SO132-15 Borders, Migration and the State

The topic of 'migration' can be a contentious issue. During the Brexit debates, the migration of EU citizens to the UK was one of the main areas of contention. This module examines how policymakers present migration as a problem in specific contexts. By drawing on examples from around the world, this module delves into the distinctions between who is perceived as a migrant and who is perceived as the ‘host’. Additionally, it explores the differences between migration and displacement and analyses the creation and use of various categories, such as labour migrants, skilled/unskilled migrants, refugees, and displaced persons, in the media and public policy. The module also examines who is considered risky and who is not when it comes to travel, as well as who is deserving of protection. The key terms used in public policy and the wider media will be introduced, and the various discourses around which they are constructed will be analysed. The module will cover the main themes of migration studies, with a specific focus on the role of migration in broader social transformation processes and how borders are created and recreated in this process. It will examine how borders categorise, differentiate, and prioritise some groups over others. Finally, the module will conclude by analysing recent developments around ‘smart borders’ and the extent to which they change existing patterns.

Key Information

Optional Module

15 CATS

Summative Assessment: 2000 word essay

Teaching: 1 hour lecture & 1 hour seminar per week

Module Convenor: Derya Ozkul