MIGRANTS, REFUGEES, AND POLITICS

The course provides students with a basic understanding of the science of demography, health implications of major population issues, immigration/emigration and refugees in the contemporary world. Students explore population changes over time; elements of demography; fertility and mortality; demographic change; the demography of social and economic inequality, role of women, urbanization, migration. Finally, students evaluate world demographic patterns, synthesizing the data and issues surrounding the political and economic impact of the population growth. Consequently, this course also examines the relations between population and development and their potential consequences from a sociological, economic and geographical perspective. Other topics include global variation in population size and growth, various demographic perspectives and their modern implications, environmental impacts, and population policy.

This course, "Migration, Refugees, and Politics (MRP)," offers a comprehensive analysis of human mobility as a central feature of international relations and global security in the mid-2020s. Moving beyond traditional sociological approaches, the curriculum frames migration as a defining geopolitical force that reshapes state sovereignty, economic stability, and the balance of power. The course begins by situating the "dynamic age of global integration" within a historical context, tracing the lineage of human movement from the Age of Exploration to the modern era of "scientific management" of borders. Students will examine the evolution of the passport and citizenship regimes, questioning the moral and strategic utility of borders in an interconnected world. A core focus of the course is the securitization of migration. We will explore how mass displacement has transformed from a humanitarian challenge into a critical security dilemma. This includes analyzing the "weaponization" of refugees in hybrid warfare, the role of diasporas in conflict (both fueling and preventing war), and the rationale behind military interventions ostensibly launched to manage refugee crises.

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Analyze the Security-Migration Nexus: Evaluate how migration flows intersect with national security interests, including the potential for refugees to be used as tools of statecraft or "hybrid threats" in geopolitical rivalries. Contextualize Historical Patterns: Distinguish between historical migration drivers (e.g., slavery, colonization, disease) and modern drivers, identifying how the "scientific management" of borders has evolved to include biometric and digital surveillance. Evaluate Economic Impacts: Critically assess the dual economic consequences of migration, including the impact of "Brain Drain" on sending states versus the stabilizing role of remittances in the global economy. Critique International Responses: Examine the ethical and strategic justifications for military intervention in refugee crises and the failure or success of international regimes (UN, NGOs) in managing forced displacement. Assess Regional Dynamics (Asia Focus): Apply migration theories specifically to the Asian context, with a focus on the unique demographic and political pressures facing the region's major powers. Synthesize Future Threats: Predict emerging trends in displacement caused by climate change ("Climate Refugees")