COURSE DESCRIPTION
Grading: This course will be graded on a PASS/FAIL scale
The course offers students both theoretical and practical knowledge on the basic skills, competencies and qualities required to lead an effective response in humanitarian crises. It creates a foundation for understanding why it is important for humanitarian leaders to use emotional intelligence when sharing a common operational space with a broad range of stakeholders (i.e. Government, military, police, private sector).
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT
The primary aim of the course is to introduce students to the humanitarian ecosystem. The central research questions in the course address the common set of leadership challenges and opportunities facing humanitarian leaders in countries affected by humanitarian crises, such as complex emergencies or natural hazards. The course offers students both theoretical and practical knowledge to identify and practice basic skills for communicating and building trust across cultures and with diverse stakeholders’ groups.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• cultivate an understanding of how the humanitarian ecosystem is organized and humanitarian assistance and protection activities implemented;
• appraise challenges and opportunities of different leadership styles in humanitarian crises;
• recognise key humanitarian leaders across contemporary humanitarian crises;
• apply emotional leadership techniques.
TEXTBOOK
NONE. See list of readings.
GRADING POLICY
This course will be graded on a PASS/FAIL scale
Assessment methods
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Assignment
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Guidelines
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Weight
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Participation in class discussion
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15%
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Learning Reinforcers
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15%
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Field Visit Debate
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30%
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Final Paper
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Students will draft a 500-word critical text about one Humanitarian Leader in past or contemporary humanitarian crises.
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40%
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Course Schedule
Week 1:
A brief introduction to the humanitarian ecosystem: international assistance and protection in contemporary humanitarian crises.
Week 2:
Introduction to emotional leadership in humanitarian settings (skills, competencies, and key activities). Humanitarian Leaders testimonials /interviews.
Week 3:
Effective communication and influencing techniques in support of humanitarian leadership. Theory and practical exercises.
Week 4:
Field Visit to a UN Agency based in Rome to debate the theme of Emotional Leadership in Humanitarian Crises.
Course Bibliography
Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). Leadership in Humanitarian Action: Handbook for Humanitarian Coordinators, 2024.
Slim, Hugo. Solferino 21: Warfare, Civilians and Humanitarians in the Twenty-First Century, 2022.
The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response, 2018.
United Nations OCHA. Global Humanitarian Overview 2024
United Nations Resolution 46/182. Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian emergency assistance of the United Nations, 1991
Assessment criteria: [If different from the below, please use the official criteria for the field]
Grade A characteristics:
Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
Grade B characteristics:
This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments
Grade C characteristics:
This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
Grade D characteristics:
This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
Grade F characteristics:
This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
Grade scale [Please include this. This scale follows standard university policy]
A = 94- 100% B = 84-86% C- = 70-73%
A- = 90-93% B- = 80-83% D+ = 67-69%
B+ = 87-89% C+ = 77-79% D = 60-66%
C = 74-76% F = 0-59%
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is compulsory. Students are allowed to do 1 absence throughout the course.
Examination policy
A major exam (midterm or final) cannot be made up without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy