RDS-34806 Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

The course concerns principles, policies and practices of humanitarian aid and reconstruction during and after conflict or natural disaster. The central ideas and models that guide humanitarian aid and reconstruction are introduced and the major points of debate concerning these interventions are discussed. The course further deals with the organization and politics of aid and its donors, the perceptions and practices of local people, the security context of aid, and the relation with development. The course addresses these issues with a focus on everyday practices and the perceptions and interaction of the key actors: governments, international agencies and NGOs, and affected populations, as well as the surrounding stakeholders, including the military and the media.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course, the students are expected to be able to identify, understand and critically reflect on:
- the institutional structures, policy models and intervention practices prevalent in humanitarian aid and reconstruction;
- the key actors in humanitarian aid and reconstruction, their roles and the interaction between them;
- the central issues of debate concerning the quality of aid, security, and the relation with long-term development;
- the link between discussions about principles and politics and the everyday dynamics of aid.

Activities:

Classroom lectures include assignments and a group essay (book review). Students are motivated to actively engage in the discussion in class. Ample use of audio-visual materials and a one day excursion to a humanitarian organisation help students to grasp the realities of aid in emergency situations.

Examination:

A written exam will conclude the course. The final mark comprises the results of the examination and book review.

Literature:

Will be made available in the form of a reader obtainable at the commencement of the course.