Humanitarian Studies Minor
The humanitarian studies program provides students with the technical knowledge and analytical tools necessary to examine and critique the humanitarian action ecosystem at the international, regional, and national levels. This includes learning the governance mechanisms and policies, International Humanitarian Law and principles, humanitarian access and protection of civilians, and internal and external displacement, and a wide range of humanitarian activities at the sectoral level such as food assistance, water and sanitation programming, medical assistance, and refugee and IDP settlements. The combination of rigorous interdisciplinary coursework and experiential learning opportunities prepare students for a host of graduate studies and careers, such as disaster relief, global public health, human rights, and international law. Additionally, the IIHA's New York City location provides students with exposure to various United Nations Agencies, the US Mission to the UN, international NGOs, and prominent research institutions.
Learning Goals
Upon completion of the undergraduate humanitarian studies programs, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the actors and actions in international responses to humanitarian crises;
- Employ a wide range of disciplines and case studies to examine complex humanitarian emergencies, including natural disaster, famine, war, and pandemic disease;
- Recognize the value of different kinds of knowledge (including both academic and experiential) in formulating appropriate responses to humanitarian crises;
- Critically evaluate the way in which humanitarian interventions are understood and assessed, specifically contrasting the differences between effectiveness, efficiency, outcome, and impact.
Our mission for students in the humanitarian studies program at Fordham extends beyond simply satisfying the course requirements for the major or minor, and the IIHA and their advisor will support them in a number of ways. Students are encouraged to:
- Participate in the life of the humanitarian community at Fordham. Examining contemporary humanitarian issues with their peers through debates, clubs and other activities is an important part of their humanitarian education;
- Cultivate an in-depth knowledge of a specific area of humanitarian assistance through their elective choices, their internship, and—if in the major—their thesis;
- Consider their professional development and their range of career options while making use of the IIHA's relationships with practitioners as well as Fordham's location in New York City.
The following six courses are required for the minor in humanitarian studies.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HUST 4001 | 1 | 4 |
| HUST 4500 | 1 | |
| HUST 4800 | International Humanitarian Internship 1 | 4 |
| One course in History, Philosophy, and Anthropology Area Studies 2 | 3 to 4 | |
| One course in Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, Sociology, and Economics 2 | 3 to 4 | |
| One course in Communications, Women’s Studies and Literary Studies 2 | 3 to 4 | |
- 1
Please note:
- 2
Courses that fulfill these requirements are listed under the humanitarian studies major.
Availability
The minor in humanitarian studies is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill and at Fordham College at Lincoln Center. Students in Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies may major in humanitarian studies only if they receive the approval of their advising dean and/or department, and their schedules are sufficiently flexible to permit them to take day courses at the Rose Hill or Lincoln Center campuses.