War in World Politics
Full course description
Why do nations and states go to war? This course will endeavor to give some answers to this question. To do that, the course will be divided into three sections that mirror the above objectives. The first section will focus on the different types of conflict. In this section, the ethics of war will also be discussed: do “Just Wars” exist? Section two will concentrate on the causes of conflict. It will reflect on a variety of sources that emerge from such domains as the global system, the states themselves or individuals. Part three will examine as case studies a number of modern conflicts, such as World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the breakup of Yugoslavia, the War between India and Pakistan, the Arab- Israeli conflict and Saddam Hussein’s Wars against Iran and Kuwait.
Course objectives
- To understand international conflict.
- To examine different types of conflict and their various causes in the world.
- To examine as case studies different conflicts throughout history.
Prerequisites
SSC2002 International Relations or SSC1025 Introduction to Political Science and at least one 2000-level Social Sciences course.
Recommended reading
- Levy, J. S. and W. R. Thompson. (2010). Causes of War. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Stoessinger, J. G. (2011). Why Nations Go to War. 11th Edition. Thomson, Wadsworth.
- E-reader.