SDC-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:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
Identify, analyse and critically reflect on the following aspects of humanitarian aid and reconstruction during and after conflict or natural disasters:
- central principles and policy models in humanitarian aid and reconstruction;
- the relevant institutional structures and aid flows in humanitarian aid and reconstruction;
- the key actors and interfaces in humanitarian aid and reconstruction;
- quality and effectiveness of humanitarian aid and reconstruction;
- the relation between emergency aid and long-term development;
- the political and governance impact of humanitarian aid and reconstruction;
- the relevance of the concepts and debates addressed in the course for concrete actual cases of humanitarian aid and reconstruction.

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 guest lectures by staff of humanitarian organisations help students to grasp the realities of aid in emergency situations.

Examination:

Examination consists of a written exam at the end of the course and a book review assignment.
- written exam counts for 66% of the final mark;
- the book review for 33% of the mark.
Students need to pass on both in order to complete the course successfully.

Literature:

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