Luin Goldring
- Associate Professor

York University
Department of Sociology / CERLAC
8th Floor York Research Tower
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Tel: (416) 736-2100 ext. 60311
Fax: (416) 736-5737
Email: goldring@yorku.ca

SOCI 4360
Globalization & International Migration

Description

Cross-border migration is a significant and pervasive process in the contemporary global social and political landscape. In the context of contemporary global restructuring, people continue to migrate, more and less voluntarily, and with and without authorization. This generally happens in spite of efforts to manage and coordinate migration policies, and with heightened border security. The recent economic crisis has, however, altered patterns in some settings. The experiences of newcomers, as they make a place for themselves and their families, vary. In many cases, homeland ties persist alongside uneven trajectories of incorporation. Changes in who is considered to be in and of the nation give way to shifts, tensions and negotiations over ideas and policies concerning national membership and citizenship. State policies and individual and family projects may coincide or collide, and often have unanticipated outcomes. Migration and the social transformations associated with it thus raise a host of important questions that touch on policy, practice, theory, research, and ethics.

This course provides an overview of international migration in the context of globalization that covers a range of theoretical approaches to migration, immigration, and transnational engagement, as well as methodological issues, empirical studies, and questions relevant to policy and advocacy practice. Course readings and discussions will address key concepts and institutions such as globalization, citizenship, migrant legality and illegality, agency, gender, racialization, class, and social exclusion. The first term focuses on an overview of global migraiton patterns and migration regimes. The second term includes the following topics: temporary migrant worker programs; gender and migration; precarious status and migrant "illegalization," current debates (including regularization); migration and global economic restructuring; migrant rights organizing; migration, remittances and development; and immigrant politics. The central learning objectives of the course include students becoming familiar with the complexity of international migration and immigration, understanding key theoretical approaches in the field, being able to engage critically in analyses of migration and immigration policy and selected areas of practice, and acquiring the analytical skills necessary to pursue further research, policy analysis or practice related work in the field.