Course Introduction

Overview: Many, if not most field workers in humanitarian affairs do not have a formal education in either psychology or social work. Nor are they usually adequately prepared or debriefed by the organizations that send them to the field. As a consequence, many fieldworkers are ill prepared for the sometimes harrowing experiences of working in complex emergencies. Often, this lack of preparation is aggravated by the fact that many fieldworkers are volunteers without much international experience.

This seven-week practicum is designed to give students from a variety of disciplines a background in some of the psychosocial issues associated with fieldwork in the context of complex emergencies. Practitioners from humanitarian aid organizations, public health experts, trauma specialists and managers from international organizations will present sessions focusing on psychosocial issues that confront fieldworkers in conflict settings.

The seminar will be co-led by Gerald R. Martone, the Emergency Response Director of the International Rescue Committee and Professor Dennis Dijkzeul, Director of Humanitarian Affairs Program at SIPA.

There will be a coffee hour before every class. This course (including coffee + cookies) will be followed by a seven week Human Rights practicum.