AANK13505U Advanced Course in the Anthropology of Migration: Mobility as Social, Economic and Cultural Resource

Volume 2014/2015
Content

This course is intended for MA students. Please note that there are special admission criteria for students not enrolled at the MA level in anthropology. Those who have not taken the introductory migration course (Migration I) will be expected to acquaint themselves with the literature for that course.

The advanced course will look at some of the new forms of migration that we are seeing today, how they differ from previous patterns of migration, and some of the major theoretical and methodological approaches that have emerged in studies of this migration. We will explore experiences of physical mobility (or immobility) and the social and personal aspirations as well as structural challenges that frame current global movements of people. Through case studies of selected themes such as social imaginaries, routes, bodyshopping and virtual migration, the global care chain, diversity and racism we will discuss different kinds of mobility and migration, the social and cultural contexts in which they take place, and the possibilities and challenges that they pose to the migrants, their families, and to the sending and receiving states.

In the discussions of methodological and analytical approaches we will draw on students’ planned or completed fieldwork on migration related topics as well as examples from the instructor’s research among migrants in Denmark and the Caribbean.

 

Learning Outcome

By the end of the course the students should be able to:

• Identify current forms of migration and critically examine why and how people engage in migration and the potentials, motivations and challenges of various migration strategies.

• Examine how migration shapes and is shaped by economic, social, cultural and religious practices in different parts of the world.

• Identify major theoretical and methodological approaches to migration in anthropology and related fields, and the ways in which they shape our understanding of migration

• Write a well-structured essay discussing the literature from the course in relation to a chosen field/case.

500 pages obligatory literature + 200 pages of literature chosen by students.
 

Course literature will be available in Absalon on the course website.

This course is a specialized course for MSc-students enrolled at the Dept. of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen. Erasmus/exchange- , credit- an Open University students who have a bachelor degree which consists of a minimum of one and a half years (90 ECTS) of anthropological subjects, including introduction to history of anthropological theory and methodology in Anthropology may also apply. Documentation is required.
The course will include guest lectures by migration researchers at the department.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 35
  • Exercises
  • 12
  • Lectures
  • 7
  • Preparation
  • 120
  • Seminar
  • 21
  • Study Groups
  • 15
  • Total
  • 210
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Obligatory portfolio assignments: The course lecturer determines the number and length of portfolio assignments. A minimum of 75% thereof will be assessed as the exam. At the end of the course, the lecturer will announce upon which portfolio assignments the assessment will be based.
Exam registration requirements
In order to be eligible to take the exam, the student must participate actively in the course. The parameters for active participation are set by the course teacher, and might for instance include giving a presentation during the course or submitting obligatory papers.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
There is appointed a second internal assessor to assist with the assessment when the first assessor finds this necessary.
Re-exam
1. & 2. Re-exam
For written exams:
A new essay/portfolio with a revised problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
For oral exams:
A revised synopsis with a new problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The students must hereafter participate in a new oral exam at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
Criteria for exam assesment

See description of learning outcome. Formalities for Written Works must be fulfilled, read more: MSc Students

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Obligatory portfolio assignments: The course lecturer determines the number and length of portfolio assignments. A minimum of 75% thereof will be assessed as the exam. At the end of the course, the lecturer will announce upon which portfolio assignments the assessment will be based.
Exam registration requirements
In order to be eligible to take the exam, the student must participate actively in the course. The parameters for active participation are set by the course teacher, and might for instance include giving a presentation during the course or submitting obligatory papers.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
There is appointed a second internal assessor to assist with the assessment when the first assessor finds this necessary.
Re-exam
1. & 2. Re-exam
For written exams:
A new essay/portfolio with a revised problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
For oral exams:
A revised synopsis with a new problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The students must hereafter participate in a new oral exam at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
Criteria for exam assesment

See description of learning outcome. Formalities for Written Works must be fulfilled, read more: MSc Students/ BA students (in Danish)/ exchange, credit and Open University students