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SP52102: Humanitarianism in principle and practice

[Page last updated: 15 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 20 [equivalent to 40 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 400
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Modular - March Start (M08)
Assessment Summary: CWES 40%, CWRA 20%, CWRI 40%
Assessment Detail:
  • Policy brief (CWRI 40%)
  • Essay (CWES 40%)
  • Discussion forum contributions (CWRA 20%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take SP52093
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
  • engage critically in current debates within the humanitarian field.
  • articulate a clear and critical understanding of the differences - organizational, conceptual and practical - between development assistance and humanitarian aid.
  • interrogate humanitarian practice for its engagement with issues relating to gender, age, ethnicity, class and other sectional characteristics.



Synopsis: Learn about the history and core principles of humanitarianism as an organised response to human suffering. You'll engage in an in-depth and up-to-date review of the institutional structure, funding and range of activities of contemporary humanitarianism. You'll also explore the ethical and practical dilemmas commonly faced by humanitarian actors and gain insight into the effectiveness of solutions to them.

Content: The unit maps out humanitarianism as a mode of action with its own institutional history and guiding principles. It examines the thinking that underlies present-day humanitarianism: from the conceptualisation of `the field' itself to the motivation for action. It also considers key areas of humanitarian practice and the specific challenges associated with these.

Course availability:

SP52102 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • THSP-ADM40 : MSc Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.