Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12868:[2025 Fall]IR18‐DE202 Global Studies Seminar (RB) 2025 Fall Thu1 College　Of　International　Relations HATERUMA SHINO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS202

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by September 20. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.

【Course Overview】
This course is designed to explore the ethical dimensions of war and armed conflict through a close reading of Michael Walzer’s Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations. The book provides a foundational framework for understanding the moral arguments surrounding war, including the principles of jus ad bellum (justice of war) and jus in bello (justice in war). The course emphasizes not only understanding Walzer’s perspectives but also encouraging students to form and articulate their own reasoned arguments about the ethics of war.

【Course Style】
This course consists of lectures, students' group presentations, and discussions.
- Students will be required to deliver a presentation on their assigned section using PowerPoint slides. The presentation should provide an analysis with your reflections, rather than merely summarizing the content.
- PowerPoint slides must be uploaded to manaba+R in advance.
- Presenters are expected to lead a discussion session in which all participants actively engage. To facilitate this, all students are expected to thoroughly read the relevant parts of the book each week.
- In every class, students are strongly encouraged to participate in discussions by, for example, answering questions posed by the presenters or lecturer, asking relevant questions, and offering comments.
- Group members and assigned sections will initially be determined based on student preferences collected through a survey on manaba+R. The lecturer will make the final decision while considering these preferences.
- Evaluation will be based on the presentation and discussion, with consideration given to performance, content, and overall quality.

Student Attainment Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Deepen their understanding of the ethical debates concerning the justification and conduct of war.
- Analyze historical and contemporary cases of war through the lens of Walzer’s moral framework.
- Develop the ability to summarize academic texts and present arguments with accuracy and clarity.
- Cultivate skills for engaging in thoughtful and informed academic discussions.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
+R-Jugyo

Orientation

Explanation of how the class will proceed

1 (in person)

Lecture & Discussion

Part One: The Moral Reality of War
1. Against "Realism"

2 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part One: The Moral Reality of War
2. The Crime of War
3. The Rules of War

3 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Two: The Theory of Aggression
4. Law and Order in International Society

4 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Two: The Theory of Aggression
5. Anticipations
6. Interventions

5 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Two: The Theory of Aggression
7. War's Ends, and the Importance of Winning

6 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Three: The War Convention
8. War's Means and the Importance of Fighting Well
9. Noncombatant Immunity and Military Necessity

7 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Three: The War Convention
10. War Against Civilians: Sieges and Blockades
11. Guerrilla War

8 (in person)

Discussion

Read and discuss papers on current wars

9 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Three: The War Convention
12. Terrorism
13. Reprisals

10 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Four: Dilemmas of War
14. Winning and Fighting Well
15. Aggression and Neutrality

11 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Four: Dilemmas of War
16. Supreme Emergency
17 Nuclear Deterrence

12 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Four: Dilemmas of War
18. The Crime of Aggression: Political Leaders and Citizens

13 (in person)

Student Presentation and Discussion

Part Four: Dilemmas of War
19. War Crimes: Soldiers and Their Officers

14 (in person)

Discussion

Read and discuss papers on current wars

Class Format

This course will primarily be conducted in person. If there are any sudden changes to the planned course format, students will be notified in advance through the course announcements on Manaba or during class.

※【For students who are allowed to take online courses】
Special consideration is given to students who cannot attend face-to-face classes for COVID-19-related reasons. For them, the class will be delivered via Zoom.

Recommendations for Private Study

Students are expected to complete the assigned readings each week and contribute to class discussions by:
i) formulating relevant questions, and
ii) preparing to share their perspectives on the material discussed.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Class Participation: 10%
Presentation: 50%
Discussion: 40%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

More than 6 absences will result in a failing grade (F). Tardiness is considered tardy if it occurs within 30 minutes of the start of class; after that, it is considered an absence. 3 tardies will count as 1 absence.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations Michael Walzer Basic Books 0465052711 paperback

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Required in every class session

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/