The Displaced: Refugees in Modern Europe (1914-2015) (HI2L1)
Module Convenor: Anca Cretu
Millions of people have historically been forced from their homes by factors including war destruction, political persecution, regime changes, revolutions, or genocide in Europe throughout the twentieth century and in the first two decades of the twenty-first century. This has culminated in new understandings of international law and new ways of treating vulnerable populations. The management of various displacement crises has constituted a critical challenge for local populations, state institutions, as well as international and non-governmental organizations in these various contexts. This module explores various case studies as it examines roots of forced displacement crises, the responses to them in diverse reception spaces (e.g. western Europe, eastern Europe, borders and borderlands, urban and rural sites, or refugee camps), and practices to address refugees’ needs in the modern European context (1914-2015). In addition to studying the institutional and structural developments that shaped displacement in and out of Europe, this module will pay a special attention to the human experience of refugeedom.
The module has three goals in terms of content: first, we primarily focus on the twentieth century and early twenty-first century, and we look at causes and contexts in exploring waves of refugees created by wars, by the rise of authoritarian regimes and exclusionary policies, as well as by various political changes at the time of decolonization and after the collapse of communist regimes. Second, we look at different ways local, national, and international actors addressed and attempted to resolve various refugee crises. Lastly, we delve in refugees’ experience of flight and how they shaped and negotiated the management of their displacement. In practical terms, students will develop research, writing, and presentation skills through a short essay, a long research paper, and a podcast series.
Syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held and titles may differ.
Week 1: No class
Week 2: Intro + Defining “the refugee.”
Week 3: War Refugees
Week 4: Displacement and Statelessness in the Era of Internationalism
Week 5: State Making, Expulsions, Resettlements
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Refugees of The Spanish Civil War
Week 8: Refugees and Fascism
Week 9: Displaced Persons & WWII
Week 10: The Making of the International Refugee Regime
Week 11: The Expellees
Week 12: Political Refugees in the Early Cold War
Week 13: Refuge in the Socialist East
Week 14: Displacement in the Era of Decolonization
Week 15: PAPER WRITING SESSION
Week 16: Reading Week
Week 17: The Vietnam War and Its Refugees: A shifting paradigm
Week 18: The End of Socialism and the Lure of Democracy
Week 19: The 1990s
Week 20: 2015 and the “Refugee Crisis”
Assessment
- 1500 Word Reflection Essay (10%)
- 3000 Word Research Paper (40%)
- Podcast Series (40%)
- Seminar Contribution (10%)