27 February-9 April 2013 (E07113) | Register for this course (opens in new window)
28 August-8 October 2013 (E07113-2)
International migration is increasingly drawing the attention of policy makers, practitioners and societies at large. Issues related to security and economic instability between and within countries are pushing the international legal and political frameworks to become more complex, thus posing serious challenges to the protection of migrants' rights. Transnational population movements are not a new phenomenon. The overall current figures do not differ much from those of some decades ago: the share of migrants in the world population has remained stable, at 3%. However, what has changed over time are some of the push and pull factors (such as the environmental degradation in certain countries or new labor market needs in the global north) as well as the routes and means for mobility, drawn by changes in the policy frameworks and rapidly growing rates of urbanisation in developing countries and emerging economies, coupled with new forms of conflicts in certain regions. Consequently, while geographical mobility is arguably part of the human nature, its forms, patterns, dynamics, meanings and impacts are highly contextual.
This course introduces its participants to basic conceptual and theoretical issues concerning migration, including ways to distinguish between different forms of migration, its causes and consequences. The course will also present historical as well as current trends and figures as well as the main international, regional and national policy and operational approaches and challenges regarding this human phenomenon. The course understands migration in generic terms, i.e. as any movement over geographical distance involving a minimum stay at the place of origin and the place of destination. We will hence cover both voluntary and forced forms of migration, regular and irregular movements and diverse specific reasons why people choose to move.
The course involves approximately 30 hours of reading, on-line working groups, interaction among students and instructor, webinars, quizzes and a writing assignment, and is offered over a 6-week period. The course will integrate active and participatory learning approaches within activities and assignments, with an emphasis on reflective and collaborative learning. The maximum number of course participants is 25. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation. It is also possible to audit the course.
Course outline
Week 1. Introduction to Main Concepts in Migration Discourse
Week 2. Global Trends in Migration and Data Sources
Week 3. Forced versus Voluntary Migration
Week 4. The Regulation of International Migration - Legal and Policy Frameworks
Week 5. International Migration and Social Justice
Week 6. Migration and Development
About the instructor
Albert Kraler is programme manager for research at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), an intergovernmental organisation located in Vienna, Austria and is associate lecturer of Political Science and International Development at the University of Vienna. He has earned a degree in Political Science and African Studies from the University of Vienna, after completing part of his studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London and has undertaken fellowships at the Centre for Migration Research at the University of Sussex (2003 to 2004) and the Department of Political Science, University of Vienna (2005 and 2006). He has coordinated several international comparative research projects on various migration related topics. He is co-editor and co-author of several books and has authored numerous articles, book chapters, studies and working papers addressing a wide range of topics including global migration history, humanitarianism, migration statistics, migration policy, irregular migration, and family-related migration. Albert is a member of the IMISCOE Research Network – a European network of migration research institutions – and member of its board of directors. In addition, he serves on the IMISCOE editorial committee and is a jury member for the annual IMISCOE dissertation award. Reflecting his ongoing interest in African studies, he is one of the editors of the Vienna Journal of African Studies, for which he also guest-edited two special issues on "African Migrations" (2005) and "Perspectives on Ethnicity and ‘Race’" (2009).
Who should apply
The course is aimed at practitioners and professionals who want to gain knowledge in the field of (im)migration and asylum, government officials (local and national level) dealing with migration and migration-related issues; staff of inter-governmental organisations such as the IOM and UNHCR; NGO staff members and service providers; and students of law, international relations, politics and social science. Participants should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use. HREA aims to ensure equal gender and geographical distribution across the selected participants. The maximum number of course participants is 25. It also possible to audit the course. A Certificate of Participation will be awarded upon successful completion of the course.
Costs
Tuition fee for participants: US$ 575. Early registration discounts: 25% when paying 8 weeks before the start of the course; 15% when paying 4 weeks before course start.
Tuition for auditors: US$ 215. Early registration discounts: 25% when paying 8 weeks before the start of the course; 15% when paying 4 weeks before course start
Payments can be made online with major credit cards, PayPal and check (Canada and USA). Bulk rates are available.
Registration
This course will be offered from 27 February-9 April 2013 and 28 August-8 October 2013.
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