Conflicts, Humanitarian Intervention and Reconstruction G (8763.4)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Conflicts, Humanitarian Intervention and Reconstruction G
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Arts & Communication Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
This unit will provide an understanding of the complex ethical, legal, social and political features of military and humanitarian interventions and the challenges of post-conflict and post-disaster reconstruction. The unit will explore academic and policy debates surrounding such interventions, examine the theoretical frameworks and conceptual tools developed to assess and analyse the issues and events that provoke intervention. The unit will focus on a series of recent case studies to better unpack the practical and policy challenges presented by humanitarian interventions and reconstruction missions, including the international laws, treaties and norms that guide and shape such missions, as well as the current practices of government and non-government agencies in the field.


Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand the complex ethical, legal, social and political features of humanitarian interventions and post-conflict and post-disaster reconstruction;
2. Engage with academic and policy debates surrounding humanitarian interventions and reconstruction;
3. Understand the potential and the limitations of humanitarian intervention addressing human security and development issues in conflict and post-conflict settings;
4. Understand practical and policy challenges presented by humanitarian interventions and reconstruction missions, including technical aspects such as food, health and sanitation;
5. Understand the international laws, treaties and norms that guide and shape such missions, and the current practices of government and non-government agencies in the field; and
6. Demonstrate the skills required to articulate and present critique appropriate for studies at post-graduate level.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware


Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Incompatible units

None

Equivalent units

None

Assumed knowledge

None
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Bilquis Ghani
Not available

Required texts

Each week's reading material is available in the module section for each week and under the Reading List Tab on the Units Canvas site.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence

Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as indicated in the assessment instructions for this unit, as well as Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Links to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI Links to an external site..

 

Special assessment requirements

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a Master's level course involves balancing institutional policy, pedagogical goals, and the practical realities of the humanitarian sector in 2026.

1.   Institutional Alignment (UC Policy 2026) and rationale

According to the University of Canberra's 2026 Generative AI (GenAI) position, the decision rests to the Coordinator to determine if, when, and how it is used for each specific assessment.

·       Default Rule: Students are generally prohibited from using GenAI unless explicitly permitted in the Unit Outline or for specific tasks.

·       Permitted Use: If allowed, the student must also reference the AI service or platform used.

·       Authenticity Checks: UC utilizes Turnitin's AI writing detection and may conduct Learning Validation Conversations (LVCs)—oral interviews to verify a student truly understands their submitted work.

The "Triple Nexus" of conflict, democracy, and development requires high-level synthesis that AI often struggles to do with total accuracy. On the one hand, AI is already used in humanitarian sectors for crisis mapping, data analysis, and predictive analytics. On the other hand, it is biased about sensitive geopolitical conflicts. Moreover, it erodes critical thinking which precisely is the objective of the assignments. Finally, in conflict zones, AI-generated disinformation can endanger operations; students must learn to verify sources manually.

2.   Rules for use of AI in this subject

This subject has been intentionally designed to assess your human intelligence and critical analysis across three distinct formats. While the University of Canberra recognizes GenAI as a valuable professional tool, its use in this unit is a privilege that requires absolute transparency.

The "Disclose When in Doubt" Rule: To avoid academic misconduct, any substantive use of GenAI must be accompanied by an "AI Usage Statement and Reflective Appendix". Failure to disclose use may result in an allegation of misconduct. The goal is to shift the focus from simply "getting the answer" to "how you engineered the solution"—a vital skill for any 2026 Master's graduate.

·       Assignment 1 (Aid Proposal): AI-Assisted (Limited)

o   Allowed: Student may choose to use UC-approved tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) for brainstorming project themes, drafting structural outlines, or exploring potential budget/MEL indicators.

o   Requirement: If a student choose to use AI, an AI Usage Statement and Reflective Appendix is mandatory. Student must document your prompts, name the tool used, and—most importantly—provide a human justification for why you accepted or rejected specific AI suggestions.

 

·       Assignment 2 (Critical Essay): AI Prohibited

o   Constraint: To ensure the development of your own academic voice and critical synthesis, the use of GenAI is prohibited for this task.

o   Verification: Submissions that appear generic or return high AI-detection scores will be subject to a Learning Validation Conversation (LVC). This is a 10–15 minute formal discussion where you must demonstrate your understanding of the concepts and the research process behind your work.

 

·       Assignment 3 (Simulation): Human-Centric

o   Constraint: As this task requires real-time strategic decision-making and oral defense, it is naturally "AI-resistant".

o   Rule: GenAI is strictly prohibited for the preparation of your written official statements to ensure the simulation accurately reflects your independent learning.

Supplementary assessment

N/A

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

The Unit is delivered on Campus.

Participation requirements

Regular attendance at seminars is strongly recommended. A full appreciation of the material and engagement with peers, both required for the assessment tasks, are hindered without regular attendance. The Unit Convenor will manage the attendance records.

Students who attend campus for class or other purposes must play their part in keeping our campus and community safe by following these basic guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission:

  • Practise good hand hygiene, washing hands regularly;
  • If you cough or sneeze, please do so into the crook of your elbow, dispose of tissues immediately and wash your hands immediately.
  • Practise effective physical distancing;
  • Follow all directions of teaching and other UC staff regarding safety measures;
  • Stay off campus if you are unwell and get tested according to ACT Government guidelines, and 
  • Follow University communications about campus arrangements https://www.canberra.edu.au/coronavirus-advice

Required IT skills

  • Students are expected to have a basic level of word-processing competency and be able to present their assignments electronically.
  • Students must also be proficient at using the internet, electronic library databases, and the unit Canvas page, including uploading assessments.

In-unit costs

None

Work placement, internships or practicums

None