Studying at York
Politics of Migration - POL00087M
Module summary
The module aims to provide an advanced understanding of the history and development of migration as an object of policy and as a site of political contestation, drawing predominantly on the experience of the United Kingdom and the European Union, but including international migration within and between the Global North and Global South.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
The module will examine the role of state actors in the establishment of borders, border management, immigration control and the suppression of irregular migration. Students will develop skills in critical analysis and research, and will become familiar with the key literature in the field of migration policy and human rights. Students will also develop the ability to transfer knowledge gained from theoretical enquiry to more policy and practice-oriented research and employment.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
In the first part of the term lectures and seminars will concentrate on the experience of and political reaction to the presence of regular and irregular migrants in the United Kingdom. Topics will include the following: (i) the political causes and consequences of ‘alien’ migration into the UK (1880-1945);(ii) Generation Windrush and ‘managed migration’ from the New Commonwealth in post-war Britain; (iii) ‘Rivers of Blood’ - political opposition to migration, the 1971 immigration act and the limits of nationality. In the second part we explore the international context of forced and regular migration (iv) The 1951 Refugee Convention and the evolution of humanitarian protection in international relations and international law; (v) Post-colonialism and race in immigration policy – the European, US and Australian experience (vi) ‘Economic migrants’ versus ‘refugees’ – examining the role of conflict, violence and poverty in the context of global forced displacement (vii) A Sea of Humanity? The European Union, the Mediterranean Migration Crisis and the Building of Fortress Europe.
Academic and graduate skills
Module participants will be required to research and analyse original historical documents and legislation, treaties, case law and political speeches as well as relevant press and media primary sources. Students will be expected to develop an advanced knowledge of the key current literature in migration politics/border studies. There will also be group work activities that will require the use and sharing of digital resources for the purpose of presentations and collaboration supported by the tutor via the VLE platform. Students will thereby develop key research skills in the social sciences and humanities and valuable policy analysis skills and expertise for a range of graduate level careers.
Module content
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The biopolitical origins of the 'alien' subject.
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Generation Windrush and the era of 'managed migration'
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The racialisation of immigration before and after 'Rivers of Blood'
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The Origins and Consequences of 'the Hostile Environment'
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The 1951 Refugee Convention and its consequences
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Post-colonialism and race in immigration policy: the US and Australia
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Fortress Europe: The EU, the Mediterranean Migration Crisis, and Beyond
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Stop the Boats and the Rwanda Plan
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No lecture
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Formative feedback
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.
Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.
Indicative reading
Daniel Trilling, Lights in the distance: exile and refuge at the borders of Europe, Picador, London, 2018.
Alexander Betts and Paul Collier, Refuge: transforming a broken refugee system, Allen Lane, London, 2017.