Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in International Development And Humanitarian Response Electives

Instructor(s): Daniel Maxwell
Day(s): Monday
Time: 3:15-6:15pm
School: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Concentration: Required Course
Description: 
The intent of the class is to introduce students to a broad range of research and writing that constitutes our knowledge on humanitarian action in complex emergencies, and to give the student the skills to read research and keep abreast of a rapidly evolving field. There is a strong emphasis on the practical application of this knowledge. The course simultaneously treats humanitarian action as a phenomenon to be understood and as a practice that urgently needs to be improved. This multi-disciplinary course will cover a broad range of subjects, and has a number of objectives. By the end of the course, students will be able to: Outline historical perspectives on humanitarian action; Describe and define the application of international humanitarian law, principles, and codes of conduct to humanitarian action in complex emergencies, and outline major debates surrounding these frameworks; Utilize the main analytical frameworks for addressing the protection of life, livelihoods, rights and safety of people caught in complex emergencies; Critically and quickly read, interpret and apply research on humanitarian action; Analyze the political economy of conflict and humanitarian assistance; Discuss the ethical and practical implications of incorporating human rights in humanitarian action; Utilize methodologies for improving the quality, effectiveness and accountability of humanitarian action; and Describe the evolving nature of conflict, crisis, and the architecture of the humanitarian system.

Instructor(s): TBD
Day(s): Wednesday
Time: 2:00-2:30pm
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: Required Course
Description: 
TBD

Instructor(s): Alexandra Thorn
Day(s): Friday
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
School: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Concentration: 
Description: 
Many problems in agriculture, food and nutrition are inherently geographic in nature. For example, livestock production is increasingly concentrated in large feeding operations, leading to new spatial patterns of water and air pollution or foodborne illness. Spatial clustering is equally important for food consumption, nutrition and public health, as in hunger hotspots, food deserts and disease corridors. This course will equip students with the skills needed to capture, analyze and communicate spatial data in geographic information systems (GIS), using a variety of examples from agriculture, food and nutrition.

Instructor(s): David Gute
Day(s): Wednesday
Time: 12:00-2:30pm
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: 
Description: 
TBD

Instructor(s): Gitanjali Singh and Silvina Choumenkovitch
Day(s): Tuesday
Time: 9:00-12:00pm
School: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Concentration: 
Description: 
This course covers basic epidemiologic methods and concepts, including study design, calculation and interpretation of measures of disease frequency and measures of effect, sources of inaccuracy in experimental and observational studies, causal inference, and an introduction to the statistical evaluation and interpretation of epidemiological data. Students will discuss historical examples and recent studies in order to apply their understanding of abstract concepts and specific quantitative methods to the interpretation and critique of published work.

Instructor(s): Hugh Joseph
Day(s): Wednesday/Thursday
Time: 3:15-4:45pm
School: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Concentration: 
Description: 
Interest in ‘sustainable diets’ has expanded rapidly over the past decade. In this newly restructured course, ‘sustainable diets’ approaches are examined using systems-based, trans- and multi-disciplinary models that incorporate social, economic, governance, health, cultural, and environmental dimensions. Core elements will cover: (a) definitions, terminologies, models, application to diets and food systems; (b) frameworks and limitations of sustainable diets; (c) food consumption as an alternative framework; (d) sustainable food consumption guidelines; and (e) strategies to promote more sustainable food consumption. An emphasis will be on transitioning away from diets per se to a novel ‘food consumption’ model, using sustainable agriculture as a reference framework. Students each week will also select and discuss papers covering diverse aspects of sustainable food systems. Major assignments include (i) applying an innovative methodology - multi-criteria analysis - to assess the relative sustainability of various foods; and (ii) developing guidelines for food consumption as an alternative to typical sustainable dietary guidelines approaches. An advanced course and background in basic nutrition and in food systems is important.

Instructor(s): Daniele Lantagne
Day(s): Monday/Wednesday
Time: 10:30-11:45am
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: 
Description: 
User-centered design of WASH systems for low-cost, community- and household-level treatment. Topics include technologies, health impacts, societal contexts, and monitoring for achieving sustainability. Emphasis on applying topics to develop a WASH design for a self-selected project.

Instructor(s): Laurie Baise
Day(s): Monday/Wednesday
Time: Monday/Wednesday 1:30-2:45pm
Wednesday 3:00-4:15pm
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: 
Description: 
User-centered design of WASH systems for low-cost, community- and household-level treatment. Topics include technologies, health impacts, societal contexts, and monitoring for achieving sustainability. Emphasis on applying topics to develop a WASH design for a self-selected project.

