BSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response and Spanish

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 abroad in the form of field visits and lectures. 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.

HCRI30111 is available only to International Disaster Management & Humanitarian Response and iBSc Global Health students.

• ​​​​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

The supplementary methods used in the provision of teaching and learning on this course unit should be identified here.

In addition to 11 lectures, students will spend 10 days on a research visit abroad (likely India). During this time, they will receive presentations and attend workshops with different actors, be expected to engage with the urban environment to produce an assessment, and attend daily academic tutorials/debriefs with the course leaders.

 Students must attend at least 10 out of 11 lectures in the UK. Otherwise they will not be allowed to take part in the research visit and cannot complete the course unit.

Students are encouraged to take part in pre-departure discussion board activities.

• 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

• 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

• Team-working skills
• Inter-cultural competences
• Networking opportunities with NGOs and policy makers
• Logistics and planning skills

For guidance on Transferable skills, please see:

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/Pages/transferableskills.aspx

• 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

Assessment Task	Formative or Summative	Weighting
Written Research Plan	Formative	0%
Research Portfolio	Summative	60%
Research Presentation	Summative	40%

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

 

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)