SOCIOL 309 : Migration, Borders and Displacement

Arts

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines the relationship between national borders and international migration alongside an exploration of critical theories of the drivers, management and experience of displacement. Particular attention is paid to representations of migration, political and policy responses to migration, and patterns of involuntary, labour, lifestyle and educational migration.

Course Overview

International migration, the movement of people across national borders, is a highly politicised issue that addresses core concerns in sociology and other social sciences. This course provides an advanced introduction to the interdisciplinary social science field of “migration studies.” The topics covered place a particular emphasis on introducing critical perspectives to the relationship between migration, national borders and patterns and experiences of displacement. 

The course provides a grounding in the emergence, patterns and experiences of contemporary forms of migration, the key concepts in the field of migration studies, and the politics of governing migration. We will explore the relationship between migration, imperialism and colonialism, including attention to slavery and indentured labour, European colonisation and settlement and the formation of settler societies and the implications of migration for Indigenous peoples. Building on these insights we address the emergence of nations, nationalism and the formation of national borders and their implications for historical and contemporary forms of migration governance. Turning to the experience of migration, we will explore the role of economics and emotions in migration, the commercialisation of migration and the relationship between migrant labour, skills, unfreedom and exploitation.

In addition to addressing each of these topics in broad terms, we also explore particular case studies from Aotearoa, the Pacific and Asia that provide scope to observe how migration is experienced and governed, and its implications for society. In assessments, students will have the opportunity to apply the themes developed in this course to examine their own migration case study.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Global Politics and Human Rights or Sociology Restriction: SOCIOL 306

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe and explain the historical origins of contemporary migration and their implications for the patterns and experiences of different forms of mobility. (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 6)
  2. Explain and critique key concepts in the field of migration studies. (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 6)
  3. Use and apply concepts and techniques from critical migration studies to examine specific patterns, experiences and governance of migration. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of key quantitative and qualitative data sources available to research different patterns, experiences and governance of migration. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Commentary/blog 20% Individual Coursework
In-class quizzes 20% Individual Test
Essay 20% Individual Coursework
Essay 40% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 3-4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3-4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for in class tests.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2024.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

This course is being run for the first time. Student feedback received during and following this course will be used to improve the learning experience.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2023 10:30 a.m.