International relations

Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice

Module code: 018IRS
Level 6
30 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework, Essay

What is humanitarianism?
Who is a humanitarian?
What do they do?

From missionaries in the 19th century, via large international aid organisations, to volunteers travelling to the Mediterranean to help migrants, humanitarianism is a key part of global politics. In this module, you’ll study the development of humanitarianism, its conceptual roots, and how it is practiced by lots of different actors in the 21st Century. We explore:

• how gender, race and class matter for humanitarian action
• how it can become militarised
• how to decolonise aid
• whether there is a humanitarian crisis in Britain today.

Module learning outcomes

• Develop a systematic and critical understanding of humanitarianism as an ideology and a practice that shapes and structures global politics.
• Develop a detailed conceptual understanding of the historical, theoretical, political and practical challenges associated with humanitarianism.
• Apply theoretically grounded knowledge to practical tasks and empirical cases.