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Module Catalogue

HI2L1-30 The Displaced: Refugees in Modern Europe (1914-2015)

Department
History
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Anca Cretu
Credit value
30
Module duration
22 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

Millions of people have historically been forced from their homes by factors including war destruction, political persecution, regime changes, revolutions, or genocide in Europe throughout the twentieth century and in the first two decades of the twenty-first century. This has culminated in new understandings of international law and new ways of treating vulnerable populations. The management of various displacement crises has constituted a critical challenge for local populations, state institutions, as well as international and non-governmental organizations in these various contexts. This module explores various case studies as it examines roots of forced displacement crises, the responses to them in diverse reception spaces (e.g. western Europe, eastern Europe, borders and borderlands, urban and rural sites, or refugee camps), and practices to address refugees’ needs in the modern European context (1914-2015). In addition to studying the institutional and structural developments that shaped displacement in and out of Europe, this module will pay a special attention to the human experience of refugeedom.

Module aims

The module has three goals in terms of content: first, we primarily focus on the twentieth century and early twenty-first century, and we look at causes and contexts in exploring waves of refugees created by wars, by the rise of authoritarian regimes and exclusionary policies, as well as by various political changes at the time of decolonization and after the collapse of communist regimes. Second, we look at different ways local, national, and international actors addressed and attempted to resolve various refugee crises. Lastly, we delve in refugees’ experience of flight and how they shaped and negotiated the management of their displacement. In practical terms, students will develop research, writing, and presentation skills through a short essay, a long research paper, and a podcast series.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held and titles may differ.

Week 1: No class
Week 2: Intro + Defining “the refugee.”
Week 3: War Refugees
Week 4: Displacement and Statelessness in the Era of Internationalism
Week 5: State Making, Expulsions, Resettlements
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Refugees of The Spanish Civil War
Week 8: Refugees and Fascism
Week 9: Displaced Persons & WWII
Week 10: The Making of the International Refugee Regime
Week 11: The Expellees
Week 12: Political Refugees in the Early Cold War
Week 13: Refuge in the Socialist East
Week 14: Displacement in the Era of Decolonization
Week 15: PAPER WRITING SESSION
Week 16: Reading Week
Week 17: The Vietnam War and Its Refugees: A shifting paradigm
Week 18: The End of Socialism and the Lure of Democracy
Week 19: The 1990s
Week 20: 2015 and the “Refugee Crisis”

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  •  Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of historical roots and attempted resolutions of various waves of forced displacement in modern Europe.
  •  Analyse and evaluate the contributions made by existing multidisciplinary scholarship on history of refugees and forced displacement.
  •  Generate ideas through the analysis of a broad range of primary source (visual, textual, oral, data) material for the study of refugees and forced displacement.
  •  Take responsibility to identify, design, and produce coherent projects on episodes of history of refugees in modern Europe.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

The students will have two assignments that require research:

  1. Research paper
  2. The development of a podcast series on "Refugees and Memory."

Interdisciplinary

This module includes readings from multiple disciplines (i.e. history, anthropology, sociology, political science). Furthermore, it will speak to multiple specializations (e.g. History & Politics: History & Sociology; Law).

International

The content of this module has a significant international dimension due to the coverage of multiple historical contexts.

Subject specific skills

See Learning Outcomes.

Transferable skills

See Learning Outcomes.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 19 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Seminars 19 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Tutorials 4 sessions of 1 hour (1%)
Project supervision 4 sessions of 30 minutes (1%)
Private study 256 hours (85%)
Total 300 hours

Private study description

Private study includes reading and seminar preparation, preparation and production of assignments.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Reflection Essay 10% Yes (extension)

This assignment represents a reflection on one of the proposed novels/memoirs (to be chosen by the student).
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Research Paper 40% Yes (extension)

This is a research-based analytical paper.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Podcast Series 40% No

Using clips or readings from existing interviews or primary sources, news footage, images, etc., and/or material they create themselves, they must explore a topic aloud, in your own words. Podcast should be between 7 and 15 minutes long, should address the theme “Refugees and Memory.” Students must also prepare a bibliography indicating research sources and the sources of all included material. Finally, they need to write a self-reflection paper of the preparation and implementation process.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Seminar contribution 10% No
Reassessment component
1000 word Reflective Essay in lieu of Seminar Contribution Yes (extension)
Feedback on assessment

I employ rubrics of assessment. These include proof of knowledge, research basis, style in writing. Presentation skills will be included for the podcast series.

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 2 of UENA-VQ32 Undergraduate English and History
  • Year 2 of UENA-VQ34 Undergraduate English and History (with a term in Venice)
  • Year 2 of UHIA-V102 Undergraduate History (Renaissance and Modern History Stream)

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 2 of UHIA-V100 Undergraduate History
  • Year 2 of UHIA-V1V7 Undergraduate History and Philosophy (with a term in Venice)
  • Year 2 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)

This module is Option list D for:

  • Year 2 of UHIA-V100 Undergraduate History
  • Year 2 of UHIA-V102 Undergraduate History (Renaissance and Modern History Stream)

This module is Option list E for:

  • Year 2 of UHIA-V1V5 Undergraduate History and Philosophy
  • Year 2 of UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
  • Year 2 of UHIA-VL13 Undergraduate History and Sociology
  • Year 2 of UHIA-VL15 Undergraduate History and Sociology (with a term in Venice)