B4173 - MIGRATION, BORDERS AND IDENTITIES IN GLOBAL SOCIETIES

Learning outcomes

The course aims to reflect critically on key conceptual and theoretical approaches to migration from a sociological perspective, focusing on the heterogeneity of the migrants’ trajectories, their connections and practices of identity formations. The course will explore the ways in which different categories of migrants (including asylum seekers, refugees, skilled migrants and transnational/diaspora communities) shape mobility experiences in global societies, with a focus on the intersectionality of gender, race and ethnicity. Starting from the recognition of the complex social world in which migrants interact, the course will evaluate how migrants shape societies both in the countries of new settlement and those of origin and how migrants inhabit and sustain transnational and global spaces of belonging. This will involve linking migration and transnationalism to wider sociological debates on race and ethnicity and on the politics of social and cultural belonging. The course will critically evaluate how migration raises complex questions of belonging and citizenship in global societies and will look at issues related to integration and multiculturalism. It will also focus on the structural forces that shape migrant exclusions, discriminations, and racialisations.

Course contents

The course aims to enable students to reflect critically on the complex phenomenon of global migration and the consequences for the societies that send and receive diversifying flows of migrants. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the key theories and concepts that analyse contemporary migration, transnationalism and diaspora. They will draw from relevant analytical tools to reflect on contemporary migration issues and debates, with a focus on the politics of social and cultural belonging.

The course will be structured to cover the following topics:

Topic 1: Migrant Categories

Topic 2: Migration Theories

Topic 3: Diaspora, Transnationalism, Globalisation

Topic 4: Ethnicity, Race and Racialisation

Topic 5: Gender and Migrant Women

Topic 6: Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Integration

For more details see the syllabus in Teaching Resources on the Virtual Learning Environment, which will be published at the start of the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Main readings:

De Haas, H., Castles, S., and Miller, M.J. (2020) The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan (5th edition).

Brettell, C. and Hollifield, J. F. (2015) Migration Theory: Talking Across Discipline. London: Routledge 

More details will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

The course will consist of lessons and seminars and will host special lectures from invited speakers. Group presentations will be integral to the course to enable students a direct participation in active learning methods.

Assessment methods

The content of the course is the same for attending students and non-attending students. Apart from the readings suggested, the students will require to select further reading materials related to a topic of their choice (broadly related to migration) to add to their preparation for their final examination. Some readings can be identified during the class, while others can be identified by students themselves independently or consulting with the lecturer.

The assessment method will be different for attending and non-attending students.

Attending students

Attending students (who have attended at least 70% of the lessons in person) are exempt from the written test, as they will carry out a group work, which will include a group presentation and a written report.

The group presentation will be inherent to a topic of their choice loosely related to migration issues, to be scheduled at the end of the course. It will not be assessed but will need to be a genuine group effort, coherently structured and well organised (10% will be deducted from the final mark for each of these requirements if not met).

Each student will then submit the group report of the presentation (2500 words, a bibliography should be included but it will not count towards the word limit) for assessment. Individual changes can be made if preferred, but they are not needed.

The report will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Coverage of main topics and compliance with briefing instructions (0-22)
• In-depth analysis of the case study/selected topic presented (23-27)
• Contextualization of the problem in relation to the theoretical models of the course (28-30 with honours)

Non-attending students

Non-attending students will have to submit an essay and take a written test.

The essay will be based on a topic of their choice related to a migration case across the Global North and Global South, with an emphasis on issues of culture and belonging (2500 words, a bibliography should be included but it will not count towards the word limit). It is recommended that students will contact the lecturer in advance to identify a specific topic/case study to focus on during their preparation.

The written test will be based on 3 questions that have to be answered in 1 hour, related to the suggested readings.

The essay and the test will be assessed based on the following criteria:

- Demonstrates an adequate understanding of the questions and adequate knowledge of the key issues (0-22)

- Demonstrates an accurate and complete understanding of the key issues and answers display clarity of thought and critical analysis (23-27)

- Demonstrates depth of reflection and contextualizes the problem in relation to the theoretical models of the course (28-30 with honours)

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides, articles, video projection

Office hours

See the website of Carla De Tona