Key facts

UNE unit code: PEAC588

*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 3 - Online
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • No
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

UNE student studies on a laptop on her lounge at home

In this unit you will focus on the experiences of refugees and forced migrants in the 21st Century from the joint perspectives of rights and responsibilities.

Studying this unit, you will start by exploring the conflicts which create refugees around the world, and you will compare and contrast the responses of the developed countries to refugees and asylum seekers, especially over the past decade. In contrast, you will also examine the poor developing countries' record of hosting millions of refugees.

The linkages between the political manipulation of refugee issues and the fate of multiculturalism and humanitarian values are a major focus of this unit, alongside the reasons for the particular global reactions to 'boat people'. Refugees' own perspectives are voiced through their oral histories, writings and creative art and issues surrounding the creation and treatment of 'environmental refugees' are also explored.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 3Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
candidature in a postgraduate award
Restrictions
PEAC388 or PEAC488
Combined units

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Helen Ware
Helen WareProfessor of Peace Studies - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. critically evaluate and analyse individual country's legal obligations under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Refugee Protocol;
  2. expertly evaluate and reflect on how they can apply a broad, coherent and advanced body of knowledge and skills relating to global perspective on the factors which result in the creation of refugee outflows;
  3. demonstrate an advanced understanding of the history of developed country attitudes towards asylum seekers and refugees;
  4. evaluate and elaborate government policies towards asylum seekers and refugees in a range of countries accross the world;
  5. identify and analyse the contributions made by earlier waves of refugees to their host countries; and
  6. cogently demonstrate and effectively communicate the issues of racism, religious intolerance and empathy in the refugee context.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
EssayYes40%All offerings

No. Words: 2000

EssayYes60%All offerings

No. Words: 3500

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

What is a Refugee?

ISBN: 9781925321869

Maley, W., Scribe Publications 2016

Text refers to: All offerings

Human Rights Overboard

ISBN: 9781921372407

Briskman, L., Latham, S. and Goddard, C., Scribe Publications 2009

Text refers to: All offerings

Refugee Rights and Policy Wrongs

ISBN: 9781742236520

McAdam, J. and Chong, F., University of New South Wales Press 2nd ed. 2019

Note: Distinguished author, Jane McAdam, was the first Australian recipient of the Gulbenkian prize for Human Rights.

Text refers to: All offerings

A five-star experience

2024 Overall Experience Good University Logo

Five Stars,
18 Years in a Row

UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience

Good Universities Guide 2007-2024
2024 Student Experience Good University Logo

No.1 in NSW for
Student Experience

QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience

QILT Student Experience Survey
2024 Teaching Quality Good University Logo

Five Stars for
Teaching Quality

UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality

Good Universities Guide 2024
Woman studying online at home

Studying online

At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.

We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*

*The Good Universities Guide

Stay connected

Register your interest and we'll keep you updated

UNE collects personal information to help with your enquiry and for marketing. Information may be disclosed outside of NSW and Australia through third parties acting for UNE. By entering your details you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Notice and consent to this disclosure.

Why study with us?

Graduate and mother Claire Haiek at work as a parenting producer at kidspot.com.au

I'm grateful to UNE for the opportunities studying has given me, but above all, for making me realise I could actually do it, and giving me a sense of accomplishment.

Claire Haiek, graduate, Pathways Enabling Course (photo: kidspot.com.au)

What happens next?

laptop icon
1. Decide on your course

Got any questions about a course you would like to study? Don’t hesitate to contact us, our Future Student team is standing by to help.

pencil icon
2. Apply

2024 applications are now open. The application process only takes 20 minutes to complete. Don’t delay, apply now!

form icon
3. Receive an offer, enrol and start studying

Your start date is based on the study period you choose to apply for.