Last Updated: Fri, 01/02/2026
Course prefix:
INTA
Course number:
2030
Semester:
Spring
Academic year:
2026
Course description:

This course covers issues of moral values and ethical reasoning in international relations. It looks at the importance of international political morality in determining individual and collective conduct of foreign relations and examines the ethical nature of the rules, structures, and informal patterns of the international system. While the course emphasizes theoretical concepts and approaches, its main goal is to encourage ethical analysis by applying the concepts to specific global issues and problems. 

Course learning outcomes:

Students:

  1. should demonstrate the ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in real-world context
  2. should demonstrate the ability to assess actions or decisions based on established ethical principles and theories, or through deliberative processes.
  3. should demonstrate the ability to consider the implications of actions, both broadly (e.g. global, economic, environmental, or societal) and for individuals.
  4. should be able to analyze prominent ethical issues in international relations
  5. should become more aware of the diversity of cultural and ethical systems in the world.
Required course materials:

Amstutz, Mark, International Ethics (4th ed.).

Grading policy:

Course Requirements and Evaluation:

Quizzes  70% 0f course grade

Final Exam/Research Paper– 30% of course grade

Students have a choice to be evaluated according to one of the following two formats:

Format 1 (default)

  • Six closed-book quizzes                  70%
  • Final closed-book cumulative exam 30%

Format 2:

  • Six closed-book quizzes                  70% (10% each)
  • Research paper                                30%

Grading and Assessment

A = 89.5-100; B = 79.5-89.4; C = 69.5-79.4; D = 59.5-69.5; F = below 59.5

Late Paper Policy

Late submissions will receive 10 points deduction for each calendar day (this includes weekends) they are late. Please read carefully the deadlines included in the Syllabus, but most importantly, those stated in each week’s announcement (for potential adjustments).

Attendance policy:

Course is online asynchronous.

Academic honesty/integrity statement:

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.

AI Policy: AI tools are allowed ONLY for research but NOT for writing assistance. 

Core IMPACTS statement(s) (if applicable):

Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.   

This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question: 

·       How do I understand human experiences and connections?  

Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:

·       Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.  

Course content, activities, and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies: 

·       Intercultural Competence  

·       Perspective-Taking  

·       Persuasion  

Instructor First Name:
Eliza Maria
Instructor Last Name:
Markley
Section:
Online
CRN (you may add up to five):
31784
Department (you may add up to three):