Course: Introduction to Humanitarian Work

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Course title Introduction to Humanitarian Work
Course code MRS/MUHP
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Exercise
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Medová Nikola, Mgr. PhD.
  • Jochim Vojtěch, Mgr.
Course content
The course explores the core principles of humanitarian assistance, the sector?s architecture and key stakeholders, different types of humanitarian crises and disasters, the modalities, tools, and management of aid delivery, an introduction to International Humanitarian Law, and the political dimensions that influence humanitarian action. The subject also explores the perspective of individual humanitarian workers, including key knowledge and skills, professional ethics, and the risks and security measures in the field. Throughout the semester, the course highlights how these themes intersect with developmental issues and development cooperation.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
  • Attendace - 39 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Exam - 20 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 6 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Students will gain an introductory understanding of the nature and functioning of the humanitarian sector.
Basic overview of the evolution, organizational structure, and key actors of the humanitarian sector, the nature of humanitarian crises and disasters, principles and management of humanitarian aid, the framework of international humanitarian law, the political dimensions that interact with the humanitarian field, and the key aspects of humanitarian fieldwork.
Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
Systematic Observation of Student, Written exam

Written exam, active participation.
Recommended literature
  • Barnett, M. N. (2013). Empire of humanity: A History of Humanitarianism. Ithaca, United States: Cornell University Press.
  • Bornstein, E. (2014). Forces of Compassion: Humanitarianism between ethics and politics. Santa Fe, NM: School for Advanced Research Press.
  • Bradley, M. (2023). The politics and everyday practice of international humanitarianism. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
  • Fassin, D.and Gomme, R. (2012). Humanitarian Reason: A Moral History of the Present Times. Berkeley, United States: University of California Press.
  • Heintze, H.-J. and Thielbörger, P. (eds.). (2018). International Humanitarian Action: Noha Textbook. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature.
  • James, E. (2018). Managing Humanitarian Innovation: The Cutting Edge of Aid. Rugby, United Kingdom: Practical Action Publishing.
  • Murphy, K. and Ansari, A. (eds.). (2018). The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. 4th edn., Geneva, Switzerland: Sphere.
  • Sahay, B. S., Gupta, S. and Menon, N. V. C. (2016). Managing humanitarian logistics. New Delhi: Springer.
  • Tsagourias, N. and Morrison, A. (2023). International humanitarian law: Cases, materials, and commentary. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
  • Zobel, C. W., Altay, N. and Haselkorn, M. P. (2016). Advances in managing humanitarian operations. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): International Development Studies (2024) Category: Social sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter