F1IS 4515 - Confronting a crisis : tools for analysis and interpretation

This course examines crises from recent decades, and teaches practical skills for analysing them, and presenting conclusions and recommendations. It is taught by experienced practitioners from different backgrounds and disciplines (military, political, diplomatic, humanitarian etc.), and is intended to help students understand and critically analyse attempts to prevent, manage and perhaps resolve crises, how far they have succeeded, and why they have failed. An important component of the course is the acquisition of practical skills of rapid analysis and synthesis, and communication of ideas in an organised and concise fashion.

The course will be particularly valuable for those considering careers in government, international organisations, NGOs and the media. Such students may find (as has been the experience of the teachers in previous years) that the full value of some parts of the course is only appreciated at a later stage, such as during real-life negotiations or actual field assignments.

The course has developed over the years to take account of changes in the world situation, the arrival of new players and the increasing complexity of crises. The Liberal Peace assumptions of crisis management are increasingly questioned, and the influence of the West and western-influenced institutions is increasingly challenged by internal and regional actors. Reflecting these developments, the course tries to avoid a “western-centric” approach.

The course is organised around a series of case studies, drawing as far as possible on the personal experiences of the teachers. It takes note of current events but is not primarily concerned with what is in the headlines, which changes all the time. The purpose is to equip students for the future. A key feature of the course is that it aims to put students in a professional rather than an academic context, and to induce reactions and provoke analysis that will be necessary tools in professional life. A simulation exercise towards the end of the course will put many of these current ideas to the test.

The course will be of 12 sessions, each of two hours, plus the practical exercise. The teachers will vary depending on the subject being addressed.

Learning Outcomes:

• Ability to analyse and understand past and contemporary crises, in terms of actors, objectives and relative success.
• Understanding of the difficulties and complexities of outside forces, donors and international organisations seeking to involve themselves in crises and trying to « manage »them.
• Experience, during a realistic simulation, of the reality of attempts at crisis management.

Professional Skills:

Analysis of complex situations.

Oral presentation of complex situations before a live audience.

Effective presentation of information.

Writing skilled summaries of presentations and discussions.

None.

Class based on developing professional techniques and attitudes

Analysis and discussions based on real situation and crisis.

Conclusions at the end of each session.

Feedback on the oral presentation and debate immediately afterwards.

One oral presentation per student during the course

Active participation during the session (debate)

One individual written assignment

One group exercise.

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester