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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 323H"
COURSE NAME: "International Migration - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Silvia Scarpa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30-12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Analyzing the various theories of migrations, this course will compare the migratory movements before and after 1945, and examine the present situation in various regions of the world. It will specifically study the impact of international migration on the economic and social development of sending and receiving countries, including the benefits of remittances on countries of origin, integration challenges in host states, the link between the brain drain and the brain gain and the phenomenon of circular migration. Special consideration will be given to irregular immigration, transnational human trafficking, and the condition of asylum seekers and refugees.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course will deal with the integration of migrants in the countries of destination and it will be specifically focused on issues of ethnic diversity, racism, xenophobia and multiculturalism in Europe. A multidisciplinary approach will be used to examine the issues discussed throughout the course.

Students who achieve high levels of academic excellence (minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5) have the option of taking specially designated Honors Courses. These may also include occasional interdisciplinary seminars open only to such students. More frequently, regular John Cabot University courses may be offered with an option of taking them for four academic credits as Honors Courses. Students who register for such courses as Honors Courses must complete additional assignments (e.g., research papers or portfolios) in which they delve more deeply into the subject matter in question. These additional assignments are graded on a "grant of Honors credit/no grant of Honors credit" basis and are not calculated into the final grade for the course. For the granting of Honors credit, students should produce work of a quality that would receive a B (3.00/4.00) or higher and this will be noted on their transcripts. Students taking a course as an Honors Course also enjoy additional mentoring time with the instructor. Instructors for Honors Courses are chosen by the Dean of Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Department Chair, based on their expertise and teaching excellence.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

- assess the major successes and failures of immigration policies in Europe;

- evaluate European states’ management of mixed flows of migrants;

- understand the challenges determined by multiculturalism in Europe.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Multiculturalism: A very short introductionAli RattansiOxford University Press9780199546039  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Essay1,500 words minimum. 80%
Attendance and class participationStudents are expected to attend meetings and to contribute to class discussions.20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

 

 

TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED

 

READING ASSIGNMENTS*

 Week 1

WEEK

 

Introduction to the course

 

Definitions: who is a migrant?

 

 

Koser, ch. 2.

Week 2

Definitions: refugees versus migrants

Definitions: irregular migration, trafficking in persons versus the smuggling of migrants.

Castles, de Haas and Miller, Ch. 10, p. 221-230; Koser, Ch. 6;

 

Koser, ch. 5, Bhabha_Zard_Smuggled or Trafficked; Gallagher_FMR; Castles, de Haas and Miller, Ch. 10, p. 235-238.

Week 3

Cont’

 

Migration before and after 1945

 

 

Castles, de Haas and Miller, ch. 4 and ch. 1, p. 1-19.

Week 4

Migration in Europe and the America continent: a comparison

Cont’

Castles, de Haas and Miller, ch. 5-6.

Week 5

Irregular migration, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants in the Mediterranean sea

Cont’

TBA

Week 6

Migration in the Asia-Pacific region and in Africa and the Middle East: a comparison

Cont’

Castles, de Haas and Miller, Ch. 7-8.

Week 7

 

Migration, security and climate change

Review

Castles, de Haas and Miller, ch. 9.

 

Week 8

Mid-term exam

 

Remittances and brain drain v. brain gain.

 

Koser, Ch. 3-4.

Week 9

Circular migration and development

Submission of abstracts and bibliographies & discussion on advocacy plans

MPI_Circular Migration and Development.

Week 10 

The quest for control

 

Cont’

Castles, de Haas and Miller, ch. 10, p. 215-220, p. 230-235, p. 238.

 

Week 11

New ethnic minorities & Society

 

Cont’

Castles, de Haas and Miller, ch. 12 and ch. 14, p. 326-331.

Week 12

 

SPRING BREAK

 

Week 13

Immigrants and Politics

Deadline for the Submission of Powerpoint/Prezi Presentations

Students’ presentations

Castles, de Haas and Miller, ch. 13.

Week 14

Students’ presentations 

 

Students’ presentations 

 

Week 15

Students’ presentations

Final review session

Week 16

Final exam

Date TBA