Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit surveys policy issues relevant to complex crisis responses by the international community utilising guest lecturers from various fields including faculties, non-governmental organisations, and security sectors. The unit provides a historical overview of international interventions IN natural disasters, conflict, and human security issues. Topics covered
include international human rights and legal instruments; international, regional and national policies and approaches, disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies. Field based case studies are used in workshop formats to support lectures.

Objectives

On satisfactory completion of this subject, students will have developed research, critical thinking and writing of the highest academic standards.

Learning Objectives:

1. Critical understanding of the concepts behind human rights/international humanitarian law and international and regional strategies.
2. Critical understanding of field-based examples of crisis relief and response frameworks including integrated strategies that include humanitarian, social, political and security components.
3. Development of analytical skills that help to question the appropriateness of relief responses and interventions - eg the debate about the respective roles of humanitarian and military agencies, peace with justice, etc
4. Capacity for independent, self-motivated research.
5. Capacity to write lucid, critical, balanced assessments of crisis management.
6. Opportunities to specialise in particular areas of human rights/crisis management by the provision of world class research training and supervision.

Assessment

A short essay on 'Principles' (1,000 words): 15%
Ppt/oral presentation at the one day seminar (10%)
Research essay (7,000 words): 75%

Chief examiner(s)

Antonia Vicziany

Contact hours

33 hours of lecture/seminars in block mode plus a one day seminar consisting of 15 min project presentations by each student.