
- UCAS course code
- VL38
- UCAS institution code
- M20
BSc International Disaster Management & Humanitarian Response / Course details
Year of entry: 2023
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Course unit details:
Practical Approaches to Researching Disasters and Conflict
Unit code | HCRI30111 |
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Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | Humanitarian Conflict Response Institute |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This module enables students to explore some key concepts in relation to humanitarian provision, disaster management and peace and conflict in context. It combines theories and concepts with questions of sensitive research methods and knowledge production. The module contains a compulsory research element that will take the field visits or online research if social distancing does not allow for face-to-face interactions. The research element is designed to allow students to use, in a safe and guided space, the research methodologies that they have discussed in class and apply explore theoretical ideas in a real-world context. The research element encourages research responsibility and analytical skills for future humanitarian professionals
Pre/co-requisites
Aims
- To interrogate key concepts and theories related to humanitarian provision, disaster management and conflict;
- To ground these key concepts in a real-world context;
- To interrogate key concepts and theories related to the ethics and practicalities of conducting research related to conflict and disasters;
- To reflect on positionality with regard to research;
- To consider the nature of power and agency in relation to research;
- To engage critically with relevant literature on research methods;
- To engage actively in research activities; either online or face-to-face.
Learning outcomes
- Understanding how knowledge is produced and shaped by researchers
- Understanding how key concepts play out in a real-world contexts
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specific aspects of disasters, conflict and humanitarianism of the fieldtrip city
- Understanding how the city shapes and produces realties
Knowledge and understanding
- Understanding how knowledge is produced and shaped by researchers
- Understanding how key concepts play out in a real-world context
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specific aspects of disasters, conflict and humanitarianism of the fieldtrip city
- Understanding how the city shapes and produces realties
- Understand the challenges of conducting primary research in fragile environments
Intellectual skills
- Show an awareness of the ways in which the geographical location affects our understanding and response to processes of humanitarian response, disaster management and conflict
- Relate secondary sources (articles, books etc.) to the study of the actual humanitarian or disaster situation
- Reflect critically on the process of researching societies and humanitarian issues
Practical skills
- Team-working skills
- Inter-cultural competences
- Networking opportunities with NGOs and policy makers
- Logistics and planning skill
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Ability to interact and effectively communicate with various actors (donor agencies, policy makers, fellow professionals and lay communities) at various levels (local, district, national international)
- Team working skills especially: leadership skills; ability to organise self and others to accomplish tasks; sharing knowledge and managing differences
Employability skills
- Research
- - The development of research skills - research design, methodology, data collection and analysis - an area which is severely lacking in humanitarian organisations
- Other
- - Students will develop an ability to understand how academic work relates to practice and interrogate the practice of humanitarian assistance, disaster management and conflict response - Awareness of the value judgements and other social norms communicated through the interventions of different actors in fragile environments - Awareness of the connections between academia and practice in international development and humanitarian response
Assessment methods
Written research plan | 0% |
Research Portfolio | 60% |
Research presentation | 40% |
Feedback methods
Feedback method | Formative or Summative |
Written feedback | All summative assessments and on the formative research plan |
Oral feedback in lectures on project development | Formative |
Additional feedback available verbally in office hours | Formative |
Recommended reading
Methods and Field research
C. Lekha Sriram et al eds., Surviving field research: Working in violent and difficult situations (London: Routledge 2009).
R. Chambers, Whose reality counts? Putting the last first (London: Intermediate Technology 1997). Available in library as high demand book.
G. Millar. An ethnographic approach to peacebuilding – Understanding local experiences in transitional states. (New York: Routledge, 2014).
Coe, N.m., and Smyth, F.M., (2010), Students as Tour Guides: Innovation in Fieldwork Assessment, Journal of Geography in Higher Education, Vol. 34(1)
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Lectures | 22 |
Seminars | 11 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 167 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Larissa Fast | Unit coordinator |
Nimesh Dhungana | Unit coordinator |
Birte Vogel | Unit coordinator |