BSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response and Spanish / Course details

This course explores the multiple histories of humanitarianism and their resonances with today. It will introduce students to the complex past of humanitarian action in its European and non-European forms, from charities to international non-governmental organisations. Students will reflect on the usefulness of this history for the current humanitarian sector.

• Explore different meanings of humanitarianism
• Apply historical, legal and political perspectives in order to understand the origins, institutions and basic concepts of the contemporary international humanitarian system
• Deepen critical reasoning and intellectual curiosity
• Strengthen written and oral communication skills
• Engage critically with a wide range of academic literature

The principal teaching and learning methods will be the lecture (an interactive experience) and the tutorial. These would be supplemented by guided and independent reading and assignments designed to encourage students to engage with course material in meaningful ways. 
 

• Understand key concepts around the history of humanitarian aid and the meaning of humanitarianism; and apply this to a scholarship abstract
• Develop a critical understanding of the diverse origins of humanitarian relief work
• Understand the long-term impact of this history on current humanitarian discourses and practices

• Critically engage with  the literature on the history of humanitarianism
• Develop awareness of current humanitarian affairs and their longer histories
• Analyse and critique international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles through a short essay

• Demonstrate analytical and debating skills with peers and tutor
• Demonstrate efficiency and creativity in writing
• Show effective use of library resources and search engine to gather information 

• Develop communication skills for a variety of audiences
• Develop, plan and achieve individual research outcomes
• Develop analytical skills and the ability to articulate ideas verbally and in writing
• Develop confidence articulating ideas and opinions during group discussions

Baughan, Emily, Saving the Children: Humanitarianism, Internationalism, and Empire (Oakland: University of California Press, 2021)

Barnett, Michael. Empire of Humanity: A History of Humanitarianism (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2011).

Fazal Tanisha. Wars of Law: Unintended Consequences in the Regulation of Armed Conflict (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2018)

Ibhawoh Bonny, ‘Humanitarians and Abolitionists’ in Human Rights in Africa. New Approaches to African History (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018)

O’Sullivan, Kevin, The NGO Moment: The Globalisation of Compassion from Biafra to Live Aid (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021).

Palmieri, Daniel. “An Institution Standing the Test of Time? A Review of 150 Years of the History of the International Committee of the Red Cross”, International Review of the Red Cross 94:888 (2012): 1-26.

Salvatici, Silvia. A history of humanitarianism, 1755-1989. In the name of others (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2019), 1-13.