Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE IRL2062

 
TITLE An Introduction to Humanitarian Action

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 2

 
DEPARTMENT International Relations

 
DESCRIPTION The human toll taken by conflict in places such as the Syria, South Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen; earthquakes, hurricanes and floods in Mozambique, Philippines, Pakistan and elsewhere – all are examples of humanitarian calamities facing the world. How is the humanitarian response to emergencies such as these fashioned? Who are the main actors and how can their actions be analyzed? What are the main issues and problems with humanitarian aid in today’s world?

“Understanding Humanitarian Action” aims to give students an introductory understanding of the global humanitarian system and humanitarian principles and associated instruments. It critically and theoretically analyzes global humanitarian responses and policies of key actors, including states, intergovernmental institutions, and NGOs. It includes case studies of major humanitarian disasters and the international response in their wake.

This unit is unique in that it is given by most NOHA (Network on Humanitarian Action) universities across Europe (see www.nohanet.org/ for more information), including the University of Malta, which is a NOHA member since 2014.

Study-unit Aims:

The unit aims to provide students with the competences to critically analyse contemporary humanitarian action in its historical context.

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe the origins and history of organized humanitarian action;
- Depict the international humanitarian system in some detail;
- Grasp the concepts and forces governing the humanitarian field;
- Appreciate the structural, political and practical constraints and dilemmas of humanitarian action; and critically analyse humanitarian action in context.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Discuss the main aspects of the global politics of humanitarian action;
- Write in a nuanced and informed manner about humanitarian action-related issues.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main text:

- Daniel G Maxwell, Kirsten Gelsdorf Understanding the Humanitarian World Taylor & Francis, 2019.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Reflective Diary Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Yasmin Anna Gunilla Khakee

 

 
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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit