This course offers practical training in the complex issues and field skills needed to engage in humanitarian work. Students will gain familiarity with the concepts and international standards for humanitarian response. While providing a solid theoretical foundation, the course will focus on practical skills such as conducting rapid assessments, ensuring field security, and interacting with aid agencies, the military, and the media during humanitarian crises.
The course culminates with a three-day intensive field simulation of a humanitarian crisis that will take place on Friday, April 29, 2022 (12:00-6:00 PM) and Saturday, April 30, 2022 (8:00 AM-6:00 PM); attendance required. This Spring 2022 semester the fee to cover camping gear hire, food, and other equipment costs has been waived.
The course starts January 26, 2022 and ends May 4, 2022. The course meets on the Harvard campus:
Class Time and Location Lectures (Part I) Wednesdays, 6-8pm EST, January 26-May 4 , 2022.
Location: Harvard Yard, Room 110 Fong Auditorium (Boylston Hall Building)
Simulation (Part II): Friday April 29th, 2022 (12:00- 6:00PM) and Saturday April 30th, 2022 (8:00AM- 6:00PM)
• Humanitarian response community and history
• International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law
• Sphere standards (shelter, water and sanitation, food security, health)
• Civil-military relations, media skills, logistics, and budgeting
• Monitoring and evaluation, accountability
• Personal security, metal health, stress, and teamwork
• Humanitarian technology, and crowdsourcing, and GPS skills
This course is cross-listed with The Fletcher School (D213) and enrollment is limited to 8 Friedman students and 10 Fletcher students. Priority enrollment for Friedman is given to: 1) FANPP students pursuing the Humanitarian Assistance Specialization, 2) MAHA students, 3) Graduating and Second-Year students, 4) First-Year students. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or instructor consent.
