Module manager: Dr Matthew Frank
Email: M.Frank@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module examines the emergence of the European refugee problem in the twentieth century. We will look at how states and multilateral institutions responded to successive crises, as well as at the international machinery developed to cope with them and the myriad of schemes proposed and put in place to resettle Europe’s 'problem populations'. We will also focus on the relationship between refugees and the development of the modern nation-state, including how refugee crises helped foster national consciousness among displaced populations. Although the main focus of the module is on the period between the end of the First World War and the late 1950s, we will also discuss how the refugee issue developed with the emergence of the doctrine of 'human rights' and the early Cold War, as well as the impact decolonization had on the European refugee problem. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The objective of the module is to equip you with a deep understanding of a broad period of modern European history from a comparative perspective and a greater awareness of the role that refugees/refugee problems have played in shaping in modern Europe.
The module also aims to enable you to differentiate between forced migrations, their causes and consequences and to engage with conceptual issues on the theme of displacement.
The module will encourage you to develop a firm grasp of the historiographical controversies surrounding this topic as well as of relevant primary sources.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Seminar | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| Private study hours | 355.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
For the essay, you will produce an annotated essay plan and discuss this plan in a tutorial with the seminar leader towards the end of semester 1. In advance of the OTLA, students will submit and receive feedback on two non-assessed sample gobbet answers or essay plans, which can be discussed in a tutorial with the module leader.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or Dissertation | Essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 28/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team