Humanitarian Intervention and Civil Wars

Code

INTS4102

School

School of International Studies

Level

4

Credits

10

Semesters

Autumn China

Summary

This module will look at the consequences of interventions in humanitarian terms and more broadly for the international state system. It may look at intervention in theory and practice, or at theory on mass killing, and map to civil war cases since 1900. Case studies may include Armenia, Somalia, Kosovo, East Timor, Libya, and Syria. Key questions: What are some of the causes of civil wars and mass killings? Is humanitarian intervention a failed concept? What is going right, what is going wrong? Is intervention the best way to protect civilians being targeted in civil war and to express support for human rights and humanitarianism? Why and how do great powers exploit humanitarian crises, and what reasons may they have for intervening in civil wars?

Please note: This module is assessed at the end of Autumn semester.  First sit/ Re-sit exams are scheduled normally in the summer and can take the same form as the missing/ failed component of the assessment (exam, essay etc.) or other form, as decided by the School.

Target Students

Students enrolled in the MA programmes of the School of International Studies Available to JYA/Erasmus students.

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
• One 1-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks

Assessment

• 100% Coursework 1: 3000 word essay.

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

On the completion of this module, students should have acquired:•Intellectual skills (Knowledge and Understanding)- Evaluate past and present interventions, including humanitarian and local political impacts- Analyze the significance of international law, norms, organizations on interventions - Assess the significance of governments, media, and military power on interventions- Examine theory and practice of mass killing, ethnic warfare, genocide in 20th and 21st centuries- Examine various cases of humanitarian intervention, e.g. Somalia, Kosovo, Libya- Examine various cases of mass killing and genocide, e.g. Nazi Holocaust, Khmer Rouge (Cambodia) genocide, Rwanda genocide, Bosnia ethnic cleansing •Professional practical skills- Use various research methods to understand intervention, states’ justifications for using force- Develop theoretical understanding of mass killing and genocide, linked to 20th / 21st century cases- Critically examine the received media / pundit widsom on humanitarian crises and mass killing- Critically examine rationales employed by states for intervention, such as the Responsibility to Protect, just war theory, humanitarian and human rights law- Consider relevance and impact of “cosmopolitanism,’ which involves people extending their moral and political horizons beyond their nation-state to include citizens in / of other countries - Examine how powerful states can manipulate the law and media and public perceptions to justify armed actions that may or may not be cover for selfish national interests•Transferable (key) skills - Develop critical thinking, reading, and research skills- The ability to develop and sustain a written argument- Understanding of the role and impact of media, international law, international organizations, states on the internal conflicts and humanitarian emergencies we see occurring around us- Ability to analyze and discuss scholarly and policy-relevant literature- high level digital research skills (e.g. databases), collaborative activity- Be able to present and discuss complex issues before an audience- Awareness and understanding of the theory on mass killing, ethnic cleansing, genocide

Conveners

• Prof Joost Herman