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Course Syllabus

Master 2026/2027

Humanitarian Actions

ID 1132320

Type: Elective course (Politics. Economics. Philosophy)
Delivered by: School of Politics and Governance
Where: Faculty of Social Sciences
When: 2 year, 1, 2 module
Open to: students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors: Georgy Tyulyaev
Language: English
ECTS credits: 6
Contact hours: 40

Course Syllabus

Full SyllabusAsk Question

Abstract

The course runs through existing legal and political modes of humanitarian actions and humanitarian assistance. Course content is divided into two sections, which are International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and development of disaster relief. The modes of armed conflicts are investigated from the perspective of liaison between IHL and Human Rights Law. Applicability of the Geneva Conventions 1949 to different types of armed conflicts is discussed. The course introduces methodology applied for legal analysis of humanitarian aid and responsibility to protect. A wider perspective on the international law basis for humanitarian assistance is given through the lens of UN humanitarian activities and objectives, humanitarian actions of International Committee of the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations. Finally, introduction to IHL and disaster relief education is highlighted. In memory of professor Sanjay Kumar Rajhans (June 7, 1974 — July 21, 2021).
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • To equip students with the general knowledge of theoretical concepts and applicability of international law to humanitarian crises focusing on International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and legal framework for humanitarian actions
  • To provide deeper insights into international procedure: International Criminal Court and the Rome Statute, International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and its impact on International Humanitarian Law
  • To give a global outlook on humanitarian aid: water, sanitation and food security on the international and national levels
  • To evaluate further development of International Relief Law and educational perspectives in the domains of IHL and disaster relief
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • To align with the up-to-date opportunities of IHL and disaster relief education
  • To analyze and explain actions undertaken in framework of humanitarian aid and assistance
  • To be aware of the court practice relating to the key concepts of the International Humanitarian Law and customary law governing the rules of warfare in accordance with categorization of the armed conflicts
  • To get deeper insights into the UN system of humanitarian assistance and its role on the global socio-political map
  • To have the substantial knowledge of International Humanitarian Law, International Relief Law and Regulations and Refugee Laws analytical tools for applying international norms and rules of international procedure
  • To obtain theoretical framework for analysis of humanitarian actions undertaken by international, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • International Public Law and Humanitarian Assistance
  • Law of Armed Conflicts. Principles and Rules
  • Protection of Civilians
  • Responsibility of States
  • International Criminal Law and Proceedings
  • Food Security
  • Disaster Relief and International Refugee Law
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Участие в семинарах
    Участие в онлайн-семинарах, обсуждение литературы и тем лекций.
  • non-blocking Итоговое эссе
    Подготовлено итоговое эссе по дисциплине.
  • non-blocking Групповая презентация
  • non-blocking Игровой процесс
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2026/2027 2nd module
    0.2 * Групповая презентация + 0.05 * Участие в семинарах + 0.4 * Итоговое эссе + 0.3 * Игровой процесс
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • An introduction to international criminal law and procedure, Cryer, R., 2019
  • Application of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in an armed conf..., , 2020
  • Becker, J. (2013). Campaigning for Justice : Human Rights Advocacy in Practice. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=713344
  • Bellamy, A. J. (n.d.). The Responsibility to Protect: Added value or hot air? Cooperation and Conflict, 48(3), 333–357. https://doi.org/10.1177/0010836713482448
  • Between peril and promise : the politics of international law, Rochester, J. M., 2012
  • Chesterman, S. (2011). “Leading from Behind”: The Responsibility to Protect, the Obama Doctrine, and Humanitarian Intervention after Libya. Ethics & International Affairs ; Volume 25, Issue 3, Page 279-285 ; ISSN 0892-6794 1747-7093. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0892679411000190
  • Disaster management : international lessons in risk reduction, response and recovery, , 2014
  • Effective and responsible protection from atrocity crimes [Elektronische Ressource] : toward global action ; findings and policy options from an international research project on “Global Norm Evolution and the Responsibility to Protect” / by Thorsten Benner ... Global Public Policy Institute. (2015). Berlin. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.444956557
  • Food security and sociopolitical stability, , 2016
  • Food security, McDonald, B. L., 2010
  • Handbook of international food and agricultural policies. Vol. 2: Policies for food safety and quality, improved nutrition, and food security, , 2018
  • International criminal law, Cassese, A., 2003
  • International law and the rescue of refugees at sea, Ratcovich, M., 2019
  • International law, Shaw, M. N., 2017
  • Kimberley N. Trapp. (2011). State Responsibility for International Terrorism. OUP Oxford.
  • Pattison, J. (2010). Outsourcing the responsibility to protect: humanitarian intervention and private military and security companies. International Theory ; Volume 2, Issue 1, Page 1-31 ; ISSN 1752-9719 1752-9727. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1752971909990224
  • Principles of international criminal law, Werle, G., 2009
  • Public International Law, Blackwell, O., 1998
  • Refugee economies : forced displacement and development, , 2017
  • Reparations to Palestinian refugees : a comparative perspective, Samy, S., 2010
  • The challenge of food security : international policy and regulatory frameworks, , 2012
  • The international law commission's articles on state responsibility : introduction, text and commentaries, Crawford, J., 2003
  • The making of the modern refugee, Gatrell, P., 2015
  • The Nurenberg Military Tribunals and the origins of international criminal law, Heller, K. J., 2012

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Armed conflict and displacement : the protection of refugees and displaced persons under international humanitarian law, Jacques, M., 2012
  • Cantor, D., & Durieux, J.-F. (2014). Refuge From Inhumanity? War Refugees and International Humanitarian Law. Leiden: Brill | Nijhoff. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=815492
  • Chowdhury, A. R., & Bhuiyan, J. H. (2010). An Introduction to International Human Rights Law. Leiden: Brill | Nijhoff. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=351145
  • Defence counsel in international criminal law, Tuinstra, J., 2009
  • Forced migration and mental health : rethinking the care of refugees and displaced persons, , 2005
  • Institutionalizing state responsibility : global security and UN organs, Proulx, V.-J., 2016
  • International criminal law and philosophy, , 2010
  • International criminal law, O'Keefe, R., 2017
  • International human rights and humanitarian law, Provost, R., 2003
  • International humanitarian law and the International Red cross and Red Crescent Movement, , 2012
  • International humanitarian law, , 2017
  • International refugee law and socio-economic rights : refuge from deprivation, Foster, M., 2009
  • Kumar, R. V. (DE-588)1149278412, (DE-627)1009595725, (DE-576)496620169, aut. (2019). The International Committee of the Red Cross in Internal Armed Conflicts Is Neutrality Possible? by Rajeesh Kumar. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.511568479
  • Public international law : contemporary principles and perspectives, Boas, G., 2012
  • Re-thinking water and food security : fourth Botin Fondation water workshop, , 2010
  • Refugees, citizenship and social policy in Europe, , 1999
  • Rethinking agricultural policy regimes : food security, climate change and the future resilience of global agriculture, , 2012
  • Rethinking refugees : beyond states of emergecy, Nyers, P., 2006
  • Tharoor, S. (1999). Are Human Rights Universal? World Policy Journal, 16(4), 1. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=asn&AN=2717057
  • The economic life of refugees, Jacobsen, K., 2005
  • World agricultural resources and food security : international food security, , 2017
  • ZIEGLER, C. E. (2016). Contesting the Responsibility to Protect. International Studies Perspectives, 17(1), 75–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/insp.12085

Authors

  • ULDANOV ARTYOM ALEKSANDROVICH
  • TYULYAEV GEORGY SERGEEVICH