NEH Enduring Questions Course on "Is There Such a Thing as a Just War?"

FAIN: AQ-50184-10

Kean University (Union, NJ 07083-7133)
Christopher M. Bellitto (Project Director: September 2009 to September 2014)

The development of an undergraduate course that examines arguments in the Bhagavad Gita, Augustine, Aquinas, von Clausewitz, and the Geneva Conventions.

A new interdisciplinary course will be developed around the question, "Is there such a thing as a just war?" Students will read classical but conflicting theories, critique past events, and apply historical context to today's challenges.

Associated Products

https://sites.google.com/site/istheresuchathingasajustwar/ (Web Resource)
Title: https://sites.google.com/site/istheresuchathingasajustwar/
Author: Christopher Bellitto
Abstract: This website highlights resources and projects produced by students in two seminars, History of Just War, offered Spring terms 2011 and 2012.
Year: 2011
Primary URL: http://www.kean.edu/~justwar

“Chivalry and the Just War Tradition.” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “Chivalry and the Just War Tradition.”
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Abstract: This paper considers two points about teaching chivalry. First, chivalry is often taught essentially as a charming theory of behavior, but what happens when reality meets theory is explored far less. Second, though chivalry and just war tradition each played a major role in medieval society, they are often inexplicably separated. To address these points, this paper treats the pairing of chivalry and just war in the classroom context of medieval applications (ius in bello). The paper draws from my experiences teaching the standard medieval history survey, an upper-division crusades course, and a “History of Just War” seminar funded by my National Endowment for the Humanities Enduring Questions Pilot Course Grant (2010-2012) for the project, “Is there such a thing as a just war?” Case studies include student research projects on Richard I’s slaughter of Muslim prisoners at Acre, crusades events from Muslim and Christian perspectives, and Joan of Arc’s leadership. The paper also revisits my article, "Chivalry: A Door to Teaching the Middle Ages," The History Teacher 28 (1995), published before the post-9/11 perspective that, for better and worse, is the major prism through which students view these issues, often with a presentist or ahistorical lens.
Date: 06/12/2014
Conference Name: "Perspectives on Chivalry: Medieval to Modern," Rowan University, Glassboro NJ

“Is There Such a Thing as a Just War? Creating Campus Conversations.” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “Is There Such a Thing as a Just War? Creating Campus Conversations.”
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Abstract: This presentation was part of a panel sponsored by the NEH Enduring Questions Pilot Course grant.
Date: 01/05/2014
Conference Name: American Historical Association, Washington DC

“Teaching Just War: Lessons from an NEH Enduring Questions Pilot Course Grant,” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “Teaching Just War: Lessons from an NEH Enduring Questions Pilot Course Grant,”
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Abstract: A roundtable on teaching just war
Date: 06/01/2011
Conference Name: College Theology Society, Iona College, New Rochelle NY

“Teaching the Crusades: Religion, Violence, and Mythistory.” (Article)
Title: “Teaching the Crusades: Religion, Violence, and Mythistory.”
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Abstract: This article offers ideas on how a course on the Crusades (or a Crusades unit within a medieval or world civ survey) can involve the subject of religion and violence. Because there is so much misinformation and disinformation about the Crusades, we will consider throughout how taking the notion of mythistory head on can be an engaging, instructive experience for students It also suggests how a course could give more attention to Judaism, which might be overlooked, in addition to Islam and Christianity
Year: 2018
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching 25 (2018): 159-65
Publisher: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching

“Teaching the Crusades: Religion, Violence, and Mythistory.” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “Teaching the Crusades: Religion, Violence, and Mythistory.”
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Abstract: Classroom lessons on how a course on the Crusades (or a Crusades unit within a medieval or world civ survey) can involve the subject of religion and violence. Because there is so much misinformation and disinformation about the Crusades, we will consider throughout how taking the notion of mythistory head on can be an engaging, instructive experience for students It also suggests how a course could give more attention to Judaism, which might be overlooked, in addition to Islam and Christianity
Date: 10/01/2018
Conference Name: NJ Council for Social Studies, Rutgers University

Just War and Jihad: Ideas and Case Studies (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Just War and Jihad: Ideas and Case Studies
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Abstract: ideas and case studies
Date: 10/20/2014
Conference Name: Center for World War II Studies and Conflict Resolution, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft NJ

“War and Peace in the Late Middle Ages: A Reevaluation.” (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: “War and Peace in the Late Middle Ages: A Reevaluation.”
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Abstract: Program Co-Chair for Biennial Conference of the American Cusanus Society and the International Seminar on Pre-Reformation Theology, 9/29-10/1/2023
Date Range: 9/29-10/1/23
Location: United Lutheran Seminary, Gettsyburg PA

Engaging Islam in Cusanus, Juan de Segovia, and the Libellus to Leo X: A Comparison (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Engaging Islam in Cusanus, Juan de Segovia, and the Libellus to Leo X: A Comparison
Abstract: Engaging Islam in Cusanus, Juan de Segovia, and the Libellus to Leo X: A Comparison
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Date: 06/29/2023
Location: Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands

Countering Islam in Cusanus, Juan de Segovia, and Libellus to Leo X: A Comparison. (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Countering Islam in Cusanus, Juan de Segovia, and Libellus to Leo X: A Comparison.
Author: Christopher M. Bellitto
Abstract: Countering Islam in Cusanus, Juan de Segovia, and Libellus to Leo X: A Comparison.
Date: 07/07/2022
Conference Name: International Medieval Congress, Leeds UK

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