| CODE | IRL5050 | |||||||||
| TITLE | An Introduction to Humanitarian Action | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | International Relations | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study unit aims to introduce the students to the world of humanitarian action: the actors involved (main donor countries, intergovernmental agencies, private donors), the institutional framework for the provision of humanitarian assistance, and the main forms of humanitarian assistance. It then moves on to examine the links between humanitarian assistance and development assistance: What is the relationship of humanitarian activity to development work? When does humanitarian action stop? What comes after? It also presents the historical evolution of humanitarian and development assistance (from a charity-based approach to an in principle more rights-based approach) and main recent developments. It looks at the evolution of norms surrounding aid giving. It also examines how this historical and normative evolution is related to events on the ground (Biafra, Sarajevo, Rwanda etc.). The study unit also looks at the recipient side: what makes certain countries and regions vulnerable to humanitarian calamities? What makes the national response to emergencies insufficient in a number of cases? This is done against the backdrop of IR theory: theories regarding the role and evolution of norms and institutions in international relations; theories of why aid is given, and theories regarding state vulnerability and failure. Study-unit Aims The aims of the study unit are to: - Give students a good grasp of the theoretical backdrop to analyzing humanitarian and development action. - Provide students with thorough knowledge of the international architecture of humanitarian and development assistance and how it has evolved over the decades. - Give students a clear understanding of how humanitarian and development work are linked and how a lack of development can lead to humanitarian crisis - Develop a critical analysis of the multidimensional nature of humanitarian emergencies Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Relate the aid architecture in all its complexity - Explain how humanitarian and development assistance have evolved over time and what the main turning points have been - Examine critically humanitarian action - Use relevant IR theories to elucidate and analyze humanitarian and development action and the context in which such action is deployed. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - discuss with confidence main issues related to humanitarian and development action - discuss with confidence relevant IR theories - compare current humanitarian crisis and crisis responses to historical cases - assess recipient states and the complex reasons for their vulnerability Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Recommended readings: - Michael Barnett (2011) Empire of Humanity: A History of Humanitarianism Cornell University Press - Michael Barnett and Martha Finnemore (2004) Rules for the World: International Organisations in Global Politics Cornell University Press - Barnett, Michael and Thomas G. Weiss (eds.), Humanitarianism in Question: Politics, Power, Ethics (London: Cornell, 2008) - Barrett Christopher and Daniel G Maxwell (2005) Food Aid After Fifty Years: Recasting Its Role London: Routledge (selections) - Bates, Robert H. (2008) When Things Fell Apart: State Failure in Late-Century Africa Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics - Collier, Paul (2008). The Bottom Billion: Why Poor Countries are Failing and What Can Be Done About It Oxford: Oxford University Press - Edwards, Michael (2008) Just Another Emperor? The Myths and Realities of Philanthrocapitalism Demos: A Network for Ideas & Action - Karns, Margaret P. and Karen A. Mingst (2009) International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance Lynne Rienner Publishers Supplementary readings: - Ha-Joon Chang Kicking away the ladder: development strategy in historical perspective Anthem Press - Helton Arthur C. (2002). The Price of Indifference: Refugees and Humanitarian Action in the New Century Oxford: Oxford University Press - Polman, Linda (2011)The Crisis Caravan: What's Wrong with Humanitarian Aid? - Smillie, I, Minear, L. (2004) The Charity of Nations: Humanitarian action in a calculating world, Bloomfield, Ct: Kumarian Press |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Co-Requisite Study-units As prescribed within MA in Humanitarian Action. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Yasmin Anna Gunilla Khakee |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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