AHA721 - Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Sandra Carrasco |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | NIL |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour on-campus lecture per week (livestreamed with recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour on-campus seminar per week (livestreamed with recordings provided) |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week (livestreamed with recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week (livestreamed with recordings provided) |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit provides a critical understanding of the key policy issues currently facing the humanitarian sector, with a focus on geo-political trends and their implications for the delivery of principled humanitarian action in conflict contexts.
We begin by examining the legal frameworks relevant to humanitarian crises, including international law on the use of force and the quasi-legal doctrines of humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect, and international human rights and humanitarian law. We then consider the securitization and politicization of aid, including discussion of stabilization operations and civil-military relations, and we discuss the evolving role of the UN in humanitarian crises - from peacekeeping to 'integrated missions'. We also examine the rules and practicalities related to humanitarian access, including by examining the implications of counter-terrorism legislation. We finish by discussing the dynamics and dilemmas likely to face humanitarian practitioners working in conflict contexts into the future.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Explain and critique the legal frameworks relevant to humanitarian action, specifically the UN Charter, international human rights law and international humanitarian law | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Critically analyse key geopolitical trends relevant to the delivery of principled humanitarian assistance, and articulate and evaluate strategies for addressing related challenges | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO3 | Explain and critique the evolving role of the UN in conflict-related humanitarian crisis, and the implications of this evolution for the humanitarian sector | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Explain and critically analyse the challenges faced by the humanitarian sector in accessing crisis-affected populations, and articulate strategies for addressing those challenges | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO5 | By drawing upon personal experience, academic and practitioner literature and course content, provide your own personal and critical reflection on the dynamics and dilemmas facing the humanitarian sector | GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO6 | Identify and critically analyse challenges associated with working as a group in humanitarian contexts, and apply strategies for overcoming those challenges to complete a given task | GLO7: Teamwork |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Journal | 1000 words or equivalent | 20% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 2: (Group) Policy Brief | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 3: Essay | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for AHA721 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.