AHA721 - Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Anthony Ware
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.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 1-hour lecture (livestreamed with recordings provided) per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar (livestreamed with recordings provided) per week

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

1 x 1-hour lecture (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

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 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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Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

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