Philosophy of Peace (Philo. 224)

Philosophy Division
ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Jacinto St., Davao City







PHILOSOPHY 224
PHILOSOPHY OF PEACE












JOSE MA. “NONOY” YBANEZ TOMACRUZ
First Semester
AY 2005-2006






PHILOSOPHY DIVISION
ADDU-SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

PHILOSOPHY 224
Philosophy of Peace

Instructor : Asst. Prof. Jose Ma. “Nonoy” Ybanez Tomacruz
Class Hours : MWF-Sched. – 8:45-9:45; 11:05-12:05; 12:25-1:25; 2:35-3:35
TTh-Sched. - 11:00-12:30; 1:00-2:30; 2:30-4:05;
Consultation : MWF-Sched. - 10:00-11:00; 3:40-5:00;
TTh-Sched. - 8:50-11:00; 4:05-5:00
(For any emergency, please do feel free to come outside the aforementioned hours)
E-mail Addresses : tomacruz@addu.edu.ph

________________________________________________________________________

COURSE SYLLABUS

Units : 3
Sem./AY : 1st Semester, 2004-2005
Grading Periods : 3
General
Description : This is an elective course which is a part of the program of students who are pursuing either the Major or Minor in Philosophy. Here will be taken up varying philosophical perspectives or views regarding human society in terms of war, violence, non-violence, peace.
Course Objectives : The course seeks to instill on the students:
a. a deeper understanding:
Ø of the different notions and views of war, violence, non-violence, peace;
Ø of the workings and trappings of politics and society now and of the contemporary times;
Ø of the contemporary issues like terrorism, war, secessionism, peace advocacy and peace movements;
b. a better perspective of the present world they live in;
c. a deeper insight into themselves as members of this microcosmic and global community, and into the other human beings and the other denizens of this world;




Values Sought : The course seeks to develop and instill on the students, the values, among others, of:
intellectual curiosity;
intellectual and moral honesty;
love for hard work;
mental toughness and robustness;
self-confidence;
that sense of awareness that issues that affect our lives are more than what they seem to be ;
widening of personal horizons;
capacity for deeper analysis and discernment re things happening around us which even at times are bigger than us;
respect for every person and his/her view/s;
punctuality and time-consciousness;
logical and sensical thinking;
appreciation for each one’s capacity for creativity;
to be able to have a clear notion of violence/war and non-violence/peace;
conviction and commitment for non-violence, peace, justice in the midst of a world which seem to be in a never-ending flux.

List of References :
1. “ Violence, Peace, and Peace Research”, Johan Galtung;
2. “Vision of a Non-violent Society: What should be Society’s Aims?”, Ralph Summy;
3. “The Gulf Conflict: What Kind of Conflict, What was it About?”, Johan Galtung;
4. “War and Peace in European Consciousness: Images of past Conflict in Forging a Transnational Identity,” Nigel Young;
5. “A Common Security Policy for the Pacific,” D.J. Craig;
6. “Conflict Mitigation in Former Yugoslavia,” Jan Oberg;
7. “Breaking Deadlocks: Peace-making Opportunities for Australia, in East Timor, West Papua & papua New Guinea,” Peter King;
8. “A Regional Strategy: From Strategic Deterrence to Problem-Solving,” John Burton;
9. “Abrahamic Minorities & Committed Groups: Nonviolent Intervention in International Conflict,” Michael Salla;
10. “Nonviolence and the Case of the Extremely Ruthless Opponent,” Ralph Summy;
11. “Confidence-Building Defence as a Universal Principle,” Lutz Unterseher;
12. “Towards a Federal World State?”, Keith Suter;
13. “Creating Spaces for Peace: A Comparative Overview of the Zones of Peace,” Majid Tehranian;
14. “Towards a Global Educative Authority,”;
15. “The Seville Statement on Violence”.

