Global flows are a core phenomenon of global politics, not only today. They move across borders, and often governments cannot do much about it. This is clearly visible in the chaotic procedures and reactions on the huge streams of migrants toward Europe in 2015. As the result of multiple domestic constellations, a disorganized and partly confused policy by the European Union, and the huge effects of media reports (especially visuals), it seems that the external borders of the EU have become broadly irrelevant.

A related issue is that the different types of migrant flows recently converge, and that the distinctions between refugees, labor migrants, transnationally active students etc. are becoming more fuzzy.

 

In addition to this chaotic situation on the ground, different legal and ethical entitlements and entitlement claims are often not clearly and openly discussed. This is particularly visible regarding asylum acknowledgment rules and practices, and integration policies. Interests and concerns of the local population in target countries are not always taken seriously, as well. The assumption is that migration is almost always a challenge for the incoming people, and something similar for the host population. But both, the existing rules and practices, and also the public discourses are far away from being satisfying.

 

The seminar will focus on the inter- and transnational dimension of the problem(s). Causes for leaving societies and also for the direction of the movements will be explored. The last third of the seminar will be devoted to the social, cultural and political reactions of various European target countries.

Good English language capabilities are necessary as the colloquium is supposed to be held in English. In regard to the presentation of research proposal exceptions can be negotiated. Regular and active participation is required.

 

This lecture uses the E-learning platform Blackboard. Please register under: http://lms.fu-berlin.de . The password will be given during the first lecture.

 

Additionally, please also register under http://www.oei.fu-berlin.de/politik/anmeldungsformular/index.html .