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.

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

Attendance is mandatory and you are expected to not miss any classes. I will accept a maximum of 2 unexcused absences after which I will deduct 2% 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 14 Dec.

Grade scale. (This scale follows standard university policy)

A      =      94- 100%                    B      =      84-86%                          C-          =          70-73%

A-     =      90-93%                        B-     =      80-83%                          D+         =          67-69%

B+    =      87-89%                        C+    =      77-79%                          D           =          60-66%

                                                      C      =      74-76%                          F           =          0-59%