Humanitarianism and Power in World Politics (POLS3222)
Information valid for Semester 1, 2024
Course level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Humanities Arts Social Science
School
Politic Sc & Internat Studies
Units
2
Duration
One Semester
Attendance mode
In Person
Class hours
Seminar 2 Hours/ Week
Incompatible
POLS2222
Assessment methods
Seminar participation and quizzes, Assignments
Course enquiries
Associate Professor Jacinta O'Hagan ()
Study Abroad
This course is pre-approved for Study Abroad and Exchange students.
Current course offerings
Course offerings | Location | Mode | Course Profile |
Semester 1, 2024 (19/02/2024 - 15/06/2024) | St Lucia | In Person | Course Profile |
Please Note: Course profiles marked as not available may still be in development.
Course description
The course examines the genealogy of humanitarianism, exploring the evolution and global diffusion of humanitarian concepts and practices, and how this has created an international humanitarian architecture. We explore the roles played by different actors in humanitarian action, including not only international organization and NGOs, but also states, Faith Based organizations, and the private sector. We ask why do they act? How do they act? Who do they help? And how does the evolution of these actors and structures intersect with power in world politics? In the second section of the course we look in detail at the dilemmas and paradoxes of humanitarian action presented by different forms of crises. This includes looking at issues such as the politics of international law, the politics of disaster, the politics of complex emergencies, the politics of displacement, and the politics of transnational crises. In exploring these issues, we will focus on particular on examples of crises in the Asia Pacific region.
Archived offerings
Course offerings | Location | Mode | Course Profile |
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025) | St Lucia | In Person | Profile unavailable |
Semester 1, 2023 (20/02/2023 - 17/06/2023) | St Lucia | In Person | Course Profile |
Semester 1, 2022 (21/02/2022 - 21/06/2022) | External | External | Course Profile |
Semester 1, 2022 (21/02/2022 - 21/06/2022) | St Lucia | Internal | Course Profile |
Semester 1, 2021 (22/02/2021 - 19/06/2021) | External | External | Course Profile |
Semester 1, 2021 (22/02/2021 - 19/06/2021) | St Lucia | Flexible Delivery | Course Profile |