Suggested Supplementary Readings:
1.“The Proximity of the Other”, Emmanuel Levinas;
2.“Freedom and War”, Janine Chanteur;
3.“Violence of the Face”, Emmanuel Levinas;
4.“Dialogue on Thinking-of-the-Other”, Emmanuel Levinas;
5.“Philosophy, Justice, and Love”, Emmanuel Levinas;
6.On Violence, Hannah Arendt;
7.“On Death”, Emmanuel Levinas (Time and the Other);
8.“The Philosopher and Death”, Emmanuel Levinas (Interviews)”;

Web-based References:
http://www.nakayama.org/polylogos/philosophers/levinas/levinas-e.html
http://www.mkgandhi.org/
http://www.ourindia.com/gandhi.htm
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/taoism/suntext.htm

Course Requirements:
3” x 5” index card;
Large size note filler (close-gapped);
1 x 1 photo;
Faithfulness in class attendance;
Productive and creative participation in class activities;
Recitations;
Written Works;
Quizzes other than items f and g;
Periodical Examinations.











Course Outline

I. FIRST GRADING PERIOD
Introduction
1. Prima Non Datur
2. Students’ Expectations
3. Class Principles and Guidelines

II. WAR: THE HUMAN REALITY
Periodical References:
“War, the World Order, God’s Order,” Janine Chanteur;
“Desire and War,” Janine Chanteur;
“Nature, Destiny, and War,” Janine Chanteur;
Film Viewings:
a. The Godfather;
b. Caligula;
c. Troy;
d. The Last Samurai
First Grading Examination Days

III. 2nd Grading Period
PEACE: A NEVER-ENDING ASPIRATION
Periodical References for HOSTS:
“Conjecture on Natural Peace,” Janine Chanteur;
“Original Peace and Civil Peace,” Janine Chanteur;
“Perpetual Peace,” Janine Chanteur;
Film Viewing: Gandhi;
Second Grading Examination Days

IV. 3rd Grading Period
WAR, PEACE, WHO KNOWS?
Individual Sessional Readings *(Sequence of Reading will not necessarily be as below. It will be based on the drawing of lots for Readers):
1. “ Violence, Peace, and Peace Research”, Johan Galtung;
2. “Vision of a Non-violent Society: What should be Society’s Aims?”, Ralph Summy;
3. “The Gulf Conflict: What Kind of Conflict, What was it About?”, Johan Galtung;
4. “War and Peace in European Consciousness: Images of past Conflict in Forging a Transnational Identity,” Nigel Young;
5. “A Common Security Policy for the Pacific,” D.J. Craig;
6. “Conflict Mitigation in Former Yugoslavia,” Jan Oberg;
7. “Breaking Deadlocks: Peace-making Opportunities for Australia, in East Timor, West Papua & papua New Guinea,” Peter King;
8. “A Regional Strategy: From Strategic Deterrence to Problem-Solving,” John Burton;
9. “Abrahamic Minorities & Committed Groups: Nonviolent Intervention in International Conflict,” Michael Salla;
10. “Nonviolence and the Case of the Extremely Ruthless Opponent,” Ralph Summy;
11. “Confidence-Building Defence as a Universal Principle,” Lutz Unterseher;
12. “Towards a Federal World State?”, Keith Suter;
13. “Creating Spaces for Peace: A Comparative Overview of the Zones of Peace,” Majid Tehranian;
14. “Towards a Global Educative Authority,”;
15. “The Seville Statement on Violence”.

Deadline of Third Grading Examination Paper (Based on Schedule of Final Exam Day of the Philosophy Division)




























