Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
2PSIR540International Migration3+0+03715.10.2026
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Master's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and International Relations (English) (With Thesis)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course The aim of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive and analytical understanding of international migration from political science and international relations perspectives. The course aims to enable students to examine the causes and consequences of migration, critically engage with major migration theories, and analyze migration governance, migration-security relations, international legal frameworks, and migration and integration policies from a comparative perspective.
Course Content This course examines international migration from political science and international relations perspectives. It introduces the historical development of migration, key concepts and forms of migration, and major theories explaining migration processes. The course explores the political, economic, and social causes and consequences of international migration, as well as migration governance by international and regional organizations. Particular attention is given to the relationship between migration and security, the international legal framework governing migration and refugee protection, and migration and integration policies across different countries. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to critically analyze migration as a multidimensional political and international phenomenon and to compare different policy responses.
Course Methods and Techniques The course will be conducted through lectures, class discussions, guided analysis of academic readings, case studies, comparative analysis, and student presentations. Students will be encouraged to critically engage with different theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence and to apply migration theories and concepts to contemporary migration-related issues.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator Associate Prof.Dr. PELİN ALİYEV
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. Pelin Aliyev
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Altunbaş, Ç., & Memisoglu, F. (2024). Evaluating the Securitized Migration Policy of the European Union in the Context of Border Security. Lectio Socialis, 8(1), 35-56. https://doi.org/10.47478/lectio.1412017 Bayındır Goularas, G. International Migration in the Twenty-First Century: A General Overview, p. 3-18. Czaika, M. & Reinprecht, C. (2021). Migration Drivers: Why Do People Migrate?, in Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 49-82. Faist, T. (2005). The migration-security nexus: international migration and security before and after 9/11. (COMCAD Working Papers, 9). Bielefeld: Universität Bielefeld, Fak. für Soziologie, Centre on Migration, Citizenship and Development (COMCAD). İçduygu, A., & Aksel, D. B. (2013). Turkish Migration Policies: A Critical Historical Retrospective. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, 18(3), 167-190. Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. Marlou, S. (2021). Migration Histories.
Course Notes Attendance is compulsory. Students are responsible for completing assigned readings and course activities before each class. All assignments and presentations must be submitted on time. Students are expected to maintain academic integrity and participate in classroom discussions in a respectful and constructive manner.
Documents Altunbaş, Ç., & Memisoglu, F. (2024). Evaluating the Securitized Migration Policy of the European Union in the Context of Border Security. Lectio Socialis, 8(1), 35-56. https://doi.org/10.47478/lectio.1412017 Bayındır Goularas, G. International Migration in the Twenty-First Century: A General Overview, p. 3-18. Czaika, M. & Reinprecht, C. (2021). Migration Drivers: Why Do People Migrate?, in Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 49-82. Faist, T. (2005). The migration-security nexus: i

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 20
Assignment 2 % 10
Practice 1 % 10
Final examination 1 % 60
Total
5
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 15 3 45
Assignments 2 15 30
Mid-terms 1 30 30
Practice 1 15 15
Final examination 1 30 30
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 150

