The Sociology of Migrations: The Context of Spain and the European Union

The Sociology of Migrations: The context of Spain and the European Union

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE COMPLETED

No previous knowledge is required.

COMPETENCES AND SKILLS THAT WILL BE ACQUIRED AND LEARNING RESULTS:

Migration and the consequences of migration has and still is one of the most important social phenomena’s in the world. Consequently, it is central for policy makers at all levels including intergovernmental institutions such as the European Union. The phenomena are furthermore affecting a broad range of social institutions, social processes, and our way of life. In other words, migration in all its forms has far reaching demographic, cultural, and political implications. This course aim at introducing its students to migration, its problems and opportunities. After the course the:

• Students will be able to critically analyze contemporary debates around immigration, immigration policy, border controls, refugees and integration in Europe and further afield;
• Students will develop an understanding of historical processes of migration and patterns of migration;
• Students will learn to understand the mechanisms behind migration processes; why people migrate. They will also become acquainted with different theoretical approaches that explain these mechanisms;
• Students will be able to identify and differentiate between the major theories of migration utilized in current debates;
• Students will be able to apply concepts from sociological theories of migration to experiences of migration and integration

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS: PROGRAMME

The course focus both on past and present migration.  It analyses migration from different but related angles such as; demographic, social, political, and economic, with emphasis on the main scientific and political debates. The following broad content outline will be covered:

• History of migration.
• Demography and migration.
• Migration theory – i.e. explaining migration phenomena.
• Migration policy EU regulation and national policy approaches, with emphasis on the Spanish case.
• Ethnicity, Integration and Segregation in Spain and in the EU.
• Attitudes on migration
• Forced migration (i.e., migration due to natural disasters and war)

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGY

Active participation is required, and class attendance is mandatory. The course will be based on lectures, exercises and active learning modules. The lectures introduce the different topics covered in the course, providing the student with the necessary background to give meaning and content to individual and group exercises. In the active learning modules, the students will be given the possibility to conduct more in-depth studies of migration phenomena’s and the problems related to them. Students, and groups of students, have to present their work to the rest of the class, with a view to train their capacity to synthesis complex information and presentation skills.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

The student work will consist on three tasks:
1) Active Participation. Readings, class discussion and short exercises (10%).
2) Presentation and essay (40%).
3) Final exam (50%).

Class attendance is mandatory. Unjustified absence in more than three instances will result in failure of the course.