Transnationalism in Contemporary Society

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

Throughout this course, students will engage in an in-depth analysis of transnational mobility, transnational care, and transnational organizational governance. The focus extends beyond observation, highlighting potential complexities and challenges inherent in transnational practices, particularly within multilevel governance structures, such as those evident within the European Union.

Conceptual Framework & Analytical Tools: Drawing upon seminal works by scholars like Basch et al. (1994) and Vertovec (1999), the course unveils the multifaceted nature of transnationalism. It explores transnationalism as a social morphology, a mode of cultural reproduction, and a site of political engagement. Furthermore, it examines the interplay between transnationalism and various disciplines, illustrating its relevance not only in academic discourse but also in policymaking, international media, and corporate spheres.

In addition to theoretical exploration, students will be introduced to analytical frameworks such as the Governance Analytical Framework (GAF) and Coleman's Boat for social mechanism exploration. These frameworks serve as invaluable tools, enabling students to dissect complex social problems and unveil underlying mechanisms. The application of these analytical approaches aims to demystify intricate social phenomena, providing students with transferable skills beneficial for future social science studies and research endeavours.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1) Grasp Multidisciplinary Perspectives: Develop an extensive understanding of transnationalism theories within Sociology, Organisation Sciences, Political Science and Public Administration, Anthropology, Communication Science, and Human Geography, fostering a comprehensive grasp of diverse disciplinary viewpoints.

2) Discern Transnational Dynamics: Distinguish between globalisation, internationalisation, and transnationalism, critically examining their differences and implications across various social science disciplines.

3) Analyse Transnational Problems: Identify and analyze social phenomena or issues linked to transnational practices using the Governance Analytical Framework (GAF), dissecting problems through problem definition, actors, norms, nodal points, and processes.

4) Utilise Analytical Frameworks: Apply the Governance Analytical Framework (GAF) and Social Mechanism (Coleman’s Boat) to dissect complex transnational problems like elderly care for transnational labourers in the EU, uncovering the intricate mechanisms behind identified challenges.

5) Develop Innovative Interventions: Evaluate prior problem-solving approaches, fostering critical thinking, and devise innovative multidisciplinary interventions collaboratively with peers to effectively address challenges associated with transnationalism.

6) Cultivate Interdisciplinary Thinking: Foster interdisciplinary thinking and scientific reasoning, encouraging problem analysis and intervention in cooperation with peers from various disciplines, promoting an integrated approach to tackling transnational issues.

7) Integrate Levels of Analysis: Explore the interaction between individual, organizational, and institutional levels, examining how media and policies facilitate social interventions within transnational contexts, highlighting interconnectedness across multiple societal levels.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and Collaborative workgroups.

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT

Within the workgroups, students will collaboratively undertake a comprehensive multidisciplinary paper, delving into diverse facets and potential solutions of transnational problem governance. The prescribed word limit for the paper ranges between 2,400 to a maximum of 3,000 words, excluding references and the cover sheet.