GV4A5      Half Unit
International Migration and Immigration Management

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Eiko Thielemann

Availability

This course is available on the MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MSc in Comparative Politics, MSc in European and International Public Policy, MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Global Politics, MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations and Human Resource Management), MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in Political Economy of Europe, MSc in Political Economy of Europe (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Public Administration and Government (LSE and Peking University) and MSc in Public Policy and Administration. This course is not available as an outside option.

This course has limited availability and requires that students (regardless of Department or MSc programme) obtain permission from the teacher responsible via the ‘LSE For You’ capped course management system. This is a core course on the MSc International Migration and Public Policy. Priority will be given to students on that programme. Last year, very few students from other programmes could be accommodated on this course.

The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Tuesday 29 September 2020. You will be informed of the outcome by 17:00 on Wednesday 30 September 2020.

Course content

This course offers a theoretically informed account of the challenges posed by international migration and resulting policy responses. The focus is on the comparative analysis of immigration control policies in OECD countries.

The course is structured in three parts. The first introduces a number of theoretical models that seek to explain the dynamics of international migration and migration control policies, addressing questions such as: Why do people migrate? Why do states accept migration? How effective are policies that aim to manage migration? The second, comparative part deals with national public policy responses to the issue of asylum & refugees, 'illegal' migration & human trafficking and (legal) immigration. The final part focuses on the analysis of multilateral policy initiatives on migration management at the global, regional and bi-lateral level.

Teaching

This course is delivered through seminars and lectures totalling 25 hours in the Michaelmas Term, and 1 hour for a revision lecture in the Summer Term. Some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of online and on-campus lectures and seminars. There is a reading week in Week 6 of the Michaelmas Term.

Formative coursework

All students are expected to submit one non-assessed essay.

Indicative reading

There is no single textbook but the following texts are useful introductions:

S Castle & M J Miller, The Age of Migration, 2019; A  Betts and P Collier, Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System 2018; A. Betts, Global Migration Governance, 2010; C Boswell, European Migration Policies in Flux: Changing Patterns of Inclusion and Exclusion, 2003; C Brettell, Migration Theory: Talking Across the Disciplines, 2000; M Baldwin-Edwards & M Schain, The Politics of Immigration in Western Europe, 1994; P Collier, Exodus: How Migration is Changing our World, 2015;  W A Cornelius et al, Controlling Immigration: A Global Perspective, 2004; A Geddes, The Politics of Migration and Immigration in Europe, 2003; A Geddes, Immigration and European Integration, 2000; V Guiraudon & C Joppke, Controlling a new migration world, 2001; J F Hollifield, Immigrants, Markets, and States: The Political Economy of Postwar Europe, 1992; C Joppke, Challenges to the Nation-State: Immigration in Western Europe and the United States, 1998; G Loescher, Beyond Charity: International Cooperation and the Global Refugee Crisis, 1996; J Money, Fences and Neighbours: The Political Geography of Immigration Control, 1999; S Sassen, Guests and Aliens, 2000; D Thranhardt, Europe, a New Immigration Continent, 1994; A R Zolberg et al, Escape from Violence: Conflict and the Refugee Crisis in the Developing World, 1997.

Assessment

Online assessment (100%) in the ST.

Online 24 hour (take home) Exam (100%), in the summer exam period.  Estimated amount of effort required: 3 hours in the 24 hour period.

Student performance results

(2016/17 - 2018/19 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 28.2
Merit 61.5
Pass 10.3
Fail 0

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Government

Total students 2019/20: 63

Average class size 2019/20: 13

Controlled access 2019/20: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Communication