Political Science 125 - Migration Crises and International Relations

How do migration crises shape liberal democracy and international cooperation? What becomes politically possible when "migration crises" turn into a constant backdrop to national politics and international relations? How do mass migration episodes impact countries of origin, transit, and destination? During crises, governments ask much more of their citizens. Internationally, crises enable decision-makers to rethink and alter established norms, practices, and structures for cooperation. The course uses an international relations and comparative lens, relying on evidence from around the world. We will examine how states use and abuse migration to advance their agendas (Russia and Belarus weaponize migration to destabilize the EU's eastern border; transit/host countries in the Global South - like Jordan and Turkey - monetize refugees to extract rents; Western governments outsource migration management via cash-for-migrants deals; countries in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe cultivate the migration-development nexus etc.). We will discuss sovereignty, international security, technology and AI implementation, conflict and hybrid warfare, climate change, transnational networks and crime, international law and human rights, globalization and development, global governance, and diaspora diplomacy. We will analyze recent developments to determine how migration crises have transformed global hierarchies of power and the institutional architecture of international cooperation. 

The class fulfills requirements 1, 2, or 7 for the IR Five-College Certificate. 

Limited to 30 students. Fall semester. Assistant Professor Paul.

How to handle overenrollment: Preference to Political Science majors and students planning to declare a major in Political Science.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: readings, class discussion, short reflection papers, oral presentations, group work, frequent writing, policy analysis, diplomacy simulation exercise.