SOC40670

Throughout modern history, migration has fundamentally altered the character of human societies so that ethno-racial differences remain a central and defining issue in the contemporary nation-state context. This module provides a selective overview of the unfolding of contemporary global migrations. In addition to looking at the various modalities and processes of migration taking place in various diverse countries - Ireland, Afghanistan and China for example (the countries selected may change from year to year), it examines processes of nationalism, state formation, refugee movement and social closure that are correlated with such movements. Issues such as citizenship, how migrants are perceived by states and lay actors, and racialisation will also be discussed in a historical and theoretical framework. In addition to scholarly books and articles the course will include films, documentaries and various policy documents.
Each seminar lecture is 2 hours long running over 10 weeks.
As well as an empirical and historical focus the course also draws on theory, so some familiarity with sociological, cultural, political, or philosophical theories is recommended.
Students must bring a summary of the given reading when attending.