Instructor(s): Dyan Mazurana
Day(s): Friday
Time: 1:30-3:50pm
School: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Concentration: 
Description: 
This course examines situations of armed conflict, civilian experiences of these crises, and the international and national humanitarian and military responses to these situations from a gender perspective and highlights the policy and program implications that this perspective presents. Topics covered include gender analyses of current trends in armed conflict and terrorism, and of the links among war economies, globalization and armed conflict; the manipulation of gender roles to fuel war and violence; gender and livelihoods in the context of crises; masculinities in conflict; sexual and gender-based violations; women’s rights in international humanitarian and human rights law during armed conflict; peacekeeping operations; peacebuilding; and reconstruction. Case studies are drawn from recent and current armed conflicts worldwide

Instructor(s): Shafiqul Islam
Day(s): Tuesday/Thursday
Time: 12:00-1:15pm
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: 
Description: 
Approaches that leverage tools and techniques from complexity science with negotiation theory for use in solving practical problems with societal relevance. Systems thinking, policy relevance and effective implementation within the context of nonlinearity, uncertainty, and unpredictability associated with coupled natural, engineered, and human systems. Integration of numbers and narratives to create actionable technological solutions with a problem-driven strategy.

Instructor(s): Sumeeta Srinivasan and Aggeliki Barberopoulou
Day(s): Monday/Tuesday/Thursday
Time: Monday 1:30-4:00pm
Tuesday/Thursday 12:00-1:15pm
School: 
Concentration: 
Description: 
Introduces Geographical Information Systems (GIS) theory, methods and their applications. Topics include GIS data structures, geodesy, cartography and spatial analysis using rasters and vectors. Includes extensive laboratory exercises that apply concepts presented in the lectures using ArcGIS. The course will include a final project using GIS to apply student interests.

Instructor(s): Alexandra Thorn
Day(s): TBD
Time: TBD
School: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Concentration: 
Description: 
Many problems in agriculture, food and nutrition are inherently geographic in nature. For example, livestock production is increasingly concentrated in large feeding operations, leading to new spatial patterns of water and air pollution or foodborne illness. Spatial clustering is equally important for food consumption, nutrition and public health, as in hunger hotspots, food deserts and disease corridors. This course will equip students with the skills needed to capture, analyze and communicate spatial data in geographic information systems (GIS), using a variety of examples from agriculture, food and nutrition.

Instructor(s): Helen Suh
Day(s): TBD
Time: TBD
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: 
Description: 
Statistical methods for analysis and interpretation of data generated by biomedical, environmental health, and public health studies. Descriptive statistics for continuous and categorical data, probability, hypothesis testing, correlation, analysis of variance, linear and logistic regression, multivariable regression, and non-parametric methods. Foundations of probability and statistical theory, and how to apply concepts by analyzing data.

Instructor(s): David Gute
Day(s): TBD
Time: TBD
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: 
Description: 
An examination of current topics in the area of occupational and environmental health, with particular emphasis on the types of materials that produce human health effects. Both clinical and epidemiological data will be used to assess the public health importance of environmental pollutants and to evaluate the effectiveness of control strategies.

Instructor(s): Richard Hooper
Day(s): TBD
Time: TBD
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: 
Description: 
Mathematical models of water resource and environmental systems are presented in combination with optimization procedures, decision theory, and environmental applied statistics to generate an integrated approach to the planning, design, and management of complex water resources systems. Water resources systems applications are formulated as decision problems where an optimal solution is sought, yet cost, safety, environment, and technology appear as competing constraints. Applications include regional water quality management; siting treatment plants; reservoir system operations; and design, irrigation, flood control, and watershed planning.

Instructor(s): Jennifer Coates
Day(s): TBD
Time: TBD
School: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Concentration: 
Description: 
This seminar will provide an introduction to the principles and practice of program monitoring and evaluation, with an emphasis on nutrition and nutrition-related programs in developing countries. By reviewing relevant literature and utilizing case studies in the areas of nutrition, primary health, agriculture and other fields, students will garner basic literacy of the language and tools of evaluation. This seminar will focus both on the theory and practice of conducting program evaluation and will consist of round-table discussions, guest speakers, and applied exercises of critiquing, planning, and writing evaluations. In addition to the course content, the participatory nature of the seminar is important to the overall learning process. Although there will be speakers at several sessions, the course will largely be run by the seminar participants themselves who will shape the curriculum, design assignments, and be expected to bring forth their personal experiences, opinions, and questions to the subject matter at hand.

Instructor(s): Gregory Gottlieb
Day(s): TBD
Time: TBD
School: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Concentration: 
Description: 
This course offers practical training in the complex issues and field skills needed to engage in humanitarian work. Students will gain familiarity with the concepts and international standards for humanitarian response. While providing a solid theoretical foundation, the course will focus on practical skills such as conducting rapid assessments, ensuring field security, and interacting with aid agencies, the military, and the media during humanitarian crises. The course culminates with a one-day online simulation on May 1, 2021 (attendance required). The online simulation will include an aid agency team responding to a simulated international disaster and conflict. Students will carry out rapid assessments, create a comprehensive humanitarian aid plan, and manage interactions with refugees, officials, and other humanitarian actors. Students will face challenges that test their subject knowledge, team skills, creativity, and grit.

Instructor(s): Rebecca Shakespeare
Day(s): TBD
Time: TBD
School: School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Concentration: 
Description: 
Introduces Geographical Information Systems (GIS) theory, methods and their applications. Topics include GIS data structures, geodesy, cartography and spatial analysis using rasters and vectors. Includes extensive laboratory exercises that apply concepts presented in the lectures using ArcGIS. The course will include a final project using GIS to apply student interests.