210074 SE BAK12 Austrian Politics (2017S)

In this seminar we will examine the phenomenon of collective action in relation to immigration. We will look at how and why immigration has become a politicized issue, and what this politicization implies for Western immigration nations. We will study pro- and anti-migration movements, as well as the rise of protest among migrants themselves. The course will also cover more institutionalized forms of protest including radical right parties in Western democracies. We will also discuss the recent emergence of refugee support groups during the so called “migration crisis”.
The course, thus, engages with different forms of collective action. It enables students to understand contentious politics in relation to immigration, and to differentiate social movements from other forms of collective action, as well as to understand the connections between these different forms of action.

By the end of the module, students are expected to:
-Demonstrate independent and critical understanding of the most important aspects of contentious politics and immigration
-Demonstrate understanding of contextual factors that shape forms of collective action and protest related to immigration
-Fully identify the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical approaches to and analytical concepts of the study of social movements
-Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, including understanding complex concepts and theories, exercising critical judgement, problem-solving skills; making effective oral and written presentations, utilising specialist primary and secondary sources, and deepening the capacity for independent learning
-Write essays in English with a coherent argument that are referenced in accordance with established academic practice
-Establish an in depth knowledge of the Austrian case