Course structure for the Online School

The curriculum for 2023 and 2024

Participants begin the week by engaging in a reflection on the conceptualisation of forced migration, considering the political, legal and anthropological framings of displacement. We then turn on the second day to a discussion and debate on the moral foundations of refugee protection. On the third day participants are given a grounding in international refugee law, and then, on the fourth day, they will delve into the ethics and politics of humanitarianism. From then on, participants will be able to broaden and deepen their knowledge of forced migration through a range of options including, but not limited to: colonialism’s impact on current refugees, psycho-social support for refugees, the protection of victims of trafficking under international refugee and human rights law, and the revival of citizenship stripping in the Global North.

As the week concludes, participants draw upon their new understandings of forced migration to participate in an expert panel discussion on future challenges. Our bespoke curriculum comprises pre-recorded lectures, carefully selected readings, debates, especially designed case-studies, and structured discussions. You will have access to all the Online School’s materials for one week before each School starts and for two weeks after it ends to enable you to prepare for, revisit and implement your learning.

The methodology

The Online School aims to foster a culture of the reflective practitioner while also practising and developing skills useful in the workplace. The course takes an active learning approach, requiring participants to prepare for and then engage in the School’s activities.

The teaching

Tutors and Guest Lecturers are drawn both from the Refugee Studies Centre and from outside institutions and organisations, including UNHCR. They include research staff, refugees, activists, academics and professionals from several disciplines and practices, including anthropology, politics, law, psychology, international relations, and history.

The participants

Around 50 participants from all over the world study together online.

Structure

After watching a set of pre-recorded lectures, and completing the selected readings, students will participate in a series of live and interactive seminars. Seminars will take place daily, usually between 2-4pm BST.

Participants will also be given the opportunity to attend a number of extra-curricular events and more informal social gatherings.

The course will be accessed via the University of Oxford’s virtual learning environment, CANVAS. The platform will utilise Zoom and other software.

While the timetable varies, participants can expect to receive around:

• Three hours of learning materials per day. This will involve lectures, readings, questions and case studies. Please note, all materials are provided in advance of the School, so you prepare and work at a time convenient to you.
• Around two hours of live, seminar style teaching each day.
• The opportunity to attend at least three extra-curricular, social or networking events during the School.
• A wealth of further readings and resources.

The chart below may assist your planning. A detailed timetable for each week will be provided to participants in advance of each School.

Please also visit https://www.timeanddate.com to confirm the time of the live sessions in your area.

All participants will be provided access to materials and pre-recorded lectures a week before the start of the live sessions.

Language of instruction

All teaching and instructional materials are in English.