300042 Dissent over Refugees (Research Training) - Part II (LEH) (WiSe 2017/2018)

In this research training (Lehrforschung) we analyse how core European values and norms are contested, re-framed and re-affirmed by conflicting positions on refugee questions. Across Europe, discussions have taken center stage on the support citizens provided to newly arrived refugees and the fines citizens were given for doing so. Take, for example, Germany, Austria and Denmark in 2015. Also, public controversies surrounded alleged sexual abuse of European women by asylum seekers; for example, in Cologne, December 2015. Last but not least, a series of intensively debated policy measures taken to prevent forced migrants from applying for asylum in Europe have stood at the center of attention. Of prime importance have been the EU-Turkey deal and the relocation of refugees from and to Greece. One of the main dividing lines in public controversies has been between solidarity with refugees vs. protection of cultural homogeneity in the countries of reception. There have been views expressing civic solidarity as European citizens have welcomed refugees by engaging in volunteering action and participating in public demonstrations. By contrast, there have been law and order positions and also right-wing populist which have challenged incumbent political parties and governments. These processes have been accompanied by debates over the fear of social downward mobility and the fallout of neo-liberal policies on social inequalities and cultural identities. This situation highlights debates over core European and constitutional values, such as personal autonomy, gender equality, equality before the law and human dignity. The controversial discussions have equally concerned norms embedded in international law and national constitutions, such as the responsibility to protect refugees.
This research training addresses the dissent over values and norms, sparked by refugee issues. Various approaches can be applied, such as ethnographic field research, survey analysis, and specific methods to dissect controversial debates.

Die Kommunikationssprache in dieser Veranstaltung ist Englisch. Schriftliche Leistungen in anderen Sprachen sind möglich (u.a. Deutsch, Französisch).
Literaturangaben

Recommended Reading: Alan Bryman, 2015. Social Research Methods. Fifth Edition. Oxford University Press