Module Information

The module begins with a survey of US immigration policy, before going on to examine the experiences of groups of refugees and would-be refugees in their home countries and in the United States. There is a particular emphasis on the links between foreign policy and refugee policy, as the module examines why certain national and religious groups were given privileged access to the United States while others were excluded. During most of this period, the Cold War led US policymakers to believe it important to provide refuge to those leaving Communist states, even if they had not been singled out for persecution. On the other hand, would-be refugees from friendly countries were not welcome. The module will also look beyond Washington to discuss the part played by non-governmental organizations and individuals as advocates for the admission of certain groups, and at the role of public opinion in the reception of refugees. The final focus is on the resettlement of refugees in the United States. How did they cope with the challenges of a new country, a new language and a new culture? To what extent can they be said to have assimilated in American society?

Special Subjects provide third-year students with an opportunity to study a particular period in great depth and partly on the basis of primary sources. They are intensively taught, and particularly high standards of precision, creativity and knowledge are expected from students. Together with the dissertation and the general historical problems module, they provide final-year students with an opportunity to demonstrate the maturation of their historical and other skills and of their intellectual sensitivity. The range of special subjects reflects the range of teaching and research interests on the part of departmental staff. As in other core courses, a wide choice of periods and approaches is made available.