MIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Human migration has shaped the world we live in and, despite contemporary efforts to control the movement of people, there is every reason to believe that migration will continue to shape human communities and world politics in the future. The massive movement of people across national boundaries is fuelled by a host of powerful forces, including: refugees whom states are obligated to protect, rising demand for both skilled and unskilled labour in aging industrial societies; a decreased capacity or willingness to control the movement of people in a globalised world economy; and the continued upheaval and lack of opportunity in large parts of the developing countries. Taken together, the forces that favour migration might seem to resemble the proverbial irresistible force. 

At the same time, immigration is accompanied by a host of social, economic and political tensions. Migrants are blamed for increased crime, radicalisation, terrorism and social disintegration. Immigration provokes fears of reduced wages and increased competition for jobs, social services, and preservation of national cohesion. Above all migration is viewed by many as a threat to national sovereignty and national identity.

As a result, the past two decades has witnessed fundamental changes in immigration policy, and sharp upsurge of xenophobic parties and movements around the world, most notably in Europe. At present immigration/refugee is amongst one of the most hotly contested issues around the world and also has become a priority issue in Europe.

COURSE AIMS – What you’ll learn

This module will examine international migration and refugee movements within the context of the on-going processes of globalisation, uneven development, conflict, and human rights abuses as some of the factors that precipitate global migration. The current “migration crisis” is examined through analysis of immigration’s impact on the nation state and society, and the response by the state and supranational institution (EU) to this challenge in terms of border control policies.

Students will learn to assess the dynamics of international migration and integration in a comparative perspective, and to identify general and specific theories pertaining to these dynamics and stemming from various academic disciplines. Students will be asked to apply these theories to concrete case(s) from readings and/or their own case, and in doing so, putting theoretical notions to an empirical test

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES Knowledge:

By  the  end  of  the  course,  students should be able to:

•  Acquire an in-depth overview over historical and contemporary human migration processes, their historical, social and political background and consequences for societies and individuals;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the transformation of international migration and refugees in a context of globalisation;
• Discuss the fundamental theoretical approaches informing international migration and refugees in an interdisciplinary perspective;
• Analyze the international legal norms concerning refugee protection including relevant norms of customary international law and, in particular, the standards found in the 1951 Geneva Convention, the temporary and complementary protection, of European and other regional norms;
• Evaluate philosophical and theoretical arguments (as roted in different ethical perspectives) regarding immigrant admissions policies and expectations for integration/assimilation after arrival;
• Explain the processes of immigrant integration, with nuances pertaining to destination country contexts;
• Critically and systematically evaluate, the claim or debates of the failure of the integration, the retreat of multiculturalism, the growth of racism and xenophobia, and the ways migration and asylum issues have become securitised;
• Demonstrate an ability to think independently, write and participate in critical discussion on international migration and refugees in EU.

Skills: Students should also have;

• Developed and refined their analytical skills with respect to the articulation of theories of international migration and refugees and policy responses to migration and refugees;
• Developed their capacity for the critical assessment of information, ideas and argument about the nature and patterning of current international migration and refugees in EU;
• Developed the ability to evaluate critically public and policy debates about refugees and asylum seekers, especially in Europe;
• Developed independent learning and research skills and be able to prepare for seminars and to undertake literature searches in the library and on the internet;
• Developed their personal management skills with respect to their work in independent study and demonstrate capacity to conduct critical and analytical writing.

Competence: Students should also have;

• A comprehensive knowledge of the roots and effects of contemporary international migration and refugees and competency to independently initiate assessment and analysis activities relating to international migration and refugee studies;
• Understands and is able to navigate in political, legal, social and cultural aspects of migration and integration as well as to propose solutions to challenges to which migration gives rise; and to use these competences in a vocational setting to address, explain and manage issues related to immigration and integration.