Credit Points 10

Coordinator Valentina Bau Opens in new window

Description Over the last five decades, the world has experienced historically significant disasters, including natural (e.g. earthquake and tsunami), human-induced (wars or ethnic conflicts) and climate impacts, requiring concerted international efforts to support populations at risk. This subject explores the causes and consequences of disasters and the application of international guidelines which govern humanitarian responses. It examines theoretical approaches to disaster management, its geo-political dimensions, and the community-led Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programs that increasingly drive local preparedness. Real-world case studies engage students in critical thinking and improve their knowledge of the humanitarian charter and core humanitarian standards, and the practical challenges of interagency coordination in emergencies.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Studies in Human Society, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Equivalent Subjects HUMN 2017 - Complex Emergencies and International Guidelines

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe different types of natural and human-induced disasters and phases of emergencies
2. Analyse theoretical frameworks to explain the causes of emergencies and assess their applications in various emergency contexts
3. Articulate the principles of disaster preparedness and mitigation
4. Analyse factors and activities associated with various types of disasters
5. Identify key players in emergency response and management, their roles and challenges they face
6. Apply major international guidelines and standards that govern humanitarian responses and assess enabling and disenabling factors associated with the adherence to such standards
7. Analyse challenges and ethical dilemmas associated with various emergency scenarios

Subject Content

1. Disasters: Definition, typology, and evolution

2. The right to humanitarian aid: International laws guiding humanitarian response

3. Theoretical foundations of disasters

4. Principal of disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation and sustainability

5. Phases of emergency management and the relief-development continuum

6. Anatomy of disaster response

7. Core humanitarian standard on quality and accountability

8. The SPHERE project: humanitarian charter and minimum standards

9. Key challenges and dilemmas during humanitarian response

10. Militarization and politicization of humanitarian assistance

11. Case studies and lessons learned: Somalian civil war and South-East Asian Tsunami