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PL 125 The Ethics of War and Peace

Online Philosophy Course

A Simple Way to Learn About the Ethics of War

Do you want to deepen your understanding of the ethics of war and enrich your life?

Traditional approaches to studying philosophy are often inaccessible, requiring years of expensive college study or long, self-guided online courses that most people never finish. This can leave you feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, missing out on the profound insights philosophy offers for living a more meaningful and authentic life. With our microlearning course, The Ethics of War and Peace, you’ll master essential concepts quickly and effortlessly, empowering you to succeed in your philosophical exploration.

Microlearning is an innovative method of studying philosophy that can significantly enhance your success as a learner. Using the proven SMART goal framework, this approach helps you build knowledge step by manageable step, making philosophical concepts more approachable and easier to retain.

Course Overview

This course introduces students to key philosophical frameworks and ethical considerations surrounding war and peace. Delivered in a practical and engaging microlearning format, the course empowers learners to explore challenging topics with clarity and confidence. Through concise lessons and guided reflections, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of critical debates about the morality of war, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.

Course Audience

This introductory philosophy course is designed for a general audience with no prior background in philosophy needed.

Key Learning Objectives

  • Understand foundational concepts of Just War Theory and its ethical principles.
  • Analyze historical and modern examples using ethical frameworks.
  • Explore strategies for fostering peace and reconciliation in post-conflict situations.

Course Delivery

This 6-week course is structured in a microlearning format to fit seamlessly into your schedule. Each week, you’ll access a 5-10 minute video lesson followed by a reflective journaling prompt to enhance your understanding and apply what you’ve learned.

Course Description

Lessons

Lesson 1 Introduction to Just War Theory

Lesson 2 Jus ad Bellum – The Right to Wage War

Lesson 3 Jus in Bello – Ethics During Warfare

Lesson 4 Critiques and Limitations of Just War Theory

Lesson 5 Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Intervention

Lesson 6 Towards a Lasting Peace – Ethics Beyond War

Course Overview and Benefits

The Ethics of War and Peace course provides a streamlined yet in-depth exploration of the philosophical issues surrounding war and peace. Grounded in the principles of Just War Theory, this course equips students to critically examine the moral dimensions of initiating, conducting, and resolving conflicts.

Through six carefully crafted lessons, learners will engage with ethical debates from historical and contemporary perspectives. Topics include the justifications for going to war (jus ad bellum), the rules of conduct during war (jus in bello), and the challenges of post-war reconciliation and peacebuilding. By exploring these themes, students will develop analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of the impact of ethics on real-world conflicts.

The microlearning format makes this course accessible and manageable for modern learners. Each lesson is concise but impactful, presenting complex material in digestible segments. Weekly video lectures, paired with journaling assignments, encourage active reflection and application of concepts, fostering a deeper connection to the material.

Students will explore key concepts such as the Responsibility to Protect, the ethical challenges of humanitarian intervention, and the role of reconciliation in achieving lasting peace. The course also tackles the critiques of Just War Theory, analyzing its limitations in addressing contemporary forces like terrorism and advanced military technologies. This critical perspective allows students to assess alternative frameworks and broaden their understanding of ethical decision-making in war.

What sets this course apart is its focus on building knowledge incrementally. Rather than overwhelming learners with exhaustive material, it emphasizes clarity and steady progress, helping students retain information and apply it thoughtfully. This structure aligns with the research-backed benefits of microlearning, ensuring that learners stay motivated and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Our course suits a wide audience, from those curious about philosophy to individuals seeking practical insights into the ethics of war. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to deepen your understanding, The Ethics of War and Peace provides valuable intellectual tools for navigating one of humanity’s oldest and most complex challenges. By the end of the course, students will have a more comprehensive grasp of ethical theories and their application to both historic and current events, empowering them to think critically about the intersection of morality, conflict, and peace.

Enrolling in this course is more than just an academic endeavor—it’s an opportunity to enrich your worldview, refine your critical thinking skills, and contribute to discussions about creating a more just and peaceful world.