CLASS PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES
(Jose Ma. Ybanez Tomacruz)
1) Attendance is religiously checked. Attendance is checked immediately after the class’ opening prayer. Attending classes is but basic justice to whoever is spending for the student’s education. It is the duty of the student to check his/her attendance status inasmuch as it is the student who should primarily be responsible in attending his/her class.
2) Punctuality is given utmost premium whether it be in matters of attendance, or class activities, or any class requirement. Every student will always be given ample time to meet any requirement in class. Thus, any requirement submitted late will be accepted by the Teacher, but will however already get a failing mark.
3) Grading System:
3.1. Components of Grade per Grading Period:
WW - 30%
R - 30%
ME - 40%
a. Written Work (30%) - Anything put on paper with the exception of the Major Exam. This would require students to use either a Cattleya-type filler or a test booklet-type notebook. Students could be made to write either reflection essays, or questions, or answers to questions posed by the teacher, etc. All these could either be done inside the classroom or could be made as home works. Every student should come to class always with the mindset that written work is to be done every meeting;
b. Recitation (30%) - Could either be in the midst of the class either through answering questions, or making questions, or sharing significant thoughts on matters taken up during any given class, or a one-on-one with the Instructor. Every student should come to class always with the mindset that there will be a graded recitation every meeting. Perfect score in a recitation is ten (10) points, passing score is six (6), lowest is zero (0). However, one is also qualified to garner bonus points depending on the quality either of one’s answer/s or question/s in class;
c. Major Exam (40%) - Would only cover all the topics taken up during the grading period.
3.2. Components of the Subject’s Final Mark:
1st Grading + 2nd Grading + 3rd Grading = Final Mark
3
3.3. Highest Grade given in a Grading Period or Final Mark: as High as officially acceptable;
3.4. Lowest Grade given in a Grading period or Final Mark: as low as officially acceptable;
3.5. Grades and their Qualitative Interpretation:
a. 96-100 - Superior;
b. 93-95 - Excellent;
c. 90-92 - Very Good;
d. 87-89 - Good;
e. 84-86 - Satisfactory;
f. 80-83 - Fair;
g. 75-79 - Passed;
h. Below 75 - Failed.
4) It is the right of every student to make complaints, to question, to make queries regarding one’s grade or any matters pertaining to his/her subject. The Instructor in fact strongly encourages every student to exercise such right. The Instructor will be more than willing to show any student every detail of one’s grade. However, such right does not include rudeness, foul language, disrespect and other pejorative attitudes. In addition, the said complaints, questions, queries should be made within a prescribed period, otherwise, they will not be given official consideration anymore.
5) No amount of bribery, threat, seduction, and the like, will move the Teacher to change a properly and correctly computed Grade. Personally, the Teacher would want all his students to get passing grades. However, justice and righteousness dictate that one should only get what one deserves. Undoubtedly, the teacher will be guided by the call of cura personalis. However, this does not mean that the demands of justice and fairness will be compromised.
6) No surprise quizzes or recitations are given in class. By this, we mean, that everyone is expected to come to class always prepared, ergo, one shouldn’t be surprised if the Mentor gives a quiz or a recitation without prior announcement. The reason for this provision is not mere whim, but that it has been the Teacher’s observation through the years that such provision always finds students really participative and receptive in class.
7) Passing grade is ABSOLUTELY 75. And it is 75, not 74.999999999999n.
8) CHEATING will never be tolerated in class!!! CHEATING will be dealt with relentlessly and resolutely!!! CHEATING will be dealt with to the fullest force and extent of the law!!! This is not a threat. This a truth!!!
9) The Teacher humbly accepts the fact that he does not know everything. However, rest assured that things he knows and should know, he knows quite well.
10) As a matter of basic respect, one should listen to anybody who is called to speak in class.
11) Everyone is strongly encouraged to make questions, and to actively and effectively participate in class.
12) Medium of instruction is basically English. However, for the sake of the students’ better comprehension and expression , the Teacher would be willing to include Filipino-Tagalog, Cebuano-Bisaya, Ilonggo-Hiligaynon, Ilonggo Kinaray-a (the Teacher is fluent in the said languages) as acceptable linguistic forms of expression by both students and the Teacher. The Teacher deems that what is paramount in Philosophy is the effective expression and understanding of ideas, and such can be done even outside the parameters of the English language. However corrupted mixing-up of the said languages will not be allowed, i.e., one is required to at least finish one complete sentence in only one of the above languages before one shifts to another language orally, and should use only one language totally for any written requirement.
13) Every student is greatly encouraged to see the Teacher for Consultation.
14) Anyone who makes offense, including the Teacher, is expected to have the humility to apologize, learn from the said mistake, and make the necessary amends. Let everyone however note that there is a distinction between humility and being humiliated.
15) The Teacher if possible, would want the class to also be fun. However, he always keeps in mind that his primary purpose for being in the classroom is to facilitate and ensure learning. Students who want to be mainly entertained in class are advised to go somewhere else lest they be disappointed.
16) It is usually ideal to be both right and be well-liked. However, if the situation is such that one cannot be both, the Teacher, against all odds, will choose to simply be right.
17) Sleeping is allowed in class, provided:
a. one does not snore;
b. one does not make any untoward noise (e.g., moans, shrieks, etc.) when one has nightmares;
c. one is able to give the right answer to any question addressed to him/her.
18) Just in case any student finds the requirements of the subject daunting, let him/her be conscious of the fact that this is not so, simply out of the Teacher’s caprice. In fact, the said requirements are so demanded because the Teacher has so much respect for the capacity of his students to meet the subject’s demands. The Teacher personally believes in the capacity for excellence, hardwork, competence of the Ateneo De Davao University Student.










