Mapping Complex Emergencies: A Visualisation Tool for Teaching Humanitarian Laws

In a/y 2021-22, the School of Law introduced a new 12-week inter-disciplinary undergraduate module, LW2216 Humanitarianism and the Law, for students from law, public health and international development. The module explores the different legal frameworks applicable during humanitarian crises, such as the laws of war, refugee and forced displacement law, international criminal law, and international disaster law. To date, we have used a static map and descriptive narrative of a fictional scenario on the island of “Altis” to ground the four different sections of the module. This SATLE project developed an inter-active map within Canvas to provide a clearer foundational structure for the students’ learning process and more accessible entry points to learning. Drawing on Howard Gardner’s insights into multiple intelligences, developing such a visual and inter-active tool was intended to complement some of the more ‘traditional’ written sources which students access. The map provides the visual tapestry into which we can add multi-media and digital resources, such as links to websites, media reports, and videos. It was envisaged that students could click on specific parts of the map to create a more inclusive and memorable learning experience linked to the different components of the module to provide an inter-active means of accessing the relevant material. The project developed this inter-active map through the support of IT specialists.