Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Humanitarian Intervention in an Age of Crisis
Credit Points: 12.00
Important Information:
In 2023 this course is titled 'Humanitarian Intervention and Security in an Age of Crisis'.
From 2024 this course will be titled 'Humanitarian Intervention in an Age of Crisis'.
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
POLI1113 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
365H Global, Urban and Social Studies |
Face-to-Face or Internet |
Sem 2 2019, Sem 1 2021, Sem 1 2023, Sem 1 2025 |
Course Coordinator: Professor Charles T. Hunt
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3074
Course Coordinator Email: charles.hunt@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Building 37. Floor 5 .Room 23
Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
Humanitarian interventions have become an integral part of the post-cold war global landscape. Situated at the intersection of demands for humanitarian assistance, security, human rights and development, an understanding of the international architecture of such interventions and how they play out on the ground has become essential knowledge for those working across a range of global actors including state agencies, NGOs, development networks, community-based organisations and social movements. In this course you will examine different forms and definitions of intervention, exploring in particular ’Humanitarian Interventions’ under and outside of the authority of the United Nations, undertaken by a military forces, policing bodies, humanitarian and relief agencies, peacebuilding and development actors as well as the role of media. Drawing on historical precedents you will examine key debates and case examples of humanitarian interventions to understand the evolving nature of interventions as well as their possible trajectory over the coming decades. This is done by examining how basic societal changes created through technological change in combination with global crises—health pandemics, climate change, warfare—affect in fundamental ways how humanitarian interventions take place. Growing awareness of key concepts will allow you to determine what does and does not constitute a humanitarian intervention, the relationship to international law and key normative frameworks for civilian protection, the changing role of peacekeeping missions, as well as consider key questions relating to: gender; doctrines such as Responsibility to Protect (R2P); genocide and other mass atrocity crimes; and state-building. Discussions of professional practice in the context of working in interventions, as well as ethics, will also be a key dimension in this course. A range of contemporary case studies from around the world will enable you to engage in critical analysis and make connections between the theory and practice of humanitarian interventions.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
N/A
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Evaluate and appraise theoretical and practical frameworks that relate to humanitarian intervention
- Critically examine the linkages between political, economic and military dimensions of interventions
- Delineate and determine what are the indicators in various local, regional, and global conflicts that may or may not lead to intervention
- Analyse the political and ethical causes and consequences of interventions, including the role of international organisations and related protocols.
- Determine the contemporary significance of different case studies that illustrate the rationale of humanitarian interventions
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities (either face-to-face or online) focusing on individual and interactive group-based discussion, role plays, scenarios, debates and class presentations as well as analytical and problem-solving tasks. These activities will intersect with the course readings
Course learning materials will be made available in a range of formats, which may include published texts, lectures, guest speakers and online media. In order to develop your knowledge and skills, you will be expected to participate in interactive discussions and activities and to critically engage with set reading materials. The course provides a supportive learning environment where you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experiences, and to learn from the knowledge and experience your peers.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web-based resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Short Writing Exercise [800 words], 20%, CLO1, CLO2.
Assessment Task 2: Oral Presentation [5 mins], 20%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5.
Assessment Task 3: Essay / Consultant report [2000 words], 40%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5.
Assessment Task 4: Participation and collaboration reflection [600 words], 20%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5.
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks and provided throughout the semester by your teachers and peers in class and/or online discussions, and through individual and/or group feedback on practical exercises.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.