HACT40100 Addressing GBV in Emergencies

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module seeks to contribute towards building the capacity, skills, confidence, and know-how of humanitarian practitioners and postgraduate students to support work to prevent, mitigate and respond to gender-based violence in emergencies. The module delivers a solid theoretical, conceptual, and operational grounding in the area of addressing GBViE and facilitates participants’ critical reflection, understanding, and analysis of GBV. The course provides students with the ability to identify and understand key tools and to engage in practical application through group work exercises.

The module utilizes and builds on learning from global standards and core guidance, training*, and experts** and is built around the core competencies identified for working on GBViE*** and the guiding principles of dignity, safety, respect, and non-discrimination. Topics covered include; historical and emerging issues and key debates in the area of gender-based violence both globally and in emergencies; the humanitarian system with a gender lens; the critical importance of ethical and safe approaches to data collection and research; coordination; mainstreaming; prevention; health and MPHSS; legal; and case management response.

*The certificate course on GBViE was designed and led by Jessica Gorham the GBV AoR Regional Gender-based Violence in Emergencies Advisor (REGA) East and South Africa, at the Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi, in partnership with Dr. Charles Olungah, Director of IAGAS, and others.
**The programme board that created this module had representation from the International Rescue Committee, the Gender-based Violence Area of Responsibility, Raising Voices, Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies at the University of Nairobi, co-chaired by the Irish Consortium on Gender-based Violence and the University College Dublin Centre for Humanitarian Action, and the development of the school was supported by Irish Aid
***An advisory network of international experts also informed the design and delivery of the module

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Define and discuss core concepts and associated terminology.
2. Critically reflect on key issues underpinning and emerging in the area of GBViE.
3. Understand components of humanitarian action interventions and core tools towards addressing GBViE.
4. Critically appreciate the central importance of the core principles and of risk management.
5. Build skills to apply this knowledge through practical group exercises.

Indicative Module Content:

The module begins with an online introductory session where the students will be introduced to the module outline and given details about module delivery.

BLOCK 1: (Building Blocks) In this section of the course, students review the study materials autonomously and complete the online UNFPA Certificate course. There is a blended check-in session scheduled in the middle of the block to help students with their study materials and answer any questions that may arise. It is also an opportunity to pause and discuss the impact of the study materials on students and introduce them to support services available within the university.

BLOCK 2: (In-Person Workshops) In this section, participants will engage with a series of experts to debate, discuss and work on cases. Kindly note that this is an in-person component and students are expected to be on UCD Campus full-time. The topics here are similar to the readings in Section 1 (Building Blocks) of this course. The purpose of these sessions is to gain insights into the ‘real-world’ workings of addressing gender-based violence in emergencies. There will be some supplementary readings provided during this section of the course. Typically, morning sessions will include lectures, debates, and discussions with experts. And in the afternoons, students will be working on a specific project or case study. Each day will conclude with a short debriefing session about the key learnings and emotional well-being. Students will be continuously assessed during this period based on their participation in class (5%), performance on two multiple-choice questions (20%), and a group project (10%).

BLOCK 3: (CRITICAL REFLECTION/FINAL ESSAY) In this final component of the module, students will write a research paper/ academic journal-style paper on their chosen topic that is relevant to addressing gender-based violence in emergencies. Students are not required to be in situ for this part of the course. The essay can be submitted online via Brightspace. The best research papers might be invited to be developed into full-fledged journal article for publication or a research project.

Tentatively, the following topics will be covered in the course:
1. Understanding Gender Equality and GBV issues globally
2. Key debates and issues in GBV work
3. Humanitarian system and mainstreaming
4. Coordination
5. Legal Response to GBViE
6. Migrant & Refugee Experiences of GBViE
7. Data and Research
8. Health and MPHSS
9. Community-based responses to addressing GBViE




Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

35
Specified Learning Activities

35
Autonomous Student Learning

130
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module has been designed to facilitate the participation of full-time students, early-stage researchers, and working professionals. The module is blended, and it is delivered over five weeks, typically in the following format:

Week 1: ONLINE, BUILDING BLOCKS
The aim of the online component is to build participant's knowledge and ensure everyone has reached similar levels of understanding, of core concepts and underlying principles relating to addressing GBViE before arriving for the in-person component. There will be one online check-in session during this week.

