and for avoiding such outbreaks of violence in the future?

--What kind of representation can and should individuals have in newly powerful supranational institutions?

--To what extent are new forms of global governance democratic?

Readings: (P) Zanetti, "Global Justice: Is Interventionism Desirable?" (204-218); Doyle, "The New Interventionism" (219-41); (D & W); Falk, "The Challenge of Genocide and Genocidal Politics in an Era of Globalisation" (177-94), (S) Chapter 4 “Law” (pp. 106-149), Rawls, LOP, ppp. 89-113.

Week 9 (3/10) SPRING BREAK!!

Week 10 (3/17) Global Civil Society?

Here, the focus will be on such issues as:

--Can individuals simultaneously owe loyalties to ethnic communities, regional organizations, and transnational groups?

--What kind of representation can and should individuals have in newly powerful supranational institutions?

--To what extent are new forms of global governance democratic?

(P) Ch. 9, Caney, "Cosmopolitan Justice and Equalizing Opportunities" (123-44); Ch. 11, Forst, "Towards a Critical Theory of Transnational Justice" (169-87); Ch. 12, O'Neill, "Agents of Justice" (188-203); (D & W): Kaldor, "Transnational Civil Society" (195-213); Shaw, "Global Voices: Civil Society and the Media in Global Crises" (214-32)

UNIT III: HUMAN RIGHTS (refugees; post 9/11 immigration restrictions)

Week 11 (3/24) Conceptual Issues in Global Human Rights

(D & W) Introduction (pp. 1-28); Donnelly, "The Social Construction of International Human Rights" (71-102); Brown, "Universal Human Rights: A Critique" (103-127); Midgley, "Towards an Ethic of Global Responsibility" (160-74)

Week 12 (3/31) Human Rights

(G) part III (pp. 159-218); (D&W) Parekh, "Non-Ethnocentric Universalism" (128-159)

Week 13 (4/7) Human Rights

(D & W) Loescher, “Refugees” (pp. 233-258); Ashworth, “Women” (pp. 259-276); Hurrell, "Power, Principles, and Prudence" (277-302); Booth & Dunne, “Learning Beyond Frontiers” (pp. 303-328).

Final Paper Presentations

UNIT IV GLOBAL ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE

(World Bank, IMF; MNCs and social responsibility)

Week 14 (4/14) Theoretical Perspectives

(P) Chapter 3 Bittner, “Morality and World Hunger” (24-31); Ch. 5, Hinsch, "Global Distributive Justice;" (55-76); Wenar, "Contractualism and Global Economic Justice" (76-90); Chauvier, "Justice and Nakedness" (91-105); Singer, Chapter 3 (pp. 51-105), Rawls, LOP, pp. 113-120.

Final Paper Presentations, continued

UNIT V: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE and the FUTURE

The final unit of the course will address questions like the following:

--What are the moral obligations of the international community to foster a form of economic development that respects the environment, and how do these obligations differ from those of individual nation‑states?

--How do we reconcile the needs for growth and sustainable development?

--Who does and should regulate activities that cause environmental degradation, and who does and should guides the economic and political forces that must be brought to bear to provide economic opportunities for all?

Week 15 (4/21)

(S) Chapter 2 (pp.14-50); Chapter 6 196-203; (G) Part IV (pp. 219-64); O--Review the following websites: --"Citizens Guide to the World Commission on Dams," http://www.irn.org/wcd/wcdguide.pdf

--Sustainable Energy and Economy Network, www.seen.org

--Friends of the Earth International, www.foei.org

Final Paper Presentations, continued

FINAL EXAM Date (4/28) FINAL PAPERS DUE – we will use this period to complete class business if necessary.

Issues:

(14 weeks)

Gould

Part I – Theoretical Considerations pp. 1-76 (76)

Ch’s 1-3

Part II Democracy and rights, pp. 77 – 158 (81)

Ch’s 3-6

Part III: Globalizing Democracy in a Human Rights Framework, pp. 159-218 (77)

Ch’s 7-9

Part IV: Current Applications, pp. 219-264 (pp. 45)

Chs. 10-12