The course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex and evolving field of refugee governance. With an emphasis on policy and practice, this course explores the legal, political, and ethical dimensions of governing refugee populations. Students will critically analyze the various actors, institutions, and frameworks involved in refugee governance, with a focus on protection, assistance, and durable solutions, namely in the Middle East.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, students will examine the challenges and opportunities faced by states, international organizations, civil society, and host communities in addressing the needs and rights of refugees. The course will explore the historical, social, and economic factors that drive forced displacement, while also considering the impact of governance strategies on refugees' lives and well-being.
Key topics covered in the course include the international legal framework for refugee protection, national policies and practices, humanitarian response mechanisms, global compacts, resettlement and integration strategies, as well as the role of conflict, human rights, and development in refugee governance. Special attention will be given to gender considerations, the experiences of vulnerable refugee populations and stateless populations.
Through case studies and interactive discussions, students will engage with real-world challenges and emerging trends in refugee governance. They will develop critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate existing policies and propose innovative solutions to enhance the effectiveness of refugee governance systems.
Upon completion of the course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and analytical tools to navigate the complex landscape of refugee governance. They will be prepared to contribute to policy development, advocacy, and practical interventions aimed at improving the protection and well-being of refugees globally.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Knowledge Acquisition: Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts, theories, and frameworks related to the governance of refugees, including legal, political, and ethical dimensions.
2. Legal and Policy Analysis: Students will be able to resort to the international legal framework governing refugee protection and understand the scope of its implementation in the Middle East. They will analyze national policies and practices related to refugees, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
3. Institutional Analysis: Students will gain insight into the roles, responsibilities, and functions of various actors involved in refugee governance, including states, international organizations, civil society, and host communities. They will analyze the relationships and dynamics between these actors and evaluate their impact on refugee well-being, specifically in the Middle Easter context.
4. Global and Comparative Perspectives: Students will gain a global perspective on refugee governance, understanding regional variations and challenges in different Middle Eastern contexts. They will compare and contrast governance systems, policies, and practices across countries, identifying lessons learned and best practices.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Students will develop a range of professional skills that are valuable in the field of refugee governance and other related areas, such as research methodology, data analysis, critical thinking, interdisciplinary analysis, leadership and teamwork.
The professional skills acquired will greatly help equip students with the competencies necessary to pursue careers in refugee governance, humanitarian organizations, governmental agencies, policy advocacy, research, and other fields, effectively contributing to the protection and support of refugee populations.
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 40 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 48 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 40 hours a semester
• Class Presentation (40%): During the course, pairs of students will present an exposé based on a pre-selected topic in relation to the class. This collective research presentation of roughly 15mn should contain the framing of the issue's scope and relevance, an insight into the political and legal contexts supported by bibliographical grounds, in addition to some case studies or highlights from recent developments.
• Home Assignment (50%): Students are expected to write a “Note de Synthèse” from a dossier of interconnected documents related to the class topics. The assignment should be around 3.000 words and designed to identify, present and analyze coherently the core issue and threads connecting the documents altogether.