This international relations course addresses three questions. Firstly, who is a refugee? Secondly, what compels refugees and irregular migrants to leave their homes? And thirdly, how should governments and communities approach refugees and irregular migration? In answering the first question we will explore the twentieth and twenty-first century history of asylum seeking, modern state building, related issues of international law and debates over political belonging. In answering the second question we will look at the impacts of globalisation, war, persecution, poverty and environmental change on people flows across and within state boundaries. In answering the third question we will assess border protection, international refugee organisations, detention, and refugee advocacy. Case studies will be drawn from around the world. The accumulation and interaction of concepts and examples will provide a foundation for our understanding of contemporary refugee issues.

On satisfying the requirements for this course, students will

• have the knowledge and skills to analyse different conceptions of refugees, understand the causes of human displacement and
• consider ways to enhance international relations so as to cater for this desplacement.

Students have two options:

Article analysis (oral presentation equivalent to 750 words) (10%); 2,500 word essay (45%); Formal Examination (45%)

OR

Article analysis (oral presentation equivalent to 750 words) (10%); Formal Examination (90%)

A 2 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial for 8 weeks.  The lecture theatre will be booked for 3 hours to allow for occasional films and additional discussion.  Additional ninth and tenth weeks will be dedicated to online essay focused discussion groups and face-to-face small group research seminars.

In addition to the contact hours, an average of 6 hours per week should be spent preparing for tutorials for the assessment pieces.

Two first year political science courses or EURO1004 and POLS1005 or with the permission of the lecturer.

This course can be counted towards the Politics and International Relations majors.