Module:

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

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Module Title
Module Code	(ITS: GY215)
Faculty		School
NFQ level		Credit Rating

Description

Building on the concepts of sustainable development, citizenship and human rights, this course surveys humanitarian action in contexts of development from different geographical and geopolitical perspectives including human vulnerability, and risk of disaster. Humanitarian emergencies can be due to natural (e.g. earthquake, flood), human made (e.g. war, genocide, human rights abuse), and technological (e.g., nuclear and chemical accidents), or complex causes as with combinations of drought and war. The negative impact of such disasters is proportional to the level of development of the population affected. However there are major differences in the type of humanitarian assistance given to these populations often due to geopolitical factors. Ireland and the EU’s role in Humanitarian Action as well as case studies will be discussed. The course is divided into three major parts: (A) Development, Vulnerability and Risks; (B) Geopolitical Perspectives: Humanitarian Disasters and Actions; and (C) Conflict and Post-Conflict: Frameworks and Case Studies.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1DDFE21B-048C-0001-D326-1C1D4980F3A0
2. Analyse how relationships between physical environments and human geography intertwine creating processes at various scales - local to global – but within specific development and risk contexts, and how this is related to humanitarian action.
5. 1
6. 1DDFE21B-08F8-0001-AAA3-A8601C001BFC
7. Understand, research and use sources and methodologies in the geography of development and disaster management
10. 2
11. 1DDFE21B-09A8-0001-717B-1200C0D01C4F
12. Relate holistic environmental, physical and human geographical perspectives to humanitarian crises and actions
15. 3
16. 1DDFE21B-0CC6-0001-2564-F240C32255E0
17. Develop analyses of humanitarian aid from geopolitical perspectives and write reports
20. 4
21. 1DDFE21B-0E9D-0001-8D7A-16281D1B1A73
22. Assess IGOs and NGOs specializing in emergencies such as UNHCR and INEE (Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies)
25. 5

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	26	Attending formal lectures and participating in virtual seminars
Assignment Completion	24	Report: Planning, research and delivery of report Preparation for quizzes or Project report
Independent Study	40	Independent reading and research
Independent Study	35	Exam preparation and private study
Total Workload: 125

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Report - computer based research on set topic such as UNDP Human Development Index data. Or in lieu, and with approval of module co-ordinator, report including in-field research eg. visit/interview with NGO or similar	25%	As required
Short Answer Questions	Quizzes	25%	As required
Formal Examination	Formal examination	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Key geographical concepts and theories
Relating to environment, development, humanitarian action, geopolitics, conflict and peacebuilding from local to international actors and scales

Causes and categories of conflict

Demography, famine and sustainable development

International organizations: governmental and non-governmental and international humanitarian law

The EU and Ireland’s role in humanitarian emergencies

Planning and conducting research on report writing

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Allen, T. and A. Thomas (eds.): 2004, Poverty and Development into the 21st Century, Oxford University Press,
Dodds, K.: 2014, Geopolitics: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, London,
Regan, C. (eds.): 2012, 80:20 Development in an Unequal World. Dublin: 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World, Ireland and the University of South Africa Press,
McGuire, B.: 2014, Global Catastrophes: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, London,
O’Reilly, G.: 2014, What is Ireland’s role in relation to international humanitarian crises and disasters? Geographical Viewpoint. 41, pp. 3-17,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None