MODULE INFORMATION
Module Title:
The United Nations, Humanitarian Intervention and
Contemporary Warfare
Module Code: PIM 28
Providing School/Department:
GIPIS/Politics
Level: Master's
Number of Credits: 30
Terms in which taught: Autumn & Spring Module Convenor: Dr. Stuart Gordon
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Modules Excluded: None
Current From: 2005
Aims:
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To introduce students to the principal concepts and theories relating to the
contemporary practice of humanitarian intervention.
To strengthen students’ critical and analytical skills through engagement with a
diverse literature (theoretical, historical and empirical); the giving of oral
presentations and participation in seminar discussions; and the writing of essays and
exams;
To provide the analytic and intellectual basis for further academic research in
international relations or for careers which require a sound understanding of
international relations.
Intended learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
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The ability to understand and analyze a range of concepts, theories and issues in
contemporary world politics;
The ability to deploy international relations scholarship in support of one’s analysis of
developments and trends in international relations;
The ability to write clearly, articulately and persuasively on a range of topics related
to the practice of intervention;
The ability to engage in constructive discussion about intervention.
Additional outcomes
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The ability to identify and to use resource material (books, journal articles, internet
resources) appropriate for the research and writing of essays and the making of oral
presentations;
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The ability to make articulate, concise, persuasive and well-paced presentations in
small groups.
Outline content:
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The United Nations and regulating the use of force in the international system.
The key themes arising from the proposed reforms of the United Nations.
The UN: integrated missions and humanitarian action.
The nature of humanitarianism and threats to humanitarian action and space.
The death of neutrality? The nature, role and challenges of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
6. The militarisation of assistance? Issues and themes arising from third party militaries
assuming humanitarian roles (EU, NATO and UN OCHA approaches).
7. Operational dilemmas and Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC).
8. Issues arising from warlordism, state failure and the political economy of violence.
9. Themes arising from the legal framework in which humanitarian action takes place:
international humanitarian law and the law of belligerent occupation.
10. Intervention Case Study: Rwanda (1994).
11. Intervention Case Study: Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992-1995).
12. Intervention Case Study: Kosovo (1999).
13. Intervention Case Study: Afghanistan (2001).
14. Intervention Case Study: Iraq (2003) and the Global War on Terror.
15. Intervention Case Study: The DRC (2002 -2004)
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The class will be taught in seminars. The seminars will consist of student presentations as
well as guided group discussions with occasional short lectures by the unit convenor.
Students are expected to develop their knowledge of the subject through a high level of
independent study which will inform the class discussions.
The presentations, essays and exams are designed to test student’s knowledge, their
ability to think critically and analytically in a variety of environments.
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Contact hours
Autumn
Spring
Summer
Lectures
Tutorials/seminars
Practicals
Other contact (e.g.
study visits )
8
0
0
7
0
0
0
Total hours
16
14
Number of essays
or assignments
1 summative essay + 1
1 formative essay if
taken as the core
module
1 seminar
1 seminar
presentation
presentation
Other (e.g. major
seminar paper)
0
0
Assessment:
Coursework
Two summative essays (whose combined total equals 7,000 words) each contributing
25% of grade for the module.
Relative percentage of coursework: 50%
Penalties for late submission:
Deduction of 10 marks for submission of up to a week after the deadline; thereafter a
mark of 0 will be awarded.
Examination:
One three-hour examination.
Requirements for a pass: 50%
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-sit examinations take place in September or in May of the following year
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