Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
The Human Security field focuses on the protection and promotion of well-being of civilians, as individuals and communities. Human security research and practice rests at the intersection of human rights, conflict analysis and resolution, development studies, and humanitarian studies. It especially identifies people at risk of either physical or emotional harm/exploitation, and seeks to understand how such risks can be prevented or mitigated by empowerment of civilians as well as by encouraging responsible and accountable governance.
This focus differentiates it from traditional security studies, which is more concerned about domestic and foreign policy use of force by the state. Human security is intended as a complement to, rather than a replacement of, traditional security studies. To best study human security, an explicitly multi-disciplinary lens is required. It therefore draws upon multiple analytic frameworks, including those from history, anthropology, gender studies, sociology, and psychology as well as the fields listed above.
Field Advisor(s)
Research Centers
Gender Analysis and Women’s Leadership Program
Field Requirements
MALD and MIB: 4 courses in field of study
MGA: 5 courses in field of study
Total Credits Required
MALD and MIB: 12.0 credits
MGA: 15.0 credits plus Practicum
-
DHP D230 Humanitarian Action in Complex Emergencies
DHP P295 Introduction to Human Security
DHP P297 Engaging Human Security
-
DHP D202 Contemporary Critical Theory on International Issues
DHP D206 U.S. Diplomatic Tradecraft
DHP D207 Religion and Conflict in International Relations: Policymaking Assumptions, Analysis and Design
DHP D213 International Humanitarian Response
DHP D223 Theories of Conflict and Conflict Resolution
DHP D231 Gender and Human Security in Transitional States and Societies
DHP D232 Gender, Culture and Conflict in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
DHP D234 Humanitarian Leadership: The Political and Policy Challenges of Being in Charge
DHP D235M Overview of Research Methods
DHP D237 Nutrition in Complex Emergencies: Policies, Practice and Decision-making
DHP D238 Current Issues in Global Immigration Policy
DHP D239 Forced Migration
DHP D240 Children, Violence, Protection and Resilience
DHP D241 Climate and Migration
DHP D242 Famine, Livelihoods, and Resilience: Food Security Analysis and Response in Crisis
DHP D266 Peace and Democratization Processes: Cross-Comparative Perspectives
DHP H250 Global Decolonization
DHP P202M Security Sector Reform: Conceptual and Contextual Debates in Peacebuilding
DHP P207 GIS for International Application
DHP P221 Memory Politics: Truth, Justice, and Redress
DHP P222 Development Aid in Policy and Practice
DHP P225 Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation
DHP P228M Advanced Evaluation and Learning in International Organizations
DHP P246M Civil Resistance
DHP P252 Global Water Security Perspectives
DHP P293 Democracy and State Reform in Latin America
DHP P295 Introduction to Human Security
DHP P297 Engaging Human Security
DHP P298 Conflict in Africa
EIB B230 Managing NGOs and Social Enterprises
EIB E241 Development Economics: Policy Analysis
ILO L210 International Human Rights Law
ILO L213 International Criminal Justice
ILO L214M Transitional Justice
ILO L216 International Humanitarian Law
ILO L217 International Law and Migration
ILO L224 Conflict Management Tools for International Organizations
-
One skills course is required for the MGA from the following list. MALD and MIB students may not use these courses as a field elective unless otherwise indicated above.
DHP D235M Overview of Research Methods
DHP D240 Children, Violence, Protection and Resilience
DHP P225 Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation
-
A practicum is required for MGA students.
-
Track options:
- Humanitarian
- Migration
- Conflict and Political Violence
Humanitarian
Required: DHP D230 Humanitarian Action in Complex Emergencies, plus a core course for the field
And two additional courses from the list below:
DHP D213 International Humanitarian Response
DHP D232 Gender, Culture and Conflict in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
DHP D234 Humanitarian Leadership: The Political and Policy Challenges of Being in Charge
DHP D237 Nutrition in Complex Emergencies: Policies, Practice and Decision-Making
DHP D239 Forced Migration
DHP D240 Children, Violence, Protection and Resilience
DHP D242 Famine, Livelihoods, and Resilience: Food Security Analysis and Response in Crisis
DHP P207 GIS for International Applications
ILO L216 International Humanitarian Law
Migration
Three electives from the list below, plus a core course for the field:
DHP D238 Current Issues in Global Immigration Policy
DHP D239 Forced Migration
DHP D241 Climate and Migration
DHP D232 Gender, Culture and Conflict in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
DHP D290 Migration and Transnationalism in Latin America
ILO 217 International Law and Migration
Conflict and Political Violence
Three electives from the list below, plus a core course for the field:
DHP D207 Religion and Conflict in International Relations: Policymaking Assumptions, Analysis and Design
DHP D240 Children, Violence, Protection and Resilience
DHP P220 Understanding Mass Atrocities
DHP P221 Memory Politics: Truth, Justice, and Redress
DHP P246M Civil Resistance: Global Implications of Nonviolent Struggles for Rights and Accountability
ILO L214M Transitional Justice
ILO L216 International Humanitarian Law
Faculty with expertise in the field:
Henry J. Leir Professor in Food Security and Research Director at the Feinstein International Center