57850 - Sociology of Migrations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able to understand and contextualize contemporary migration processes, concerning general tendencies, causes stimulating migration, nexus between migration and labour market, urban transformations. By focussing on topics such as migratory networks, gender, families, second generations, refugees and asylum seekers, the student is able to understand main aspects of policies regulating migrations and integration.

Course contents

The course aims to provide the main conceptual and analytical tools for a sociological analysis of migrations, presenting the most accredited interpretation models, the most recent trends and the social impact of this phenomenon in the Mediterranean area.

The course is organized in two modules. The first one will introduce the contemporary debate on international migrations and the interpretation models of this phenomenon from different disciplines.

The second module will be focussed on classic and contemporary ethnographic researches on migration. After dealing with the masterpieces of the Chicago Schools, the course will introduce contemporary ethnographic researches on migration, focussing, in particular, on the following topics:

1. Migration and territories

2. Migration and labour markets

3. Gender and intersectional perspectives

4. Ethnographies within asylum seekers' and refugees' reception centres

Readings/Bibliography

The following texts will be discussed during the course and during the exam:

Compulsory books:

1. M. Ambrosini, Sociologia delle migrazioni, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2011

2. C. Capello, P. Cingolani, F. Vietti, Etnografia delle migrazioni, Carocci, Roma, 2014

One of the following books:

Migration and territories

- Bergamaschi, M., Piro, V. Processi di territorializzazione e flussi migratori. Pensare le migrazioni in prospettiva territoriale, numero monografico della rivista «Sociologia Urbana e Rurale», 117, 2018 (scaricabile gratuitamente da qualsiasi postazione di ateneo)

Migration and labour markets

- Perrotta D., Vite in cantiere. Migrazione e lavoro dei rumeni in Italia, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2011

Gender and intersectional perspectives

- Vianello F.A., Migrando sole, Angeli, Milano, 2009

Youth:

- Queirolo Palmas L. (a cura di), Dentro le gang. Giovani, migranti e nuovi spazi pubblici, Ombre Corte, Verona, 2009

Ethnographies within asylum seekers' and refugees' reception centres

- Altin, R. et al. (a cura di) Richiedenti asilo e sapere antropologico, numero monografico della rivista, «Antropologia Pubblica», 3, 1, 2017

Further material and references will be available during the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars

Assessment methods

Exams are pursued to check the achievement of the following learning objectives:
1. Being able to recognize the essential features of this discipline.
2. Knowing the sociological debate about migrations.
3. Knowing how to identify and analyze the main characteristics of contemporary migrations.
4. Knowing how to use the most important concepts of this discipline.
The final grade will be based on an oral exam about topics related to the main objectives of the course. We will assess positively students who are able to move within the bibliography indicated in the syllabus, who have an organic vision of the issues, and a proficient skill in oral expression.

Teaching tools

Slide, videos, external guests.

Office hours

See the website of Maurizio Bergamaschi

See the website of Valeria Piro