PY4674 Refugees and the Ethics and Politics of Migration and Displacement

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Module coordinator

Dr B Hillier-Smith

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Bradley Hillier-Smith

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

There are currently over 35 million refugees worldwide. This module analyses key philosophical issues in ethics and political philosophy that arise within global displacement. Through the module, students will understand and engage with difficult philosophical questions and debates regarding refugees and global displacement such as whether there is a morally relevant distinction between refugees and other migrants, whether states have a right to control their borders, the status of refugees’ human rights, the ethics of the use of refugee camps, and ethical state responses to refugees.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework - 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework - 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

one 2-hr lecture and one 1-hour seminar per week

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

259

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • comprehend complex and abstract philosophical analyses and debates within global displacement.
  • identify morally salient facts from empirical data to form bases for normative analysis.
  • critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of public policies and of arguments within ethics and political philosophy relating to refugees.
  • develop, contribute and defend their own philosophical arguments regarding (state responses towards) refugees, both orally and in writing.