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%)