Teaching Human Security

Canadian Consortium on Human Security

Teaching Human Security (THS) is a resource designed for use by professors, policy-makers and researchers who are interested in teaching a course on human security or incorporating human security-related content into their curriculum. It contains a concise list of nine human security-related courses currently or very recently taught in either English or French at institutions across Canada. These courses have been listed in alphabetical order by instructor's surname. Each course syllabus is available for download, providing some of the leading contemporary issues in human security studies.

Professeurs du cours:

Titre et numéro du cours:

Université:

Département:

Dernière session:

Abstrait

Les catastrophes, humaines ou environnementales, frappent régulièrement les pays les plus pauvres et les moins développés de la planète. Compte tenu du nombre et de l’ampleur des crises humanitaires, du rôle des différents acteurs internationaux dans la préparation et la réponse humanitaire, ce cours porte sur le processus lié aux crises humanitaires, issues des conflits ou des catastrophes naturelles, jusqu’à la réponse et les interventions mise en oeuvre. Il vise à analyser les causes des crises humanitaires et des politiques étrangères, de sécurité humaine, de militarisation de l’aide humanitaire et des organisations internationales et non- gouvernementales.

Télécharger le syllabus

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Course Instructor:

Course Title and Number:

University:

Department:

Instructor’s Email:

Abstract

The Canadian Forces have been involved in the peace support and reconstruction operations in fractured, war-torn societies for decades. In fact, the vast majority of the international operations in post-WW II CF history have been Peace Support Operations (PSOs; sometimes called peacekeeping or peace operations), which often part of nation-building. These operations have evolved over time from early UN observer missions (UNTSO in Palestine) to interpositional forces (e.g., UNEF in the Sinai) to multidimensional operations (Cambodia, Bosnia), and Transitional Administrations (Kosovo, Timor). As new roles were added to deal with protracted conflicts, the complexity, players, dangers and hardships increased. As many cases have shown, nation-building (NB) is a difficult long-term process requiring great civil-military cooperation. Cases of PSO/NB successes (Namibia, Central America) and failures (Somalia, Rwanda) will be analyzed, as will the most recent operations (Afghanistan, Sudan and Haiti). Contributions from NATO, naval and air forces have changed the character of PSOs. Is another evolutionary step around the corner? What has been learned from recent experience in Iraq and Afghanistan? How does emerging doctrine and concepts (e.g., three block war) relate to traditional practice? The increasingly robust character of peacekeeping will be considered in light of protection requirements and inherent limitations on the use of force.

Download Syllabus

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Course Instructors:

Course Title and Number:

University:

Department:

Instructors’ Emails:

Last date taught:

Abstract

Though not in the mainstream of security discourse or policy activity, human security has attracted considerable attention and been defined in many ways, ranging from broad definitions that concentrate on a wide range of threats to human well being to narrower definitions that focus on protection of individuals (or groups) from violence in conflict situations.

The seminar surveys several approaches to human security but focuses on the ethical, analytical, policy and operational dimensions of the “narrower” definition often associated with the “Canadian” or “freedom from fear” approach. Students are not required to accept this narrower definition – indeed they are encouraged to challenge it – but they do need to understand its analytic logic and policy implications.

The seminar pays special attention to the idea of the “responsibility to protect” as developed by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. The premise of the course is that the “responsibility to protect” concept marks a potential watershed in the theory and practice of human security. It is far from universally accepted but nevertheless opens fundamental issues related to trans-boundary obligations of states, citizens and civil societies; relations between states and citizens; principles of sovereignty and non-interference; and instruments for global governance including the new diplomacy of coalitions of the willing.

Download Syllabus

-------------------------------------------------------------

Course Instructor:

Course Title and Number:

University:

Department:

Instructor’s Email:

Last date taught:

Abstract

This course will explore a series of human security issues drawing on the perspectives of key governmental, international and non-governmental actors. It will examine substantive policy agendas designed to increase the safety of individuals from physical violence and armed conflict including: cluster munitions and small arms; the protection of civilians and the responsibility to protect; women, peace and security; international criminal justice and war economies.

The bulk of the emphasis will be placed on the processes through which a diverse set of actors develop global public policy responses by articulating new policy agendas, defining policy recommendations, building governmental and non-governmental coalitions, negotiating international agreements, and monitoring and evaluating policy implementation. Attention will be given to assessing policy development strategies appropriate to the various stages of the public policy cycle, and to results-based approaches to effectively utilizing scarce resources.

Download Syllabus

--------------------------------------------------------------

Course Instructor:

Course Title and Number:

This seminar will explore the main debates and dilemmas of human security, utilizing focused debate and case study approaches. The former will include consideration of national vs. human security, of popular sovereignty vs state sovereignty, of intervention vs. non-interference, and of the responsibility to protect vs. the duty to prevent. Case studies to be explored (depending on student interest) may include Sudan, Darfur, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, North Korea, Haiti, and Afghanistan.

Download Syllabus

-----------------------------------------------------------------