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 be able to draw from different disciplines and approaches 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: Bordering and Home-making

Readings/Bibliography

Main readings (selected chapters):

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

Gold, S. J., and Nawyn, S. J. (2019) Routledge International Handbook of Migration Studies. Second Edition. 2019. Print. Routledge International Handbooks

Additional readings will be required. Suggested readings will be provided during the classes and students are encouraged to explore readings that match their personal interests.

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 will be suggested during the classes, 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. They will carry out two group presentations (not graded) and submit a written essay (which will be graded), based on the group presentation (individual changes to the group presentation are possible but not needed).

1. For the first group presentation, each group will analyse and present the content of 2 articles related to the course topics. The group, under the lecturer's guidance, will be responsible for selecting the articles. The presentation will take place during class sessions.

2. The second group presentation will be related to a research project chosen by students, related broadly to migration issues, with an emphasis on culture and belonging. It will be scheduled at the end of the course.

The group presentations 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).

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

The report will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Coverage of the main topic and clarity of argument presented (0-22)
• In-depth critical analysis of the topic with a well-structured and coherent argument (23-27)
• Contextualization of the topic analysed, with references to the theoretical models from the course and an original and critical analysis proposed, presenting a very well-structured and coherent argument (28-30 with honors)

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

Non-attending students will have to submit 1) an essay, and 2) take an additional written test (Take-home exam).

1) The essay will be based on a topic of their choice related to a migration, 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). Students are encouraged to contact the lecturer in advance to communicate the specific topic or case study they wish to focus on, and to submit a one-page structured outline accordingly.

2) The take-home test will consist of three questions to be answered within a two-hour timeframe. The questions will relate to the recommended reading: De Haas, H., Castles, S., & Miller, M.J. (2020). The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World (5th ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

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

• Coverage of the main topic/issues and clarity of argument presented (0-22)
• In-depth critical analysis of the topic/issues with a well-structured and coherent argument (23-27)
• Contextualization of the topic/issues analysed, with references to the theoretical models from the course and an original and critical analysis proposed, presenting a very well-structured and coherent argument (28-30 with honors)

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides, articles, multimedia resources

Office hours

See the website of Carla De Tona