Students

PICX915 – Humanitarian Intervention and Peacekeeping

2017 – S2 OUA

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Andrew Tan
Contact via 98506898
Level 2, Hearing Hub
By email appointment: andrew.tan@mq.edu.au
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Since the end of the Cold War the nature and scale of humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations and regional bodies have become a key feature of the evolving international security environment. Why these operations occur, who authorises them, who become involved, what underpins them from a legal and ethical perspective and what challenges they face will all be examined and critically analysed in this unit. In addition, an evaluation of theories behind concepts such as responsibility to protect and their practical application through a series of case studies will provide students with a deep understanding of this crucial dynamic of the 21st century. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Be familiar with and possess the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping.
  • The development of a strong conceptual and empirical awareness of humanitarian intervention.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills.
  • The ability to write a major essay that makes an argument showing an interpretation of a humanitarian intervention issue.

General Assessment Information

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy. Extensions will not in normal circumstances be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Disruption to Study: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/manage_your_study_program/disruption_to_studies/

 

 

 

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late.
  • For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20).
  • The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.

 

 

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.
  • If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Minor Essay 20% No Sunday 3 September
Annotated Bibliography 20% No Monday 2 October
Major Essay 60% No Sunday 29 October

Minor Essay

Due: Sunday 3 September
Weighting: 20%

Detailed information about this assignment can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

You must read this information before attempting the assignment.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with and possess the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping.
  • The development of a strong conceptual and empirical awareness of humanitarian intervention.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills.

Annotated Bibliography

Due: Monday 2 October
Weighting: 20%

Detailed information about this assignment can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

You must read this information before attempting the assignment.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with and possess the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping.
  • The development of a strong conceptual and empirical awareness of humanitarian intervention.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills.

Major Essay

Due: Sunday 29 October
Weighting: 60%

Detailed information about this assignment can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

You must read this information before attempting the assignment.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with and possess the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping.
  • The development of a strong conceptual and empirical awareness of humanitarian intervention.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills.
  • The ability to write a major essay that makes an argument showing an interpretation of a humanitarian intervention issue.

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in Ilearn discussion forums and preparing assessments.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities.
  • In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

 

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.

 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

 

STAFF AVAILABILITY

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.

 

Unit Schedule

See the iLearn website for the weekly schedule of topics and readings.

Here is a summary of the topics:

Week 1: Introduction

Week 2: The Rise of Humanitarian Intervention and Peacekeeping

Week 3: Moral and Legal Dimensions of Humanitarian Intervention

Week 4: UN and Humanitarian Intervention 

Week 5: UN Peacekeeping

Week 6: NGOs and PSCs in Conflict Environments

Week 7: Intervention Failures in Somalia and Rwanda

Week 8: Intervention Successes in Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast

Week 9: Interventions in Iraq

Week 10: Intervention in Libya

Week 11: The UN, Peacebuilding and Afghanistan

Week 12: Outsourcing Interventions and East Timor

Week 13: Syria and the Future of Humanitarian Intervention

Policies and Procedures

Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Extension Request

Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

  1. were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
  2. were beyond your control
  3. caused substantial disruption to your academic work
  4. substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
  5. lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:

  1. Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
  2. Fill in your relevant details
  3. Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
  4. Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process

Outcome

Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.

OUA Specific Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal from a unit after the census date

You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.

If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.

If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills.
  • The ability to write a major essay that makes an argument showing an interpretation of a humanitarian intervention issue.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor Essay
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Major Essay

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be familiar with and possess the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping.
  • The development of a strong conceptual and empirical awareness of humanitarian intervention.
  • The ability to write a major essay that makes an argument showing an interpretation of a humanitarian intervention issue.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor Essay
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Major Essay

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be familiar with and possess the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills.
  • The ability to write a major essay that makes an argument showing an interpretation of a humanitarian intervention issue.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor Essay
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Major Essay

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be familiar with and possess the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills.
  • The ability to write a major essay that makes an argument showing an interpretation of a humanitarian intervention issue.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor Essay
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Major Essay

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be familiar with and possess the ability to critically evaluate the scholarship on humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills, critical analysis, and persuasive scholarly writing skills.
  • The ability to write a major essay that makes an argument showing an interpretation of a humanitarian intervention issue.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor Essay
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Major Essay

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • The development of a strong conceptual and empirical awareness of humanitarian intervention.
  • The ability to write a major essay that makes an argument showing an interpretation of a humanitarian intervention issue.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor Essay
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Major Essay