57850 - Sociology of Migrations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able to understand and contextualise contemporary migration processes, with reference to general trends, the causes of migration, the links between immigration and the labour market, and immigration-related urban changes. Through in-depth studies on ethnic networks, gender differences and families, second generations and refugees, the student is able to gather and understand the fundamental elements of migration regulation and immigrant policies.

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 the Mediterranean context.

In the first module, 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.

In the second module, lasting a total of 6 hours, the phenomenon of recent emigrations will be dealt with. Special attention will be paid to the Ukrainian migration phenomenon following the outbreak of war and the reception procedures that have been put in place within the European context. This module will include a 2-hour talk by an external guest employed within the reception services, which will enable students to fully understand the socio-political implications of this new wave of migration.

In the third module, a seminar-style module, students will be able to follow presentations of empirical research on the topic of migration in order to increase their knowledge and tools for analysing and discussing this complex social phenomenon.

Readings/Bibliography

1. M. Ambrosini, Sociologia delle migrazioni, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2020

2. A. Sayad, Una Nanterre algerina, terra di bidonvilles, 2020

3. V. Piro e D. Sacchetto, 2021, “Subcontracted racial capitalism: the interrelationship of race and production in meat processing plants”, Work in the Global Economy, 1.1-2, pp. 33-53

4. G. Grappi, 2020, “Europe and the Contested Politics of Migration: Between Logistification and Global Justice”, GLOBUS Research Paper 7/2020, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3557952 or http://sci-hub.tw/10.2139/ssrn.3557952 [http://sci-hub.tw/10.2139/ssrn.3557952]

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 recognise the essential features of the discipline;

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

3. Being able to identify and analyse 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 programme, as well as an organic vision of the themes addressed and the language adopted.

Teaching tools

Slides made available on IOL

Office hours

See the website of Carolina Mudan Marelli