Welcome to Global Challenges in Refugee and Migration Law with a central focus on how to counter Anti-Migration Narratives!
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the legal, political, and philosophical dimensions of international refugee and migration law, with a particular emphasis on countering anti-migration narratives in the classroom and beyond. Students will engage with key international instruments, the role of international organizations, and the legal obligations of states in managing migration and providing asylum, while developing critical skills to understand and effectively challenge discriminatory discourse that shapes migration policies and public opinion.
The course critically examines the evolving definitions of who qualifies as a migrant or refugee, the externalization of borders, and the intersection of refugee and migration law with human rights, security, and environmental law. Sessions will highlight contemporary challenges such as forced displacement due to climate change, the externalization of migration control, and the intersection of racial discrimination with migration policies. Recognizing that anti-migration narratives—ranging from overt xenophobia to subtle stereotypes—undermine equality and human rights, the course integrates practical methods for recognizing, deconstructing, and responding to discriminatory discourse.
The course emphasizes a global perspective, moving beyond Eurocentric approaches to consider developments in regions like Latin America and Africa. Through the analysis of court decisions, legal frameworks, and interdisciplinary readings—including philosophical texts and political science papers—students will gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges and policies shaping global migration while developing concrete skills in public engagement and human rights-based communication.
A distinctive feature of this course is an interactive session with a professional trainer experienced in countering harmful narratives and promoting inclusive communication strategies. This expert-led, practice-oriented module will guide students through practical methods for confronting anti-migrant rhetoric in academic, social, and digital spaces. Students will work in small groups, supported by a Teaching Assistant, to create a CEU-wide dissemination product (e.g., guidebook, video, or digital toolbox) aimed at equipping their peers with tools to address discriminatory discourse.
The course also critically assesses the effectiveness and limitations of existing legal responses to global migration challenges, including issues like statelessness, gender-based persecution, and the rights of migrants in irregular situations. Classes will foster analytical and practical skills through case studies, discussions, and policy analysis, integrating this innovative blend of legal and communicative analysis with practical application and student-led advocacy.
This approach enriches student learning not only through enhanced understanding of migration law and discourse, but also by developing transferable skills in collaborative work, critical intervention in public debates, and the creation of sustainable resources that contribute to social change beyond the course's duration.
Learning outcomes:
· Understand and differentiate between the legal definitions and protections for migrants and refugees across different jurisdictions and international frameworks, while analyzing the implications of externalization policies, security law, and border technologies on global migration patterns;
· Engage with and apply interdisciplinary perspectives from law, philosophy, and political science to analyze current migration challenges, with particular attention to non-Eurocentric approaches and developments in Latin America and Africa;
· Identify and deconstruct anti-migration narratives across different contexts (media, policy documents, public discourse), analyzing the relationship between discriminatory discourse and policy outcomes;
· Develop evidence-based arguments that effectively challenge anti-migration narratives while respecting diverse perspectives and promoting constructive dialogue, creating accessible communication materials for broader public engagement;
· Reflect critically on the relationship between legal analysis and advocacy, evaluating different approaches to policy engagement—from traditional legal analysis to public education to direct advocacy—understanding their respective strengths, limitations, and appropriate contexts for application;
· Apply course concepts to create practical tools and resources that address real-world challenges in migration discourse and policy, demonstrating transferable skills in research, critical thinking, collaborative work, and public communication.
Learning activities and teaching methods:
· Seminar-Style Discussions: Classes will focus on interactive discussions where students critically engage with readings, court decisions, and legal frameworks, fostering debate and a deeper understanding of complex topics while developing skills in constructive dialogue around contentious migration issues.
· Targeted Lectures: Foundational lectures will provide essential knowledge on key legal instruments, doctrines, and challenges, supporting more interactive class activities and establishing the legal framework for understanding migration discourse.
· Case Studies: Real-world cases, including landmark decisions and policies, will be analyzed to link theory with practice, enhancing legal reasoning and policy evaluation skills while examining how legal narratives shape judicial and policy outcomes.
· Interactive Anti-Narrative Workshop: Students will participate in an expert-led session with a professional trainer experienced in countering harmful narratives and promoting inclusive communication strategies, learning practical methods for recognizing, deconstructing, and responding to discriminatory discourse in various contexts.
· Legal Simulation Exercise: Students will engage in drafting legal documents and presenting arguments in a fictional case before an international body, developing practical advocacy skills while applying course concepts to realistic legal scenarios.
· Collaborative Project Development: Working in small groups with Teaching Assistant support, students will create CEU-wide dissemination products (guidebooks, videos, or digital toolkits) designed to equip their peers with tools to confront anti-migrant rhetoric in academic, social, and digital spaces, culminating in presentations to a broader audience during the final class session.
- Instructors: Darren Jay Seiffert, Lena Riemer