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Define and explain the key concepts, forms, causes, and consequences of international migration.
2 Explain and critically evaluate major theories and approaches to international migration.
3 Analyze international migration in relation to international relations, migration governance, security, and international law.
4 Compare migration and integration policies across different countries and evaluate their political and social implications.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 First meeting, course introduction, syllabus review - -
2 Key Terms of Migration as a Global Issue Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, p. 1-15 & 16-27; Bayındır Goularas, G. International Migration in the Twenty-First Century: A General Overview, p. 3-18. Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, p. 1-15 & 16-27; Bayındır Goularas, G. International Migration in the Twenty-First Century: A General Overview, p. 3-18.
3 International Migration in World History Marlou, S. (2021). Migration Histories. In Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 25-48. Marlou, S. (2021). Migration Histories. In Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 25-48.
4 Causes and Consequences of International Migration Czaika, M. & Reinprecht, C. (2021). Migration Drivers: Why Do People Migrate?, in Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 49-82; Steiner, N. (2023). “Impact of immigrants”, in International Migration and Citizenship Today, New York: Routledge, p. 47-65; Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, p. 28-40 & 90-108. Czaika, M. & Reinprecht, C. (2021). Migration Drivers: Why Do People Migrate?, in Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 49-82; Steiner, N. (2023). “Impact of immigrants”, in International Migration and Citizenship Today, New York: Routledge, p. 47-65; Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, p. 28-40 & 90-108.
5 Causes and Consequences of International Migration Czaika, M. & Reinprecht, C. (2021). Migration Drivers: Why Do People Migrate?, in Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 49-82; Steiner, N. (2023). “Impact of immigrants”, in International Migration and Citizenship Today, New York: Routledge, p. 47-65; Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, p. 28-40 & 90-108. Czaika, M. & Reinprecht, C. (2021). Migration Drivers: Why Do People Migrate?, in Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 49-82; Steiner, N. (2023). “Impact of immigrants”, in International Migration and Citizenship Today, New York: Routledge, p. 47-65; Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, p. 28-40 & 90-108.
6 Irregular Migration, Refugees and Asylum-seekers Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, p. 54-89; Spencer, S. & Triandafyllidou, A. (2021). Irregular Migration, in Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 191-204. Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, p. 54-89; Spencer, S. & Triandafyllidou, A. (2021). Irregular Migration, in Introduction to Migration Studies, Springer, p. 191-204.
7 Migration and Development Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press; Martin, P. (2020). Rethinking Global Migration Flows, p. 200-215. Koser, K. (2007). International Migration: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press; Martin, P. (2020). Rethinking Global Migration Flows, p. 200-215.
8 Mid-term exam
9 International Migration Theories Wickramasinghe, A. A. I. N., & Wimalaratana, W. (2024). International migration and migration theories. Journal of Economics and Migration Studies, 1(5), 13–32. Wickramasinghe, A. A. I. N., & Wimalaratana, W. (2024). International migration and migration theories. Journal of Economics and Migration Studies, 1(5), 13–32.
10 International Migration and Security Faist, T. (2005). The migration-security nexus: international migration and security before and after 9/11. (COMCAD Working Papers, 9). Bielefeld: Universität Bielefeld, Fak. für Soziologie, Centre on Migration, Citizenship and Development (COMCAD). Vietti, F., & Scribner, T. (2013). Human Insecurity: Understanding International Migration from a Human Security Perspective. Journal on Migration and Human Security, 1(1), 17-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/233150241300100102 Faist, T. (2005). The migration-security nexus: international migration and security before and after 9/11. (COMCAD Working Papers, 9). Bielefeld: Universität Bielefeld, Fak. für Soziologie, Centre on Migration, Citizenship and Development (COMCAD). Vietti, F., & Scribner, T. (2013). Human Insecurity: Understanding International Migration from a Human Security Perspective. Journal on Migration and Human Security, 1(1), 17-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/233150241300100102
11 International Migration Governance International Organization for Migration https://www.iom.int International Organization for Migration https://www.iom.int
12 Migration Policy of Türkiye İçduygu, A., & Aksel, D. B. (2013). Turkish Migration Policies: A Critical Historical Retrospective. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, 18(3), 167-190. İçduygu, A., & Aksel, D. B. (2013). Turkish Migration Policies: A Critical Historical Retrospective. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, 18(3), 167-190.
13 Migration Policies of Different Countries For country studies: https://web-archive.oecd.org/temp/2024-03-05/205170-migration-policies.htm For country studies: https://web-archive.oecd.org/temp/2024-03-05/205170-migration-policies.htm
14 EU Migration Policy Niemann, A., & Zaun, N. (2023). Introduction: EU external migration policy and EU migration governance: introduction. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 49(12), 2965–2985. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2023.2193710 Niemann, A., & Zaun, N. (2023). Introduction: EU external migration policy and EU migration governance: introduction. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 49(12), 2965–2985. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2023.2193710
15 General Evaluation - -
16 Final Exam - -
17 Final Exam

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11
C1 5 4 5 5 3 1 2 4 4 3
C2 5 5 4 5 4 2 2 3 2 3
C3 5 5 5 5 4 2 3 4 4 5
C4 5 5 5 5 4 2 4 5 4 4

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant