Close
Description
Why is the global humanitarian system the way it is today? What grand ideas, fateful compromises and ad-hoc practices have shaped it? This module aims to put the humanitarian system into historical context. It introduces students to international humanitarian history from its 19th century origins, through the eras of imperialism, decolonization, the Cold War and beyond. It asks how key humanitarian agencies and practices emerged alongside the developing international system, while exploring some of the dilemmas which humanitarians have faced. Possible topics covered could include the Geneva Conventions; the humanitarian aftermaths of major wars; the origins of the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies; and liberal interventionism since the 1990s. Types of crisis covered could include slavery, famine, war, and natural hazard-driven disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. The module tells the story from the point of view of the recipients as well as practitioners of humanitarian assistance, and examines the role of the 鈥楪lobal South鈥� in shaping the humanitarian system.
The core teaching method will be lectures.听Weekly seminars will be used for discussion, group activities, and feedback.听In this module students will be required to engage with the main historiographical debates, and learning activities will include analysis of primary sources.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
听