Course Description

The course takes a very broad understanding of humanitarian intervention, looking not only at states but also at international NGOs and the aid business, and not only at aid but also at other forms of political action. It focuses on the emergence of humanitarian intervention, its contemporary nature, success and failure, moral challenges, and ways forward. It examines dilemmas generated notably by great power politics, by the tension between state sovereignty and global humanitarian action, by resource constraints in a world of potentially limitless need, and by issues of authentic country ownership. It explores these issues both through overview analysis in lectures, and through real-world case studies in seminars. In classroom discussion, students’ country expertise will be very much in the lead. The course is assessed 100% through coursework, with class participation and one term paper counting towards the final grade.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

1. Describe and understand humanitarian intervention through an awareness of both historical development and territorial reach.
2. Use the relevant information about humanitarian intervention to analyze and explain the issues of principle and practice it generates.
3. Demonstrate an awareness of ways forward for humanitarian intervention in the complex circumstances of the contemporary world.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

First semester (Wed)