57850 - Sociology of Migrations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will have a general overview of international migration and of the main interpretative models of this phenomenon and related issues. They will have acquired the main conceptual tools for the study of the migration phenomenon developed in the sociological field, not limiting itself to the classical ones of economic or demographic derivation, but extending its focus to the most recent interpretative frames.

Course contents

The course aims to provide the main conceptual and analytical tools for a sociological analysis of migration, presenting the most accredited interpretative models, the most recent trends and the social impact of the phenomenon, in particular in the Mediterranean context.

In the first block, the coordinates of the contemporary debate on international migration and the interpretative models of the phenomenon will be reconstructed starting from some theoretical contributions from different fields of study. Within this module, part of the lectures will be devoted to the theme of the ethnicization of the socio-urban issue in the French and English context.

In the second module of 10 hours, the phenomenon of Italian emigration and the complementarity between emigration and immigration will be discussed. This issue will be treated first from an historical perspective, with particular attention to the period going from the beginning of the nineteen centuries to the seventies. It will also present the main features that distinguish the emigration of Italians today in terms of profiles involved, regions of origin, destinations, motivations, and the role of social relations in integration processes. Finally, this module will include meetings and discussions (led by the professor) with some Italians who have emigrated abroad (virtual connection) and a seminar (presentation by Tino Schlinzig ETH Wohnforum - ETH CASE) in English focused on the relationship between immigration and mobility, in which the concept of multilocality will be discussed in order to understand the reconciliation of different spaces and territories in a transnational perspective.

In the third seminar module, students will be able to follow the presentations of empirical researches on the topic of migration, in order to increase their knowledge and tools for the analysis and discussion of this complex social phenomenon.

Readings/Bibliography

1. M. Ambrosini, Sociology of Migration, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2020.

2. A. Sayad, An Algerian Nanterre, land of bidonvilles, 2020

3. M. Alberio, and F. Berti, Italians leaving Italy. Le nuove emigrazioni al tempo della crisi, Milan, Mimesis international., 2020

4. M. Schier, T. Schlinzig and G. Montanari. "The logic of multi-local living arrangements - methodological challenges and the potential of qualitative approaches". In: Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie/Journal of Economic & Social Geography. Special Issue 'Multi-locality Studies - A Residential Perspective', 2015, Vol. 106, No. 4, pp. 425-438. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tesg.2015.106.issue-4/issuetoc

Teaching methods

Lectures will be complemented by seminars. In both cases the active involvement of the students is expected.

Assessment methods

The examination aims at verifying the achievement of the following learning objectives:

1. Knowing how to recognize the essential features of the discipline;

2. To know the evolution of the sociological debate on migration phenomena;

3. Being able to identify and analyze the main features of contemporary migration phenomena;

4. To know how to use with propriety the fundamental interpretative concepts of the discipline.

The final grade of the course is defined through two partial written tests. The first one will be taken at the end of the first module, while the second will coincide with the end of the third module.

For those who do not take part to the intermediary tests, the final grade of the course will be defined by an oral test on topics related to the main objectives of the course. A positive evaluation will be given to the student's ability to move within the bibliographic material indicated in the examination program, as well as an organic vision of the themes addressed and the language adopted.

Teaching tools

PPT and other materials will be made available on line on "VIRTUALE".

Office hours

See the website of Marco Alberio

See the website of Carolina Mudan Marelli