| CODE | EST2200 | ||||||
| TITLE | Contemporary Migration Across the Mediterranean | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | European Studies | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Over the past decade, migration and asylum have been among the most prominent issues on the political agenda of the European Union. Conflicts, instability and socio-economic challenges in the EU’s neighbourhoods have increased the number of people trying to cross the Mediterranean and enter EU territory. Many resort to irregular means of entry facilitated by smugglers, putting their lives at risk. Meanwhile populist parties that are framing migration as social, political, cultural and economic threat have been on the rise across the EU. Against that backdrop, several EU member states have been accused of violating national, European and international legal obligations in their efforts to deter migrants from entering their territory. At the same time, the EU has revised its legal and administrative frameworks, reinforced its external borders, and intensified cooperation with third countries. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit provides a comprehensive overview of the political, institutional and legal architecture of migration and asylum in the EU as well as its historical evolution. Focusing on the Mediterranean region, it explores key events and issues that shaped EU migration and asylum policy. Moreover, it examines the roles and responsibilities of EU institutions and agencies, the interplay between EU and national competences, as well as the impact of landmark legislation and court rulings. In doing so, it also delves into the external dimension of EU migration policy, including partnerships with third countries. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understand the historical, political, economic and social context of migration across the Mediterranean; - Understand the evolution of EU migration and asylum policy; - Understand how EU migration and asylum policy is implemented as well as the challenges the existing legal and policy framework are facing; - Discuss the consequences of measures aiming to stem irregular migration flows; - Appreciate different perspectives on asylum and migration from EU member states, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, civil society and academia; - Discuss the EU cooperation on migration with third countries. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Analyse the root causes and effects of irregular migration; - Critically assess the EU’s approach to migration and asylum over the past decades; - Identify and understand the various legal instruments governing migration and asylum; - Accurately use terminology related to migration and asylum. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Ragnar Weilandt |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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