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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC/PL 207"
COURSE NAME: "Migration and Contemporary Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Isabella Clough Marinaro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: Friday mornings. Please email me to set up a Teams appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on one of the most important social phenomena of our globalized times: human migration. Students will explore the main debates about what causes people to migrate, the key impacts this has on the economic, social and cultural life of the places they leave and those they move to. The course examines the great diversity of forms and patterns of contemporary migration, alternating between looking at large-scale phenomena and local case-studies and individual migrant experiences. It explores how governments and institutions respond to migrant populations and how migrants adapt to and transform the environments they live in.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course examines the processes by which people decide to migrate, the routes and destinations they choose, their experiences during and after migration. It explores how gender, social class, family and social networks, institutional policies and technological developments influence individual choices and large-scale patterns. A variety of types of migration are explored, from low-skilled labor migration to elite lifestyle choices and forced migration. It investigates the consequences of migration on the sending, transit and receiving contexts, looking at how those societies are changed politically, economically and culturally by increasingly mobile populations. We examine the role played by state policies and legislation in the conditions of documented and undocumented migrants, as well as the situations of refugees and asylum seekers, and we explore the ways migrants mould their environments and social relations in their daily practices.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

·         Explain the main methods for studying migration flows and patterns

·         Understand and interpret quantitative and qualitative data on documented and undocumented migration

·         Summarize the main theoretical perspectives on the causes and consequences of migration and apply them to specific case-studies

·         Identify the main contemporary demographic and geographical patterns in international migration

·         Outline the roles played by gender, socio-economic background, and access to legal documents in the experiences of migrants

·         Discuss the main causes of forced migration and the challenges facing displaced people, asylum-seekers and refugees

·         Evaluate the rationale and effectiveness of state responses to mass migration in the context of globalization

·         Discuss the main theories on how migrants develop their identities and transform societies from below

USEFUL JOURNALS (full text of articles available through JCU library)

The International Migration Review

International Migration

Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies

Forced Migration Review

USEFUL WEB RESOURCES

https://www.migrationdataportal.org/

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/

https://gmdac.iom.int/

https://www.iom.int/

https://worldmigrationreport.iom.int/

https://www.un.org/en/desa/international-migration-2020-highlights

https://www.oecd.org/migration/international-migration-outlook-1999124x.htm

https://www.fmreview.org/

https://www.migrationinstitute.org/

https://cmsny.org/

https://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/

Further links can be found at: http://openborders.info/migration-information-web-resources/

 

There is no textbook for this course. Students will receive links to the class readings on Moodle.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term examA mixture of short and long answer questions in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings.20%
Final ExamA mixture of short and long answer questions in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings.25%
Presentation on in-depth interviewStudents will interview one or more people with a personal history of migration. The grade will be based on the depth, detail and clarity of the account and the links made to class discussions so far. The grade includes the presentation and accompanying notes.10%
Class participationStudents are expected to take notes on class lectures, show evidence of having done the readings for each class and to ask questions and actively participate in class discussions.15%
Research presentation 10%Students give a 10 minute presentation on their chosen research project (preferably using powerpoint to illustrate their points). See guidelines and scoring rubric provided in class.10%
Final research projectStudents explore in depth an aspect of migration which interests them most, presenting the core issues, dynamics and impacts involved, drawing from the recommended readings and further bibliographical research. See guidelines and scoring rubric provided in class.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 cou
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

 

Attendance is mandatory and you are expected to not miss any classes. If you have to miss a class for health reasons, I expect you to email me in advance and attend the class on-line. If you are too ill to do so, I can record the class for you. You should then watch the video and do all related activities and assignments as soon as possible. I will accept a maximum of 3 absences after which I will deduct 3% of your final grade for each class missed.

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 6 May, 2022.
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

Session

Topic

Assignments (Readings are for subsequent class)

WK 1 A

 

17 Jan

Introduction to the Course

Roose at al, Introduction: Patterns and Implications of

Migration and Rebordering. In Sata, R., et al (2020). Transnational Migration and Border-Making: Reshaping Policies and Identities.

