During the introductory session, besides the course structure and requirements, we will present and discuss relevant basic concepts, theories and approaches from the sociological and legal perspective. You will be familiarised with concepts of immigration/emigration, their related aspects, including basic migration theories, basic theories and practical political approaches to migrants’ incorporation. The introductory session will include also a brief insight into the history of migration in Central Europe
 
Apart from that, in this part the students will get acquainted with the diverse legal perspectives on migration - both forced and voluntary. Students are expected to discuss several excerpts of The New Odyssey - a piece of literature that accurately depicts the diverse sources of forced migration and different approaches of EU Member States to migration crisis. This narrative will serve as the basis for understanding of what´s been happening in Europe for the last few years and it will provide a further understanding of person´s motivation to move from home to the new land. The law of course responds to the great flows of people moving across the sea and the continent. Therefore this introductory lesson will present the basic overview of the legal approach and principles governing the issue. Students will examine the intertwined multi-layered legal systems that are relevant when discussing migration in Europe. We will focus on several court decisions that will illustrate the gradual development of the legal approach to protection of people in need, vulnerable persons and the protection against torture and inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment.
Recommended literature
Kingsley, P. The New Odyssey: The Story of Europe´s Refugee Crisis, Guardian Faber Publishing, 2016 (chapters)  
 
Castels, S., H. de Haas, M. J. Miller. 2014. Age of Migration. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 1-54. (chapters 1, 2) Evaluation of the course:
-active participation in lectures, seminars and field trip (as there are only seven sessions during the semester, there is only one absence allowed). For students missing a class there will be an additional assignment required to be uploaded.
-final presentation in the class
-final written assignment