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Course Name
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Year
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Term
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Period
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Faculty / Graduate School
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All Instructors
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Credits
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15647:IR18‐EE341 Advanced Topics in International Relations (RB) § 15648:RUIR-3541 Advanced Topics in International Relations (GCG)(RB) § 15649:RUIR-3542 Advanced Topics in International Relations (IRGC)(RB) § 15650:RUIR-3543 Advanced Topics in International Relations (PGSCR)(RB) § 15651:IR-EAS302 Theories of International Politics (RB) |
2022 |
Fall |
Tue4 |
College Of International Relations |
MOSNEAGA ANA |
2 |
Campus
KIC
Class Venue
MEIGAKUKAN MG003
Language
English
Course Outline and Method
Humanitarian emergencies have become a permanent feature of today’s world with many of these turning into protracted crises going on for years or even decades. Many of such crises remain ignored by the mainstream media, and the reality of the people affected by such crises continues to be overlooked. Growing humanitarian needs, however, has led to unprecedented levels of humanitarian assistance, which has grown into a whole industry characterised by complex financial flows, coordination systems and response mechanisms. Yet, few people outside the humanitarian sector understand how it works. This course will cover key themes that shape existing debates and discussions pertaining to international humanitarian policy and practice. Acquiring a better understanding of these thematic areas is particularly relevant in times when humanitarian aid is increasingly becoming a contested and politicised subject.
Before registering for this course, please take note of the course evaluation method (explained in the designated section below) and that this course requires a substantial amount of reading on complex topics for each class (see the course schedule section; additional readings may be designated in class). If you experience difficulties with academic reading and writing on advanced topics, you will likely struggle to pass this course.
Student Attainment Objectives
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the diverse issues shaping the humanitarian sector and the challenges it is facing. On successful completion of this course students should be able to demonstrate a balanced understanding of key debates pertaining to humanitarian policy and practice.
Recommended Preparatory Course
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) |
Theme |
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information |
|
1 |
Course introduction |
The first lecture introduces the course objectives, the main themes covered in this course and course evaluation structure. Students will be also asked to fill in a brief survey after listening to this lecture. |
|
2 |
A history of humanitarian assistance |
Davey, E. et al (2013) “Chapter 2 - Humanitarian history: an overview” and “Chapter 5 - The emergence of a humanitarian knowledge community”, in Davey, E et al A history of the humanitarian system: Western origins and foundations. HPG Briefing Paper.
https://www.odi.org/publications/7535-history-humanitarian-system-western-origins-and-foundations
Rysaback-Smith, H. (2015) History and Principles of Humanitarian Action, Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine, Oct; 15(Suppl 1): 5–7.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4910138/ |
|
3 |
Humanitarian principles and International Humanitarian Law |
Haider, H. (2012) International Legal Frameworks for Humanitarian Action: Topic Guide, GSDRC, University of Birmingham, pp.11-30.
https://gsdrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ILFHA.pdf
ICRC (2014) “Rules of war (in a nutshell)” (video)
https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/resources/documents/audiovisuals/video/2014/rules-of-war.htm |
|
4 |
The humanitarian response system |
Humanitarian Response: “About clusters”:
https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/about-clusters/what-is-the-cluster-approach
https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/about-clusters/why-do-we-need-the-cluster-approach
https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/about-clusters/who-does-what
ICVA (2017) The IASC and the global humanitarian coordination architecture: How can NGOs engage?, Topic 1 Briefing Paper: Global Humanitarian Coordination Mechanisms, International Council of Voluntary Agencies.
https://www.icvanetwork.org/resources/topic-one-briefing-paper-global-humanitarian-coordination-mechanisms
Stumpenhorst, M. et al. “The UN OCHA cluster approach: gaps between theory and practice”: Journal of Public Health (2011) 19: 587–592
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Miriam_Stumpenhorst/publication/251366413_The_UN_OCHA_cluster_approach_gaps_between_theory_and_practice/links/574b7dc008ae5c51e29eabca.pdf |
|
5 |
The contemporary dynamics of humanitarian crises |
UN OCHA (2021) Global Humanitarian Overview 2022, pp.20-59
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Global%20Humanitarian%20Overview%202022.pdf
|
|
6 |
The World Humanitarian Summit |
World Humanitarian Summit Chair’s Summary: Standing Up for Humanity, Committing to Action
https://www.agendaforhumanity.org/sites/default/files/resources/2017/Jul/Chair%27s_Summary.pdf
Hoffman, P. (2016) Humanitarianism in Treatment: Analyzing the World Humanitarian Summit, Future United Nations Development System, Briefing 41.
https://futureun.org/media/archive1/briefings/FUNDS_Brief41_WorldHumanitarianSummit_August2016.pdf
Spiegel, P. (2017) “The humanitarian system is not just broke, but broken: recommendations for future humanitarian action”, The Lancet.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31278-3/fulltext
*the article is available free of charge but one has to register before accessing it. |
|
7 |
The humanitarian-development(-peace) nexus |
Oxfam (2019) The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus: What Does It Mean For Multi-Mandated Organizations? Oxfam Discussion Paper, pp.6-14 and pp.32-39.
https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/10546/620820/1/dp-humanitarian-development-peace-nexus-260619-en.pdf
Redvers, L. (2019.9.24) “Searching for the nexus: the view from the ground”, The New Humanitarian, Special Report.
