The student is familiar with various approaches to human mobility with a focus on forced displacement. In addition to actively participating in lectures, the student is capable to practice analytical skills in an individual project that is presented and discussed in the class.

This module examines intersectional approaches to human mobility in peace and conflict research. Violent conflicts, ethnic, religious and gender-based discrimination and human rights abuses produce forced displacement. In this course, we will explore the global phenomenon of human mobility in a two-fold manner. We will start by introducing multiple perspectives and actors together with key theoretical and methodological debates. The course then proceeds by situating these debates in a local context. This will be done by engaging the students with migrants and refugees living in the Tampere region.

The course structure will give the students a possibility to connect large-scale phenomena to their local manifestations and implications. The course seeks to facilitate understanding on how theories and abstract concepts shape, direct and resonate with people’s self-conceptions, how conflicts gain transnational dimensions and how forced migration enters into different people’s lives in multiple ways. What kind of connections are formed between peaceful societies and conflict zones through human mobility?

The course work will be preceded by a preliminary task in which students will reflect on their personal connection on the phenomenon of human mobility. Students have to return the assignment before the first lecture. The course consists of lectures, assigned readings, a practical project conducted outside the classroom and a final seminar. The students will carry out these practical projects in groups in the supervision of the teachers. The practical partners and possible working methods have been agreed by the teachers before the course. The results of the student projects will be presented in the final seminar (21st February 2018).

25.10.2017        Contextualizing mobilities and introduction to the course work

1.11.2017          Defining people on the move; international, regional and national frameworks

8.11.2017          Politics, governance and solidarity action

16.11.2017        Intersectionality as a concept, intersectionality as a perspective

22.11.2017        How to study mobilities?

29.11.2017        Ethical issues in mobility research

1.12.-20.12.2017        Independent study period: Preparing an idea paper on the empirical project

                                  Feedback via Moodle platform

10.1.2018          Discussion on how to develop the projects

                         External partners participate in the session (tbc)

17.1.2018          Visiting lecture by professor Hassen Boubakri (University of Sousse): The role of CSOs in influencing migration and asylum policies

31.1.2018          Workshop on the on-going projects

14.2.2018          Optional: Teachers available for discussing any last minute issues on the projects

21.2.2018          Final seminar 4h

Student of MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research can include this course either to "PEACE045 Understanding Conflicts and Violence in Global Society" or to "Professional and Transferable Skills".

Max. 25 students. Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Studies, MDP in Public Choice, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare, MDP in Gender Studies)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students (Master's level exchange students will be given priority)