ANTHROPOLOGY OF HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTIONS

This course is for students who want to dig into the socio-cultural side of humanitarian action. By the end of it, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze Humanitarianism's Evolution: Understand historical changes in the concept of humanitarianism in response to global crises.
  
• Apply Ethnographic Methods: Utilize ethnographic approaches to evaluate case studies and intervention strategies from both affected individuals and aid workers' perspectives.
  
• Critically Assess Humanitarian Actors: Examine how various organizations frame global issues and local needs, including their underlying cultural and ethical assumptions.
  
• Interpret Humanitarian Policies: Analyze policies related to human rights violations, disaster recovery, and refugee crises through a culturally informed lens.
  
• Identify Power Dynamics: Recognize the global and local power structures that influence interactions among communities, humanitarian organizations, and local authorities.
  
• Envision New Roles for Social Scientists: Consider innovative ways political and social scientists can engage in humanitarian work beyond traditional roles.

This course fosters an interactive learning environment where we’ll dive into engaging discussions, watch relevant films, collaborate on papers based on assigned readings, and hear from guest speakers. Field visits will enhance our understanding, and you'll complete a final written assignment to tie everything together.

Your active participation is crucial—this means engaging in discussions and fully immersing yourself in the course materials. Attendance, consistency, punctuality, and your contributions to class will all play a significant role in shaping your overall assessment and final grade.

Support for Diverse Abilities
I believe in equal opportunities. If you have diverse abilities or special needs, reach out for a personal interview to discuss how we can best support your learning goals. You can also contact CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration).

Humanitarian interventions are a crucial topic in today’s global politics. Professionals like lawyers, doctors, social workers, and activists are stepping up to defend human rights and public health in crisis situations, navigating complex systems and funding mechanisms.

In this course, we’ll investigate humanitarian governance through an anthropological lens, focusing on how the concept of “humanitarianism” has evolved in response to global crises, particularly in the Mediterranean.

You’ll work with ethnographic case studies across various contexts—from disaster relief to post-war recovery—addressing issues like migration, environmental crises, human rights violations, and care for internally displaced persons (IDPs). We’ll examine how concepts such as vulnerability, emergency, and justice are discussed and practiced, highlighting the anthropological implications of humanitarian work.

We’ll start with some essential readings for everyone (listed below), and additional materials will be assigned throughout the course.

Here’s how you’ll be evaluated:

• Participation (25%): Join discussions and demonstrate your understanding of the readings. Come prepared to engage with supplementary materials like articles and films.
  
• Facilitation (25%): Sign up to lead discussions in 1-2 seminars. Prepare a 15-minute commentary on the readings and finish with a couple of open-ended questions for the group.
  
• Final Paper (50%): Write a final paper showcasing your critical thinking and engagement with course materials. Aim for 7-10 pages (double-spaced), following the structure I’ll provide at the end of the course.

When preparing for a seminar or writing a paper, it’s crucial to clarify the main argument and goal of the discussion. Understanding what the author is trying to convey will guide your analysis and engagement with the material. As you dive into the readings, consider the evidence the author provides to support their argument. Evaluating this evidence helps assess the argument's strength—ask yourself whether you find the argument solid and why or why not.

Next, reflect on the analytical lens being employed. What key concepts or theories are at play? This will deepen your understanding of the framework within which the discussion occurs.

Additionally, the practical learning experiences gained from field visits will be invaluable. These outings provide the opportunity to observe real-world applications of the theories discussed in class. You'll engage directly with communities and situations that illuminate the complexities of humanitarian action and social work, enhancing your ability to critically analyze and reflect on your experiences.

Lastly, think about the anthropological insights you’ve gained through these readings, discussions, and field experiences. What new perspectives have emerged for you, and how do they relate to broader themes in anthropology? Engaging with these questions will not only enhance your comprehension but also enrich your contributions to class discussions, making the learning experience both dynamic and impactful.