Dr Katy Long.

For students taking MSc Development Management, MSc Development Studies, MSc Anthropology and Development, MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, MSc Population and Development, MSc Environment and Development, MSc Political Economy of Late Development, MSc Human Rights, MPA Programme (all streams), MSc Global Politics, MSc NGOs and Development and MSc Health, Community and Development. Students taking other degrees may only take this half unit with the permission of the International Development administrators. Please note that in case of over-subscription to this course priority will be given to students from the Department of International Development and its joint degrees (where their regulations permit).

The course looks at international, national and local responses to humanitarian disasters and civil wars, with a specific focus on efforts to ameliorate social, economic and political processes. Building on analysis of the consequences and causes of humanitarian disasters (the primary focus of DV420 - Complex Emergencies), this course focuses on the activities of humanitarian actors (including aid workers, journalists, medics, government officials, soldiers, politicians and peace negotiators). It covers both issues relating to humanitarian assistance and humanitarian intervention, and explores the overlaps and tensions between the two. It will also examine ways in which populations that are on the receiving end of humanitarian projects and programmes respond to them, and in some cases subvert or transform them into quite different directions to those anticipated. Case studies will be drawn mostly from Africa. However, there is also likely to be discussion of ongoing humanitarian emergencies, wherever they are located.

The course will be taught in the Lent Term and will consist of 10 lectures of two-hours, 10 film sessions of two hours, and ten seminars of one-and-a-half hours.

Students will write a practice essay under take-home exam conditions, not exceeding 2,000 words. Essay topics will relate to class presentations. Students will receive an indicative grade and written feedback before the end of the term.

Nicholas J. Wheeler Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention in International Society, Oxford: Oxford U.P. De Waal, A. 1997. Famine Crimes: Politics and the Disaster Relief Industry in Africa. London: James Currey. Gil Loescher (2001) The UNHCR and World Politics, Oxford University Press. David Rieff (2002) A Bed For the Night: Humanitarianism in Crisis, Vintage/Random House.

A take-home examination (100%). The paper will be released via the course Moodle site at 1800 hrs, Friday 4th May for electronic submission by 1800 hrs on Monday, 7th May. Please note that as this is a three-day take-home examination, extensions for disabilities will not apply. Students who cannot commit to be available for the exam period may NOT register for this course.