Course Description

This course invites students to critically engage with the ethical dimensions of contemporary
international affairs, emphasizing the intersection of theory and practice. Using real-world examples,
it explores the moral foundations and dilemmas that influence global decision-making in a complex,
interconnected and fragmented world.

The course is structured into three parts:
The first part introduces key concepts in moral and political philosophy as a foundation for
understanding ethics. It then examines how ethical reasoning operates in international contexts shaped
by power imbalances, cultural diversity, and institutional complexity. Students consider how ethical
concerns intersect with legal, political, and strategic dynamics in global governance.

The second part applies these ideas to pressing global issues. Through case studies, students analyze
moral dilemmas related to military intervention, human rights, global economic policy, environmental
challenges, and emerging technologies. These cases highlight tensions between ethical ideals and realworld
constraints.

The final part looks ahead, considering how technological innovation, geopolitical shifts, and economic
transformations are reshaping the ethical landscape. Students reflect on how to ethically navigate and
influence the future of international affairs.

By the end of the course, students will be equipped to assess global issues from an ethically informed
and critically engaged perspective.