WK 1 B

 

19 Jan

Concepts and methods in the study of migration

Watch Human Flow documentary

Explore on-line resources

WK 2 A

 

24 Jan

Why migrate? Debates on the causes and consequences of migration

Lipura, S. J., & Collins, F. L. (2020). Towards an integrative understanding of contemporary educational mobilities: a critical agenda for international student mobilities research. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 18, 3, 343-359.

WK 2 B

 

26 Jan

Student migration

Ch. 4 In-depth interviewing.

Top of Form

Taylor et al (2016). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. Bottom of Form

 

WK 3 A

 

31 Jan

Preparing for interview assignment

Start identifying interviewee, developing interview questions, doing background reading.

WK 3 B

 

2 Feb

Elite and lifestyle migration

Hanlon & Vicino (2014) Ch 2. Global Migration

WK 4 A

 

7 Feb

Labour migration, past and present

Do research assignment on Moodle

WK 4 B

 

9 Feb

Migrants and work

 

WK 4 C

 

11 Feb

FRIDAY

MAKE-UP DAY

 

Migrants and work cont’d

Remittances and Migrants. Sage Handbook of International Migration

WK 5 A

 

14 Feb

Remittances and development

Immigration and gender: Health and labor conditions, implications and challenges. In Descoteaux. Immigration and Migration: Trends, Management and Challenges. Nova, 2019.

WK 5 B

 

16 Feb

Gendered experiences of migration

Group A: Ch 3

Group B: Ch 4

Sex, Love, and Migration : Postsocialism, Modernity, and Intimacy from Istanbul to the Arctic

WK 5 C

 

18 Feb

FRIDAY

MAKE-UP DAY

 

Love and family across borders

Luibhéid, Sexualities and international migration. Routledge International Handbook of Migration Studies

WK 6 A

 

21 Feb

Sexualities, migration and asylum

Ní Raghallaigh, The integration of asylum seeking and refugee children: resilience in the face of adversity. In: Research Handbook on Child Migration

WK 6 B

 

23 Feb

Child migration

Mid-term exam

WK 7 A

 

28 Feb

Transnationalism

Kulcsár, The day after tomorrow: migration and climate change. Routledge International Handbook of Migration Studies

 

WK 7 B

 

2 March

Environmental migration

Bakewell. Unsettling the boundaries between forced and voluntary migration. Handbook on the Governance and Politics of Migration

WK 8 A

 

7 March

Forced migration

Finish interview notes for in-class presentation on interviews

WK 8 B

 

9 March

Student presentations on interviews

 

 

WK 9 A

 

14 March

Student presentations on interviews

 

Ch 11. The Evolution and Effectiveness of Migration Policies. The Age of Migration

WK 9 B

 

16 March

 

Migration and asylum legislation (and their effects)

The Impact of Natives’ Attitudes Towards Immigrants on their Integration in the Host Country

 

SPRING BREAK

 

WK 10 A

 

28 March

 

Systems of incorporation and exclusion

Turner, Governing, experiencing and contesting camps and encampment. In Handbook on the Governance and Politics of Migration

WK 10 B

 

30 March

Deadline Research Project Outlines

 

Refugee camps and hotspots

Read: Situating deportation and expulsion in migration governance. In Handbook on the Governance and Politics of Migration

Watch an episode of Undocumented

WK 11 A

 

4 April

Undocumented migration

Farr, Human Trafficking. Routledge International Handbook of Migration Studies

WK 11 B

 

6 April

Human trafficking and smuggling

Piazzoni, F. (2020). Visibility as Justice: Immigrant Street Vendors and the Right to Difference in Rome.Journal of Planning Education and Research.

WK 12 A

 

11 April

Migration and the city

 

 

WK 12 B

 

13 April

Student presentations

 

WK 13 A

 

18 April

NO CLASS

ITALIAN NATIONAL HOLIDAY

 

 

 

WK 13 B

 

20 April

Student presentations

 

Deadline Research Papers

 

 

WK 14 A

 

25 April

NO CLASS

ITALIAN NATIONAL HOLIDAY

 

 

 

WK 14 B

 

27 April

Student presentations