MA Peace and Conflict Studies / Course details

The study of Humanitarianism and Conflict Responses is a multi-disciplinary endeavour, influenced by diverse fields including medicine, public health, political science, anthropology, economics, security studies, peace studies, international development, philosophy and law (amongst many others). This course offers students a broad overview of some of the various avenues, theories and ideas which help us understand and analyse humanitarianism and post conflict responses

• Understand and analyse processes of humanitarianism and conflict programming through a variety of disciplinary lenses.
• Compare and contrast different theoretical approaches to the study of humanitarian and post conflict processes.
• Think critically about the use the terms 'humanitarian', ‘conflict’and 'post conflict'.in order to unpack the tensions and dilemmas associated with its practice,
• Respond to and critically review literature on humanitarianism and conflict programming 
• Develop critical thinking and research skills through the production of an original research paper.

This course is taught by means of one 1 hour lecture and one 1 hour seminar per week. The module will be delivered using lectures, individual/group structured reading, discussion and preparation sessions, and seminars. The study sessions and seminars provide a structured environment for students to initiate and carry out independent and group work. Session material including unit handouts, assigned readings and web links will be made available via Blackboard (accessed via the student system).

• Introduce students to key issues in humanitarianism and conflict response. 
• Understand and analyse processes of humanitarianism and conflict programming through a variety of disciplinary lenses.

Compare and contrast different theoretical approaches to the study of humanitarian and post conflict processes.Think critically about the use the terms 'humanitarian', ‘conflict’and 'post conflict'.in order to unpack the tensions and dilemmas associated with its practice.

Respond to and critically review literature on humanitarianism and conflict programming.

Develop critical thinking and research skills through the production of an original research paper.

Weekly assigned readings, primarily e-journals Students may wish to read Barnett, M (2011) Empire of Humanity: A History of Humanitarianism

Abramowitz, S. & Panter-Brick, C. (2015) Medical Humanitarianism: Ethnographies of Practice (E-book).

Terry, F. (2002). Condemned to Repeat?: The Paradox of Humanitarian Action. The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response (Humanitarian Standards) 2018

The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response (Humanitarian Standards) 2018

MacGinty, R and Peterson, J. (2015) The Routledge Companion to Humanitarian Action.