Migration Transnationalism and Development

Duration

30h SEM

Number of credits

Lecturer

Jean-Michel Lafleur

Substitute(s)

Shannon Dammery

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This seminar entitled: "Migration, Transnationalism and Development" seek to introduce students to the study of the articulation between international migratory movements and the processes of development. The course takes on a multi-disciplinary approach and aims to allow students to be familiar with the diversity in approaches to the subject. This course is taught in English.

The course comprises 2 types of sessions. The first is a series of lectures and discssions about the main international migration theories and the concepts of migration, development, remittances, social remittances, transnationalism and diaspora. The second is comprised of various thematic sessions, which will present various case studies that show the impact of migrants on their receiving and sending countries and migrants' homemaking and attachment to and use of public spaces. Through these thematic sessions different questions on the topics of migration and development will be dealt with including: the issue of remittances, the role of migrant's international solidarity organizations (hometown associations) in the sending societies and the state's reactions to migrant's transnational practices, the impact of migration on the health sector.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The objective of this course is to allow students to have a greater familiarity with the different approaches on the issue of migration and development. It will allow the students to develop a reflection on these issues that is both theoretically and empirically grounded. 
 
More precisely the seminar aims at:

• Training students to do critical reading of the scientific literature
• Improving students academic writing skills
• Developing critical and autonomous on the topic of migration and development and its linkages with the Global South

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The course is taught in English; therefore, a good knowledge of this language is required to understand the readings, audio-visual aids and sessions. The ability to read, understand and synthesise scientific articles is required.

 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

• At least two compulsory readings before each session (the list of readings and texts will be available online).
• Optional texts for the class but which can be used in the final essay.
• Optional but strongly encouraged participation in any academic conferences on migration organized during the semester. These conferences can be held outside the usual time and place of the course (visit the CEDEM website and Facebook page).
• Each student will have to make a presentation in class based on an assigned reading.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Students are expected to attend and participate actively in the course sessions (either online or in person). Students are also expected to prepare at least the two mandatory readings for each session.

• Subject to modification due to the COVID-19 sanitary crisis.

Recommended or required readings

Before each class, students must read at least two scientific articles on the subject that the course will cover. This reading is essential to participate actively in class. The texts and slides of the sessions will be available only on the blackboard platform. Readings will not be sent via email.

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Additional information:

 


The evaluation is done according to two main elements:


1.  Active Participation in the classroom and online (5 points)

Active participation is a central element for the course. Students are expected to contribute to the discussions in class with relevant arguments and examples from the mandatory and optional readings.



2. An in-person essay/final exam (15 points)

The final assessment is an essay answering one question from a provided list. Students may use their notes and they will have to use the concepts, theories and texts studied in class. Finally, it is expected that students cite articles and academic readings from class to write the essay and fully answer the question. Must be written in English. 

Work placement(s)

Internship connected to the class are available. A full list is posted on the student information boards of the Social Science Institute (B31, floor 1). You may also consult your professor on this matter.

Organizational remarks

The course starts on the 22/09/20. It is necessary to prepare readings for the first class.
ACCESS TO E-CAMPUS BLACKBOARD (BB) IS ESSENTIAL TO FOLLOW THIS COURSE (READINGS...). ONLY ENROLLED STUDENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ULG AND WILL THUS HAVE ACCESS TO BB. THE PROFESSOR CAN NOT GIVE THEM ACCESS TO BB.

• Subject to modification due to the COVID-19 sanitary crisis.

Contacts

Instructor:

Jean-Michel LAFLEUR
F.R.S-FNRS Research Associate
Universite de Liege
Institut des Sciences humaines et sociales
Centre d'Etudes de l'Ethnicité et des Migrations (CEDEM)

Office R.40 (building B31)

Office hours: by appointment only (via e-mail)
Tel. 04 366 46 80

http://www.cedem.ulg.ac.be 

 

Teaching Assistant:

Shannon DAMERY
Researcher at CEDEM

Office hours: by appointment only (via e-mail)

shannon.damery@uliege.be

Items online