Humanitarian Assistance and Health
PostgraduateACU-PUBH6412024
Course information for 2024 intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Humanitarian Assistance and Health
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of humanitarian principles, theory, definitions and law, as well as the history of humanitarianism (GA1, GA2, GA3, GA5);
- Compare and contrast health-related issues encountered in humanitarian assistance efforts (GA1, GA2, GA5);
- Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of various actors within the international humanitarian relief system (GA4, GA5, GA8);
- Critique current issues and debates in humanitarian assistance, particularly as they relate to health and humanitarian assistance in different contexts (GA4, GA6, GA8);
- Integrate public health methods and approaches with humanitarian crisis interventions, with an emphasis on supporting attainment of humanitarian objectives (GA1, GA2, GA5, GA6).
- Humanitarianism and humanitarian assistance
- Legal frameworks for humanitarian assistance
- Complex emergencies
- Challenges
Humanitarian assistance is intended to “save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity during and after man-made crises and disasters caused by natural hazards, as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for when such situations occur” (Development Initiatives 2022). It is governed by the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance continues to increase. Situations requiring humanitarian assistance are frequently complex emergencies, in which disaster, conflict and displacement occur simultaneously. Such complex emergencies have profound health effects. This unit will enable students to gain an understanding of humanitarian principles, theory and definitions, as well as an appreciation of the history of humanitarianism and significant events that have shaped modern humanitarian efforts. Emphasis will be placed on building an understanding of the global infrastructure for humanitarian assistance, such as international relief systems, roles and responsibilities of relevant actors (government and non-government) and the principles of international humanitarian law. Students will explore the health-related dimensions of humanitarian assistance, with an emphasis on the prevention and management of acute health risks during humanitarian emergencies. Students will conclude the unit by exploring challenges in humanitarian assistance such as political influences, workforce security, public trust, as well as chronic humanitarian crises and sustainable development.
The aim of the unit is to give students a deep understanding of the continuing relevance of humanitarian assistance to public health.
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. In order to successfully complete this unit, students need to submit and pass three graded assessment tasks and obtain an aggregate mark of at least 50%.
- Written Task - Enable students to acquire advanced knowledge of humanitarian principles, theory, definitions and law. (20%)
- Written task - Enable students to evaluate the roles of actors, and the challenges of providing humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies. (40%)
- Written Task - Enable students to assimilate knowledge and deepen their understanding by writing a critical analysis of an evaluation of a humanitarian response. (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about ACU.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 35
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 26
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.