units

APG4656

Faculty of Arts

Monash University

Postgraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2012 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelPostgraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
OfferedCaulfield Second semester 2012 (On-campus block of classes)
Coordinator(s)Sharmini Sherrard

Notes

Previously coded MAI4020

Synopsis

This unit surveys a range of action-oriented strategies relevant to complex crisis responses by the international community utilising guest lecturers from various fields including faculties, non-governmental organisations, emergency and security components. The unit provides a historical overview of international responses and interventions to natural disasters, conflict, and human security issues. Topics covered include Needs Assessments, Monitoring and Evaluation, SPHERE Minimum Standards, people-oriented strategies, building capacities, disaster mitigation and preparedness. Field based case studies are used to support seminars.

Outcomes

On satisfactory completion of this subject, students will be able to analyse, design and produce research papers and models on crisis action and response mechanisms.
Specifically the learning outcomes are:

  1. Critical understanding of the concepts pertaining to operational modalities and the timing of appropriate exit strategies;
  2. Critical understanding of field-based examples of crisis relief and responses in a manner that contextualises crisis management within the cultural, social, political, economic cultures of the areas in crisis;
  3. Opportunities to specialise in particular areas of crisis response and recovery by the provision of world class research training and supervision;
  4. Development of analytical skills that help to question the appropriateness of relief responses and interventions through principles such as Do No Harm;
  5. Capacity for independent, self-motivated research;
  6. Capacity to write lucid, critical, balanced assessments of crisis action and response;

Assessment

A short essay on 'The Operational Aspects of Crisis Management' (1,000 words): 15%
Ppt/oral presentation at the one day seminar: 10%
Research essay (7,000 words): 75%

Contact hours

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

Prerequisites

APG4655