Disasters in Complex Political Emergencies - HEA00100M
Related modules
Additional information
Important note: module pre-requisite
Please note that the requirement to complete Global Public Health as a pre-requisite for this module applies only to students on the Master of Public Health. It does not apply to students on the MSc International Humanitarian Affairs.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| B | Spring Term 2025-26 |
Module aims
Based on the argument that natural hazards create disasters when they collide with human beings, this module will examine disasters in complex political emergencies. Examining case studies from Sri Lanka (2004 tsunami and the conflict), Aceh (2004 tsunami and the conflict), Somalia (2004 tsunami and the conflict) and Central African Republic (famine and the conflict), the module aims to encourage students to examine and understand the double-bind catastrophe that people are facing through disasters in complex political emergencies. Further, the module will deliver a deep-level learning of the political (national and international), social, cultural, economic and environmental aspects of field realities.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
- Students will link the challenges and problems in disasters within complex political emergencies.
- Students will critically engage with existing policies on complex political emergencies to develop ways to incorporate disaster responses.
- Students will understand the complexity of humanitarian responses to conflicts and disasters.
Academic and graduate skills
- Students will link different concepts to strengthen humanitarian responses.
- Students will understand complexity in designing, managing, monitoring and evaluating humanitarian responses to disasters and conflicts.
- Students will learn new skills to develop policy and practice to respond to disasters in complex political emergencies.
Module content
This module will provide the opportunity for students to understand the complex nature of disasters in complex political emergencies as an emerging challenge in humanitarian responses.
As a thematic area of the humanitarian discourse, it is important that the students in this module are familiar with the key publications in the field. BY developing an annotated bibliography for formative assessment, students will be able to familiarise themselves with the literature, as well as being able to use them in their essay.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Written feedback will be provided on the standard proforma within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.
Indicative reading
Duffield, M. (1996) The symphony of the demand: radical discourse, complex political emergencies and humanitarian aid. Disasters, 20 (3), p. 173-193.
O'Dempsey, T. and Musnlow, B. (2009) 'Mind the gap!' rethinking the role of health in the emergency and development divide. The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 24 (S1), p.21-29.
Harris, K., Keen, D. and Mitchell, T. (2013) When disasters and conflicts collide. Overseas Development Institute, 2013.