Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The objective of the module is to: 

• Introduce theories of mobility, conflict and resource-induced displacement, trajectories, and reception in various contexts across or within the global North and South from the perspectives of people on the move and those governing, regulating or controlling movement.
• Discuss empirical cases of displacement; borderlands, journeys and transitions, as well as cases of reception, be that situations of (il)legality, integration or deportation. 

• Introduce conceptual discussions of culture, identity and political issues of refugees and migrants.
• Discuss empirical cases of flight and mobility from intersectional perspectives (gender, generation, race, etc) with a focus on the production of social, economic, and political hierarchies.

Contents 

This module introduces an advanced conceptual investigation of displacement, identity, and politics. Drawing on theories of international relations, history, sociology, gender studies, security studies, and anthropology, the module explores the processes of displacement, mobility, identity, and politics as well as how different scholarly traditions conceptualize these processes. The module takes a global South and North perspective focusing on intersectional categories of race, class, gender, sexuality, and generation. The module is divided into two parts. One part offers an advanced global perspective on displacement, identity, and conflict. It follows people on the move from contexts of displacement across routes and trajectories to contexts of reception (in the global North but also in neighboring countries and mega-cities in the global South). The other part is organized thematically around questions of identity (for instance race, class, gender, sexuality, and generation) and politics. Both parts relate case studies to general social science theories. The module is organized as a series of seminars that includes lectures, guest lectures, student presentations and exercises. It invites students to reflect on and use the concepts and case studies introduced and discussed. Lecturers take point of departure in their own research to facilitate methodological and ethical reflections on dilemmas and challenges of conceptualizing displacement, identity, and conflict.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• theoretical and methodological tools within the field of mobility and displacement from a historical, developmental, and political perspective across the global North and South.
• in-depth knowledge of central theoretical concepts and analytical perspectives in the discussion of culture, identity, and politics in relation to forced migration.
• in-depth empirical knowledge of the reasons and causes of displacement and mobility.

Skills

• can identify and delimit a problem area based on an empirical and theoretical understanding of an interdisciplinary field.
• can select, apply and reflect upon relevant theoretical concepts and perspectives to the chosen topic or debate.
• can analyze, interpret and contextualize displacement and mobility from an interdisciplinary perspective, and from the perspective of global, national and local interconnections.
• can reflect critically on theories and use of culture, identity, and politics in the analysis of displacement.

Competences

• can analyze complex interdisciplinary questions related to displacement and mobility and of relevance to working with refugees and migrants in various contexts.
• can reflect and argue based on scientific knowledge. 

Type of instruction

Lectures, discussions, student presentations, and exercises.

Exam

Exams