Tips for Reading a Philosophical Paper/Article
(Jose Ma. Y. Tomacruz)

1. Forget that only weirdos, dorks, geeks, twerps read philosophy. Besides, not all of them read philosophy.

2. Come to accept the fact that philosophy is not a walk in the park, but neither is it mission impossible, nor mission improbable.

3. If at first reading, you don’t understand anything, don’t think that you’re the most stupid person in the world. You will be, if you immediately quit. Every philosopher, both the known and unknown surely have moments of ignorance, whether they accept it or not. Yet, Socrates himself said, “The first step towards real knowledge is to come to know and accept that at times you are ignorant.”

4. Based on experience, about 30-40 percent of questions regarding articles or readings are simple matters of better vocabulary. So, always have with you a good dictionary when you are reading philosophy. Everyone needs a dictionary in philosophy, sooner or later.

5. It is good that you either list, take note of, or highlight key words or terms in every paragraph that you read. Eventually, it would further help if you make your own outline of the article or reading.

6. Reading and striving to answer review or guide questions found in your articles will really help.

7. It is good to get to discuss the things that you read, and things you think you have understood, with other people. In this way, you will either have a wider perspective, or your errors can also be checked.

8. Read. Read. Read................................................................................

9. If you already get the hang of it, stop relying on secondary sources. Primary sources are still the best sources of ideas of any author. The original of the “Mona Lisa” will always be much much much better than its best photocopy in the world.

10. Philosophy is actually fun. However, it can only be so if you know how to enjoy it.



Guidelines for the Third Grading Papers in Philosophy of Peace
(Philosophy 224)
(Jose Ma. Y. Tomacruz)

1.Every paper is an analysis/critique. The different matters/topics found in the articles assigned as readings (REFERENCESS 1-15) for the Third Grading period at the beginning of the semester will be the perspective from which the said analysis/critique will be based. References will be chosen by students on first-come-first-served basis;
2. Deadline of the submission of paper to be read for the Third Grading Period is the last day of the scheduled Second Grading Exam days;
3. Each student will be left to decide as to what the title of his/her paper will be ;
4. Every paper will be read and discussed in class during the Third Grading Period. Sequence of paper reading will be drawn by lots;
5. The said paper will have the following parameters:
Ø Typewritten (pica print)/computer-printed (only the font 12 of Times New Roman);
Ø on short coupon bond;
Ø should not be more than 5 pages but not less than 3 pages (going below/beyond either the minimum or maximum number of pages will merit one an automatic ZERO for the paper);
Ø double-spaced;
Ø proper mechanics in writing formal papers should be strictly observed;
Ø the paper is to be composed of:
§ the cover page;
§ table of contents;
§ the analysis proper;
§ bibliography. Those pages which are not part of the “analysis proper” are not included in the counting of “minimum and maximum number of pages” of the paper;
Ø should be in English;
6. The improved and final paper of the respective read paper during the Third Grading period will become the Final Exam of the student.
7. Deadline of the said paper will be 5:00pm (Philosophy Division Time) of the scheduled Final Examination day for the Philosophy Division. The said paper should be submitted to the Philosophy Division office. Any paper submitted late (for any reason whatsoever) may still be received by the teacher. However, inasmuch that it is submitted LATE, ergo, it would still be marked ZERO=50% ;
8. Margins should be 1x1x1x1 inch (top, bottom, left, right respectively). In case margins are affected due to footnoting, indentions, etc., proper adjustment should be made so as not to violate the “minimum/maximum” rule for number of pages;
9. No duplication of title and contents among students will be allowed for the papers. Each paper should be an original and unique work of the student-writer;
10. The criteria for evaluating every paper read are substance, clarity of thought, insightfulness, being direct to the point, conciseness, logicality.