Human security including protection of civillians, child protection and gender topics

Language: English

Credits: 5 ECTS

Dates: 16th January– 3th February 2023

First week 16th – 20th January 2023
Full time 

Second week 23th – 27th January 2023 
Full time Monday to Thursday 
E-learning Friday

Third week 30th January- 3th February 2023
Full time Monday to Wednesday
E-learning Thursday to Friday

If want to participate, please contact by the end of September 2022. Student administration office [email protected] 

Aim:

The aim of this Human Security elective course is to provide (within civilian and military participants) insights on the role of the military as one of the human security providers and protection actors in contemporary conflicts (on operations). The elective course focuses on how to protect civilians from threats of physical violence. The course also enhances the military’s understanding of how military options impact civilians and how the military can support other non-lethal actions to minimize the negative impacts on civilians in conflicts. 

Course Content:

1. Operational environment analysis of the crisis from the perspective of human security
2. Threats of violence towards the civilian population
3. Physical security of the civilian population
4. Assessment of how the protection of civilians can be conducted in a military-operation context
5. Assessment of the effectiveness of military efforts to protect civilians?
6. Cross-Cutting themes
7. How human security elements fit into national defence

Method:

Course has been planned as a blended solutions and it utilizes flipped classroom by using short video lessons and ADLs produced by NATO. The knowledge parts of the course will be covered during self-study, with learners completing assigned tasks.  Self-study parts of the course are mandatory and failure to complete the assigned assignments by the given deadline will lead to failed completion of the course. Self-studies are followed by peer-to-peer, small group and plenary discussions. All learners a required to take active part is discussion. Course will also include a table top exercise and essay.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Human security explained
   • Explain the difference between human security and state/national security
   • Explain why the protection of civilians has become an important military objective
   • Explain the military role in human security
2. Trends in Armed Conflict
   • Explain how armed conflict has changed (since the end of the cold war)
   • Recall what consequences do these changes have for the role and utility of military force
3. Civilians in Conflict
   • Explain how civilians are affected by armed conflicts
   • Recall how civilians cope with violence
4. Perpetrator Rationales
   • Explain why perpetrators target civilians
5. Perpetrator Characteristics
   • Explain different types of threats to civilians (incl. Categorize different types of threats to civilians - rationale, type of actor, strategies and tactics, capabilities and expected outcome)
6. Threat Scenarios
   • Recall different types of threats to civilians
7. Threat Analysis
   • Analyze physical threats to civilians
8. Using Force to Protect
   • Explain how military force can be effectively utilized to protect civilians from violence
9. Military Response Options
   • Distinguish the most relevant courses of action against different types of threat
10. Operational Factors and COG
    • Explain how does operational factors and centers of gravity anlysis improve planning of protection operations
11. COA Development and Wargaming
    • Explain the most relevant courses of action to protect civilians against different types of threat
12. Assessing Protection
    • Explain how to measure the effectiveness of military options
13. NATO POC
    • Explain the NATO Protection of Civilians military concept
14. NATO CAAC
    • Explain the role of military in child protection
15. NATO GENDER
    • Explain gender perspective
    • List practical examples why we need to integrate the gender perspective into operations
    • Conduct population centric (Gender +) analysis
16. Population Centric Approach
    • Explain why we need population centric approach
    • Explain how dilemmas may arise from different courses of action to protect civilians

Course reading list:

Smith, Rupert (2008) Utility of Force: The Art of War in the modern World.
Slim, Hugo (2007) Killing Civilians: Method, Madness and Mortality in War.
Beadle, Alexander W. Military Planning and Assessment guide for the protection of civilians.
Few recent selected articles 

Summative Assessment:

Part 1: Tabletop Exercise

Part 2: Essay
The students will write an essay, approximately 2000 words (according to FDUC standards) where a topic or issue from the elective curriculum will be problematisized and discussed as by formal standards set by the FDUC.
The contents should be in line with the following subject-matter criteria:

1. The student may choose a specific issue within the elective that has been found particularly troublesome in terms of sense-making, or in relation to what the student think represents what falls under the «military domain». This approach lets the student reflect upon own learning and take a meta perspective on what is referred to as troublesome knowledge. 
2. Alternatively, the student may choose an issue at own choice within the course curriculum, discuss the topic from the perspective of a formulated problem, thesis or question.

The essay should 

• Reflect critical thinking, by raising questions, dilemmas or challenges relevant for the topic, and argue for and against the different views.
• The essay should reflect insights in established knowledge, and let own reasoning and critique demonstrate ability to use own experience, knowledge and judgement to examine certain aspects of a concept or problem.
• The topic question should relate to the use of military force in a contemporary context.
• The text should include references to literature or empirical data.
• The student may use own experience to contrast or underline certain aspects or arguments.