AHA721 - Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector
Unit details
| Year: | 2022 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Last updated: 4 March 2022 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Cloud (online) From 2022: Trimester 1: Cloud (online), Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Nazanin Zadeh-Cummings |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | NIL |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 1-hour class (livestreamed with recordings provided) per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar (livestreamed with recordings provided) per week |
| Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | 1 x 1-hour class (livestreamed with recordings provided) per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar (livestreamed with recordings provided) per week |
Content
This unit provides a critical understanding of the key policy issues currently facing the humanitarian sector, with a focus on geo-political trends and their implications for the delivery of principled humanitarian action in conflict contexts.
We begin by examining the legal frameworks relevant to humanitarian crises, including international law on the use of force and the quasi-legal doctrines of humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect, and international human rights and humanitarian law. We then consider the securitization and politicization of aid, including discussion of stabilization operations and civil-military relations, and we discuss the evolving role of the UN in humanitarian crises - from peacekeeping to 'integrated missions'. We also examine the rules and practicalities related to humanitarian access, including by examining the implications of counter-terrorism legislation. We finish by discussing the dynamics and dilemmas likely to face humanitarian practitioners working in conflict contexts into the future.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Explain and critique the legal frameworks relevant to humanitarian action, specifically the UN Charter, international human rights law and international humanitarian law | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Critically analyse key geopolitical trends relevant to the delivery of principled humanitarian assistance, and articulate and evaluate strategies for addressing related challenges | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO3 | Explain and critique the evolving role of the UN in conflict-related humanitarian crisis, and the implications of this evolution for the humanitarian sector | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Explain and critically analyse the challenges faced by the humanitarian sector in accessing crisis-affected populations, and articulate strategies for addressing those challenges | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO5 | By drawing upon personal experience, academic and practitioner literature and course content, provide your own personal and critical reflection on the dynamics and dilemmas facing the humanitarian sector | GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO6 | Identify and critically analyse challenges associated with working as a group in humanitarian contexts, and apply strategies for overcoming those challenges to complete a given task | GLO7: Teamwork |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Journal | 1000 words or equivalent | 20% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 2 - (group) Policy Brief | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 3 - Essay | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: AHA721 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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