NAVAL SCIENCE  (NS 24)

Asymmetric Armed Conflict: 

Ethics of Guerilla Warfare and Terrorism

University of California, Berkeley Spring 2006

1. Instructor:  CAPT David L. Buckey, Professor of Naval Science, 152 Hearst Gymnasium,
Phone:  (510) 642-3552  Email: dbuckey@berkeley.edu

2. Course Information:   Monday, Wednesday 1:00-2:00, Jan 19–Mar 14, Room 155 Hearst Gymnasium

3. Objectives:  Guerilla warfare and terrorism, asymmetric conflict, have been a part of human interaction throughout recorded history.  Over the past few decades, transnational terrorist movements have originated that have changed the essential nature of war. This seminar will examine the legitimacy of war from conventional state versus state conflicts through guerilla wars and national liberation movements to acts of terrorism.  We will trace the origins and review the practices of guerilla warfare and terrorism and examine the roles of combatants, non-combatants and civilian populations.  We will attempt to understand the differences between a freedom fighter and a terrorist.  By focusing on the theoretical and practical aspects of asymmetric conflict, we will analyze the ethical considerations intrinsic to unconventional warfare.

4.  Grading:  For students taking the seminar for a grade; your efforts on the paper, as well as the quality of your class participation, will be considered.  The paper will constitute 75 % of your grade.  For those opting to take the seminar P/N, similar criteria apply regarding the value of participation and assigned paper.

5. References:  a. Just and Unjust Wars; Michael Walzer, Basic Books 1977, 2000

                        b. The Origins of Terrorism; Edited by Walter Reich, John Hopkins, University Press, 1990, 1998

                        c. NS 24 Reader

6. Resources:  University libraries (including the internet), and your initiative and imagination.

7. Credit:  1 Semester Hour

8. Attendance:  Attendance is expected as this is a seminar and participation is vital to a vibrant exchange of ideas and information.

9. Office Hours:  By appointment, Monday through Wednesday preferred.

10. Class etiquette:  Be on time for class.  No eating, drinking or smoking in the classroom, in accordance with University policy.

11.  Assigned Paper:  Paper must be 6 - 10 typed, double-spaced pages in length.   Papers must be footnoted; any standard footnote format is acceptable.  A simple bibliography does not fulfill this requirement.  Inclusion of photographs, drawings, tables, and other illustrations is permissible (even encouraged), but “padding” an otherwise scant paper with illustrations in order to meet the minimum length requirement is not.  Your grade will be based on the quality of your research and how well you develop your topic, argument(s) and conclusion(s).  Spelling, grammar and punctuation count!   Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course, as well as other appropriate administrative action.