Module: The Politics of Migration in Europe

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	The Politics of Migration in Europe
Module Code	POL1049 (ITS: LG394)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Migration has been one of the most salient issues in Europe in the last decades, featuring heavily in several electoral campaigns. This module examines the challenges associated with migration and the questions that migration flows have raised with regard to the status of national borders and national membership. It also considers the ways in which European states have sought to address these challenges, notably through developing cooperation at the European Union and international levels. In addition to the examination of the relevant migration concepts and theories, the module engages with case studies and policy practices.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the key dimensions of political debates concerning migration
2. Analyse and interpret policy documents and other written material concerning migration issues
3. Interpret debates concerning the issue of migration from different theoretical perspectives
4. Explain the roles of national governments, the European Union, international organisations and non-governmental organisations in the governance of migration in Europe
5. Clearly summarise and communicate complex ideas in writing

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	103	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21531	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sarah Léonard	Module Teacher	Moign Khawaja

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	A 3,000 word-essay based on a list of essay titles provided at the beginning of the semesteR	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

The challenges of migration & key concepts

Migration movements in a historical perspective

Theories of migration

Refugees and the asylum regime

Asylum and migration in Europe

Immigration and politics in Europe

Mobility and migration controls

The development of the European Union policies on asylum, migration and border controls

Multiculturalism, integration and xenophobia

Migration, security and terrorism in Europe

Climate change and migration movements

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Christina Boswell: 2003, uropean Migration Policies in Flux: Changing Patterns of Inclusion and Exclusion, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford,
Andrew Geddes, Leila Hadj-Abdou and Leiza Brumat: 2020, Migration and Mobility in the European Union, 2nd, Red Globe Press, London,
Andrew Geddes and Peter Scholten: 2016, The Politics of Migration and Immigration in Europe, 2nd, Sage, London,
Sarah Léonard and Christian Kaunert: 2019, Refugees, Security and the European Union, Routledge, London,
Migreurop: 2019, The Atlas of Migration in Europe: A Critical Geography of Migration Policies, Routledge, London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None