SOC40960

This module focuses on the educational challenges arising from migration-related cultural and religious diversity. The most important forms of migration that have shaped post-war Europe are colonial migration, ‘guest worker’ migration, repatriation of co-ethnic minorities in their country of origin (see Germany), illegal immigration, circular and temporary migration and new forms of intra-European mobility. The question of the reception of and reaction to the political and educational changes evoked through immigration is central.


Following an introduction into transatlantic theoretical approaches to the study of migration, we adopt a case-study approach to compare and contrast similarities and differences between countries and systems. Educational systems have a crucial role in balancing cultural diversity and social cohesion. Our emphasis is on assessing educational policies and practices in old migration host societies (such as Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Britain, the United States, Canada) as well as new migration hosts (such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, Greece, Poland, Ireland, Portugal). Our discussion situates the educational responses into broader governmental approaches to migration. Two sets of countries will be compared and contrasted per session, drawing on the input also from guest lecturers.