Week 2-4: IN-PERSON LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS- 10:00 am-4:00 pm
The in-person component comprises of interactive classes and group work exercises, which will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. Each day has a core theme and related activities. Attendance at every session is mandatory and will be assessed.

Week 5: WRITING THE RESEARCH PAPER
The final component of this module is reflection and writing a research paper. Students will be supported in choosing a topic relevant to addressing gender-based violence in emergencies and will be expected to conduct desk-based research for their paper. The final paper has to be submitted online via Brightspace and therefore students don't need to be in Dublin during this final week of the module.

APPROACH TO TEACHING AND LEARNING
The classes for this module have been designed based on the principles of problem-based learning and universal design for teaching and learning. Students take ownership of their own learning needs, and the lecturers and tutors support them to get the maximum out of coursework. Students learn from the expert instructors delivering the lectures and the workshops but equally from one another through the various structured and unstructured interactions.

The module employs reflexive teaching practices and encourages instructors and participants to reflect on their positionality and remain open to diverse worldviews. What sets this module apart from other trainings is that the lectures and workshops are designed to trigger the sociological imagination i.e. to look at day-to-day complexities and challenges of addressing gender-based violence in emergencies via analytical lenses.

Student participation and active listening is key to the success of the module. During the sessions, students have the option to engage in discussion not just by speaking up in class, but they can also contribute anonymously. Thus, the module offers various platforms for students to engage and participate in the discussions.

Given the nature of the module and the topics involved, there is a strong focus on mindfulness, emotional well-being, sensitivity, and confidentiality. Support services are available to students on-campus and online to help them with most issues that may emerge.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: In this group project, students identify gaps in knowledge and practice of addressing GBV in emergencies and turn them into actionable proposals for research. Week 9 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Assignment: In the Building Blocks assignment students briefly answer 8-10 questions. The purpose of this assignment is to test familiarity with the key components of Addressing GBV in emergencies Varies over the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

20
Multiple Choice Questionnaire (Short): There will be two MCQ tests during the module. The MCQ questions are based on the materials covered in class. The purpose of this assignment is to help students remember and recall key information. Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

20
Essay: The final written assignment will assess student's ability to critically reflect on issues in the field of GBViE and to understand and analyze key guidance and literature, in regard to a chosen topic Week 12 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

45
Attendance: Students will be awarded points for their attendance and participation. The purpose of this assessment criteria is to acknowledge and reward students for their active participation on the course. Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

5

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback will be provided via Brightspace to all students for the building block question and answers, the group project, and the final research paper. Students will receive a letter grade for these assignments. The multiple-choice quizzes will be automatically assessed on Brightspace and students will receive the grades immediately after the test. Kindly note that this module uses the Alternative Linear Grading Scale where Pass = 40%; A- = 85%

Students will be provided with a comprehensive reading list on the first day of the course. All materials will be uploaded on Brightspace. Here is an indicative list of references:

1. Handbook on Gender and Violence, Edited by Laura J. Shepherd, Professor of International Relations, Department of Government and International Relations, The University of Sydney, Australia; Publication Date: 2019 ISBN: 978 1 78811 468 4

2. IASC Guidelines For Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions In Humanitarian Action

3. GBV AoR Handbook for Coordinating GBV in Emergencies

4. The INSPiRE Guide which covers core psychosocial skills for GBV programming.

5. The GBV Pocket Guide
Name Role
Dr Carol Ballantine Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Pat Gibbons Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sulagna Maitra Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Aisling Swaine Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mrs Jeanne Ward Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Megan Lind Tutor
Dr Desire Mpanje Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 Fri 10:00 - 16:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Fri 11:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Fri 14:00 - 15:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Fri 14:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 Mon 10:00 - 16:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Mon 11:00 - 12:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 Thurs 10:00 - 16:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Thurs 11:00 - 13:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 Tues 10:00 - 16:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Tues 14:00 - 15:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Tues 14:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 Wed 10:00 - 16:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Spring