Prof Stuart Gordon

This course is compulsory on the MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies. This course is available on the MSc in Anthropology and Development, MSc in Development Management (Political Economy), MSc in Development Management (Political Economy) (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Economic Policy for International Development, MSc in Gender (Rights and Human Rights), MSc in Gender, Peace and Security, MSc in Health and International Development, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Human Rights and Politics, MSc in Inequalities and Social Science and MSc in Political Economy of Late Development. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

How to apply: Places will be allocated with priority first to MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies students and then to students on International Development and joint-degree programmes followed by MSc Human Rights students. In cases where there are more applicants than spaces then places will be allocated randomly in accordance with the priorities listed in the course guide.

Deadline for application: You should make your request to take ID courses by 12 noon Friday 25 September 2026.

You will be informed of the outcome by 12 noon Monday 28 September 2026.

Students do not need to write a statement to apply for this course.

For queries contact: intdev.enquiries@lse.ac.uk

This course examines the causes of humanitarian disasters arising from natural hazards, conflict and complex emergencies, and the range of responses developed to address them. Building on an analysis of the origins, construction and consequences of humanitarian crises, the course focuses on how the contemporary humanitarian system functions in practice. It explores the history, principles and politics of humanitarian action, including the overlaps and tensions between humanitarian assistance and humanitarian intervention, and the ways in which humanitarian institutions both shape and are shaped by global governance and state power.

The course also considers why humanitarian organisations and governments respond to some crises but not others, and critically examines the extent to which the humanitarian system addresses gender inequalities and reproduces neo-colonial dynamics. In addition, it explores the professionalisation of humanitarian practice and the implications of these developments for the sector.  Empirical examples are drawn primarily from humanitarian crises in Africa, Central and South Asia, and Latin America, though the course also engages with contemporary emergencies wherever they occur.

The course is complemented by the Voice of Experience lecture series, in which leading practitioners reflect on key challenges in the management of humanitarian emergencies. Previous speakers have included former UN Under-Secretaries-General, gender advisers, emergency and fundraising directors, and representatives from organisations such as UNHCR, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, Islamic Relief, and locally based organisations from the Global South.

15 hours of seminars and 20 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.

The final lecture of AT week 11 is a revision lecture.

Five or six 'Voice of Experience' lectures. Programme to be announced in week 2 of AT.

The teaching strategy is diverse and innovative: using both conventional discussions as well as a variety of small group exercises. These will feed directly into a formative piece of work related to the summative assessment.

Presentation.

Essay (850 words) in Autumn Term Week 5.

Students will receive feedback on seminar group presentations and have the option to write a formative essay, not exceeding 850 words, due in week 5 of AT. Essay topics will relate to seminar discussions and lecture material covered to date. Students will receive an indicative grade and written feedback within three weeks of submission (if submitted on time).  

Stuart Gordon and Antonio Donini ‘Romancing Principles and Human Rights - Are Humanitarian Principles Salvageable?’ International Review of the Red Cross / Volume 97 / Issue 897-898 / June 2015, pp 77-109;

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

M. Barnett, M. Barnett & T. G. Weiss (Eds.), 2008. Humanitarianism in Question Politics Power and Ethics, Ithaca: Cornell University Press;

A. De Waal, 1997. Famine Crimes: Politics and the Disaster Relief Industry in Africa. Oxford: James Currey;

G. Loescher, (2001). The UNHCR and World Politics, Oxford University Press;

D. Rieff, (2002). A Bed for the Night: Humanitarianism in Crisis, Vintage/Random House.

Essay (100%) in Winter Term Week 1.

The course is assessed through the submission of two 1750-word essays in week 1 of the Winter Term. Exam papers will comprise a section A with questions drawn from specific taught weeks and a section B with questions that engage themes drawn from multiple weeks. Students are expected to address one question from each of sections A and B.