GEO3161 : Humanitarianism and Health Inequalities
GEO3161 : Humanitarianism and Health Inequalities
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Kathryn Manzo
- Lecturer: Dr Alison Copeland
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| GEO2103 | Development & Globalisation |
| GEO2110 | Social Geographies |
Pre Requisite Comment
Students must have taken one of the two pre-requisite modules at stage 2.
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This module aims to explore the social geographies and spatial practices associated with humanitarianism and health in both theory and practice. Working across different scales (from the global to the national) the module investigates health inequalities among various populations, notably displaced persons – on land and at sea - and national populations. In addition to the reality and causes of health inequalities, the module also explores health interventions in different settings as well as other possible solutions to identified problems.
Outline Of Syllabus
Syllabus (11 weeks, 33 hours)
Intro to the course (KM and AL)
Part One: Humanitarianism and Health (KM)
Visualising Humanitarianism
Humanitarianism in theory and practice
Humanitarian communication and advocacy
Assessment workshop 1: Report writing
Humanitarian assistance, conflict and intervention
Seminar 1: Refugees and representation: The iconic image of Aylan Kurdi
Protection, conflict and rescue
Seminar 2: Refugee camps: Migration management, protection and healthcare
Part Two: Global Health, Public Health
Global health problems
Global health solutions
‘Ring a ring o’roses’ - the geography of infectious diseases and the re-emergence of diseases
Assessment workshop 2: Group presentations: expectations and requirements
‘Mind the Gap’ – Inequalities in health in the UK
Seminar 3: Poverty, inequality and health
‘The end is nigh?’ Healthcare policy and provision in the UK ‘
Seminar 4: Group presentations
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
• Demonstrate understanding of complex relationships between health, humanitarianism, space and place
• Critically appraise literature on complex relationships between health, humanitarianism, space and place and a range of applications of health and well-being
• Critically analyse policy interventions and healthcare provision in different settings
• Relate wider conceptual debates to a range of specific empirical examples in the geographies of humanitarianism and health inequalities
Intended Skill Outcomes
Intended Skills Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
• Critically assess material presented in lectures, seminars and wider reading
• Engage critically with a range of sources, from academic literature to policy reports
• Conduct research
• Communicate logical written arguments in the form of a report
• Develop time management and planning skills
• Contribute to, and learn from, teamwork.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 52:00 | 52:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | PiP lecture |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Workshops - preparation for presentations and exams |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | In-person content - seminars, including group presentations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Drop-in/Surgery (online or in person) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 106:00 | 106:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
N/A
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 2880 | 1 | A | 75 | The exam has 2 sections with 3 questions in each. Students should pick one questions from each section. 1000 words per answer. Students should spend no longer than 3 hours completing the assessment (48 hour take home exam) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 1 | M | 25 | Group presentation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
There are too many essays and reports already, and we have been asked to consider other forms of assessment to mitigate deadline bunching - especially in semester two when there is also compulsory fieldwork. Hence the take-home exam. The group/team work and oral presentation is an employability skill that is highly valued in the workplace.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- GEO3161's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- GEO3161's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.