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/special-report/2019/09/24/triple-nexus-humanitarian-development-peacebuilding-views
Redvers, L. & Parker, B. (2020.5.13) “Searching for the nexus: give peace a chance”, The New Humanitarian, Special Report.
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2020/05/13/triple-nexus-peace-development-security-humanitarian-policy |
|
8 |
The localisation debate |
The New Humanitarian (2019.3.21) From the ground up: Inside the push to reshape aid
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/in-depth/ground-inside-push-reshape-local-aid
Barbelet, V. (2019) Rethinking capacity and complementarity for a more local humanitarian action. HPG Report, Humanitarian Policy Group. pp.3-13.
https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/resource-documents/12957.pdf
Fast, L. (2019) Beyond local and international: humanitarian action at the margins, ODI Briefing Paper, Overseas Development Institute..
https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/resource-documents/intermediaries_briefing_note_web.pdf |
|
9 |
Towards a participation revolution? |
Daun, Joakim (2020) Humanitarian Accountability: A Conceptual Analysis, RLI Working Paper 41, Refugee Law Initiative, University of London.
https://sas-space.sas.ac.uk/9316/
Konyndyk, J. & Worden, R. (2019) People-Driven Response: Power and Participation in Humanitarian Action, CDG Policy Paper 155, Center for Global Development. pp.1-12.
https://cgdev.org/sites/default/files/people-driven-response.pdf |
|
10 |
The nexus in protracted emergencies |
Castellarnau, M. & Stoianova, V. (2018) Bridging the Emergency Gap, Médecins Sans Frontières, pp.19-49.
https://arhp.msf.es/emergency-gap-final-report-bridging-emergency-gap |
|
11 |
Politics and humanitarian action (part 1) |
Khakee, A. (2018) Humanitarian Action in International Relations: Power and Politics, in Heintze, H. & Thielborger, P. eds., International Humanitarian Action, Springer, pp.19-29.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ronan_Mcdermott3/publication/320102473_Disaster_Law/links/5cf7dc0c4585153c3db71b76/Disaster-Law.pdf#page=11
Collinson, S. & Elhawary, S. (2012) Humanitarian space: a review of trends and issues, HPG Report 32, Humanitarian Policy Group, pp.1-4 & pp.19-26.
https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/7643.pdf |
|
12 |
Politics and humanitarian action (part 2) |
Redvers, L. & Parker, B. (2019.12.3) Searching for the nexus: it’s all about the money, The New Humanitarian, Special Report.
http://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/special-report/2019/12/3/triple-nexus-aid-development-humanitarian-donors-cooperation
Andersen, U. and Brehmer, K. (2018) The Governance of Humanitarian Action in World Politics, in Heintze, H. & Thielborger, P. eds., International Humanitarian Action, Springer, pp.79-90.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ronan_Mcdermott3/publication/320102473_Disaster_Law/links/5cf7dc0c4585153c3db71b76/Disaster-Law.pdf#page=11 |
|
13 |
Humanitarian action in the digital age |
Sandvik, K. et al. (2017) “Do no harm: A taxonomy of the challenges of humanitarian experimentation”, International Review of the Red Cross, 99 (904), pp.331-344.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/21D82019D70985DEE475DBBBDE60D192/S181638311700042Xa.pdf/do_no_harm_a_taxonomy_of_the_challenges_of_humanitarian_experimentation.pdf
Hayes, B. & Marelli, M. (2019.10.19) Facilitating innovation, ensuring protection: the ICRC Biometrics Policy. Humanitarian Law and Policy Blog, ICRC.
https://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2019/10/18/innovation-protection-icrc-biometrics-policy/ |
|
14 |
Final essay instructions |
This lecture is reserved for reflecting on the final essay instructions. |
|
15 |
Final essay submission deadline |
This lecture is reserved for finalising essay submissions. |
Class Format
Regardless of the BCP Level*, this course may be conducted entirely through web-based classes (details will be announced closer to the course start date).
When web-based, most classes will be conducted as on-demand sessions; some classes may be conducted as live sessions if deemed necessary by the instructor (in which case, students will be notified in advance via manaba R).
※For more information on Ritsumeikan University's BCP Level, please refer to the following URL, Point No.1 The Ritsumeikan Trust Crisis Response Task Force:
http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/news/detail/?id=475
Recommendations for Private Study
Students will be required to read the assigned texts before each class.
Grade Evaluation Method
| Kind |
Percentage |
Grading Criteria etc. |
| Final Examination (Written) |
|
|
Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline) |
|
|
Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class) |
100 |
30% Briefing assignment (group assignment): students will be divided into groups and each group will prepare a briefing on the assigned topic. Detailed instructions on the briefing assignment will be given in class.
10% Peer-review activity (individual assignment): each student will have to read the briefings prepared by other groups (than their own) and provide constructive feedback on the contents of the briefing. Detailed instructions on the peer review assignment will be given in class.
60% Final short essay (individual assignment): for which students are to clearly formulate a specific problem and discuss it drawing on existing data and literature within the parameters of the themes covered during the course. Detailed instructions on the final short essay will be given in class. |
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
Note that briefing assignments will be visible to other course participants.
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
Students are encouraged to critically read news and blog articles related to international humanitarian assistance to enhance their understanding of the concepts and perspectives that will be covered during this course.
Textbooks
Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）
The list of assigned reading for this course consists of academic literature as well as policy documents, op-eds and research reports. For details please refer to the course schedule above.
Reference Books
Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）
Web Pages for Reference
How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)
Learning Management System （manaba+R）
Other Comments
