Brown Leadership Institute (Session 1) - Leadership For Immigration and Refugee Policy

Of the many contested policy issues that have risen to national attention since Trump’s presidency, perhaps none have been as controversial as the issue of immigration. Proposals about “the border wall,” deportations, and the banning of entire groups of people have received both praise and criticism. Yet, while debates about immigration policies have intensified, these conversations are certainly not new ones. In fact, immigration—and U.S. responses to it—have a long history defined by contradictions and shifting priorities. Through stimulating discussions and activities, students will explore the history of immigration, deportation, and refugee policies enacted in response to past humanitarian crises. Students will investigate past and current U.S. border-making and monitoring; studying the use of immigrant processing centers, such as Ellis Island and Angel Island, as well as walls, policing, and detention centers. Students will also dive deeper into an analysis of how people with power; including politicians, doctors, employers, and the police, shaped immigration policy in the twentieth century, creating a foundation for today's policies and politics. This course will also require students to engage in transnational analyses to study the push and pull factors that dictate flows of immigrants. Ultimately, through immigration history and critical refugee studies, students will achieve a more nuanced understanding of the longstanding contradictions present in immigration laws, policing, and policies in the United States that influence global patterns of moment. A critical understanding of immigration, past and present, can help shape new policies and offer alternative futures. Students will apply this understanding to current events and as they develop their own Action plan. This course provides a comprehensive foundation for future studies in a wide range of interdisciplinary humanities and social science fields including: history, anthropology, public policy, American studies, political science, and legal studies. Students with a wide array of career interests will find the course material relevant and applicable. Please Note: This course is part of the Leadership Institute, a two-week academic program that helps students cultivate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes associated with effective and socially responsible leadership. This unique program consists of three integrated elements: academic content, leadership development, and the Action Plan. Our students are thoughtful and compassionate youth who are interested in social issues and creating positive change. Participants can look forward to full days in a community of engaged and curious learners. Application process includes: online application, essay, transcript, application fee. Accepted Pre-College students may apply for Dean’s Scholarships, awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and academic merit. Need is determined by considering several factors, including family income, family size, number of siblings in college, and housing expenses.