Law

Textbook series for sociology students at universities and colleges The volumes in this series introduce the central research areas, theories and methods of sociology in an academically sound manner and in understandable language, and convey the field’s basic study contents for prospective sociologists. The consistent focus on problems and the didactic preparation of the volumes’ individual chapters facilitate access to their specialist content. The series is ideally suited to exam preparation, e.g. through summaries, knowledge and comprehension questions as well as diagrams and thematic cross-references.

In our times of globalisation, academic research is increasingly focusing on subjects such as migration and integration. Several thousands of people flee their home countries every day, many of whom feel forced to do so for economic reasons. Migrants and their descendants are now part and parcel of life in the countries that take them in, as many of them have settled permanently in their adopted homes. These immigrants will affect the future of these countries and also often of their countries of origin, among other things by participating in fields such as education, employment, sport and culture. The series of publications discusses all the issues relevant to research on migration and immigration and welcomes studies from all disciplines. Among other things, it is committed to publishing studies that endeavour to understand the causes and effects of migration and border demarcation better by using theoretical or empirical approaches, which are either quality or quantity-oriented. The series therefore contributes to an understanding and the promotion of the process of integration in all its possible dimensions. It considers migration and integration not only on an individual migrant level, but also from the point of view of relevant organisations and the state with its particular geographical, political, economic and cultural characteristics, a knowledge of which is necessary to be able to fully comprehend the global process of migration and integration. In this way, the series not only provides basic knowledge on migration and integration, but also offers guidance to decision makers in politics and society as well as to an interested public.

During the course of European integration, which is based on cooperation between autonomous states, regions have gradually become more important and have intensified their collaborative work with regions beyond the EU’s borders. However, European integration and regionalism, which includes cross-border cooperation between regions, are governed by different dynamics that are related to centralisation and decentralisation, which generates a certain amount of tension. This means that pursuing both paths (at the same time) throws up a whole host of questions, some of which are extremely complex. This collection of publications is the result of collaborative academic work between the Universities of Innsbruck, Bolzano and Trento as well as the EURAC Research Centre in Bolzano under the direction of the Research Centre on Federalism at the University of Innsbruck. It aims to publish the latest research studies on the role of regions in Europe.

The series of publications entitled ‘Theologie, Bildung, Ethik und Recht’ (‘Theology, Education, Ethics and Law’) contains academic contributions on subjects that are not only particularly relevant in terms of Islamic and theological thinking today but also in terms of classifying discourse that is related to Islam. The series’ broad thematic scope is intended to promote interdisciplinary exchange between the four subject areas mentioned in its title. Its academic approach connects innovative research perspectives and critical discussions with traditional knowledge of Islam, and it aims to provide both experts and any other readers interested in this subject area with access to the findings of current research. Furthermore, the series aims to provide a forum for discussion on current issues and debates from Islam and theology as well as for reflections on theology, education, ethics and law from other academic disciplines.

Academically sound and written in comprehensible language, the volumes in this series introduce the central research areas in, theories on and methods used in media- and communication studies, while conveying the subject’s fundamental study contents for prospective academics. The books’ consistent problem orientation and the didactic preparation of their individual chapters facilitate access to the subject’s specialist content. This series is ideally suited to exam preparation, among other things by means of summaries, questions which test knowledge, comprehension questions, charts and thematic cross-references.