Study Programmes 2015-2016
SOCI2246-1  
Current Debates in Migration and Ethnic Studies
Duration :
30h Th
Number of credits :
Master in anthropology (120 ECTS)6
Master in sociology (120 ECTS)6
Master in sociology (120 ECTS)6
Master in sociology (120 ECTS)6
Master in sociology (120 ECTS)6
Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : musicology3
Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : musicology3
Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : musicology6
Lecturer :
Jean-Michel Lafleur
Coordinator :
N...
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The course presents some of the most important recent developments in ethnic and migration studies.  It is not required to have followed "sociology of migration" to register for this class but "current debate" is a logic continuous of it. The course is organize around a series of lectures and conferences given by Jean-Michel Lafleur and François Gemenne in addition to a limited number of guest speakers. The presence of students to these conferences is mandatory. These conferences focus on the latest research development in the field of migratio and ethnic studies. For the academic year 2015-2016, the conference and lecture will address these different issues: -Asylum and refugee issues -Migration in the EU and the economic crisis -Migrant integration in Belgium  The (minimum) 6 planned conferences will take place during the second semester of the academic year 2015-2016 during class hours. Dates will be comunicated in due course.  
Learning outcomes of the course :
The aim of the course is to deepen students knowledge of concepts, theories and empirical developments in the field of migration and ethnic studies.
More precisely, the course is designed to:
-improved students ability to read and understand scientific articles and reports in English
-develop ability to engage in discussions in the field of migration and ethnicity using their readings
-develop scientific writing skills with a research paper
 
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
  • A passive and active knowledge of written and spoken English is essential (this is not a language course).
  • Having previously followed the course « Sociology of Migration » is useful but not required.
 
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The course activites are the following:
-mandatory reading of one or two scientific articles before each class to prepare for discussion
-students may be requested to answer short prepatarory questions in writing before each class
-attendance of a minimum of 6 lectures
-writing of a research paper 
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
  • Face-to-face: students participation in the conferences is required.
  • distance-learning: answers to questions on the preparatory readings
 
Recommended or required readings :
The full list of preparatory readings will be provided at the beginning of the second semester.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Evaluation is based on 3 elements
1. Active participaton in class and in take-home excercises (5 points)
Students are expected to prepare mandatory readings before each class and use these readings to participate in debates following each conference.
Students may be requested to answer in writing to questions about the scientific readings before each class


2. One final research paper (10 points)
Students are expected to write a research paper tha comprises between 6000 and 5.000 words (excluding frontpage, references, footnotes, bibliography, annex...) on a topic of their choice connected to three broad themes of the course for the course during academic year 2015-2016. Paper can be written in French or English
This research paper will comprise a conceptual and theoretical discussion based on an exhaustive review of the literature. The paper also includes an original input of the student in form of empirical material collected by him/her or an original anylisis of exisiting material (reports, press, archives...)
The full version of the paper is to be submitted via e-mail and in paper (mailbox of Mrs Pulgar) before 11 AM on 9th May 2016.
Students are strongly encouraged to submit draft versions of their papers for feedback well in advance.
3. Oral defense (5 points)
Students present their research paper to the professors during on the last class on May 12th. They have 10 minutes to sum up their method, the main lessons of their paper and possible avenues for future research in the field. Students are advised to use a powerpoint presentation. The presentation is followed by a series of questions and answers on the paper and the presentation in which other students are expected to actively participate
Work placement(s) :
Not applicable
Organizational remarks :
  • Conferences may be held in French in which case translation will be provided to students. Participation to the debate can be done either in French or English.
  • Conferences can also be held in the University's downtown campus
  • Conferences are held during class hours (4 to 6PM on thursdays)
  • The full list of conferences (minimum 6) will be pusblished in January 2016.
Contacts :
Dr. François Gemenne (f.gemenne@ulg.ac.be)
Dr. Jean-Michel Lafleur (JM.Lafleur@ulg.ac.be)