Course Catalogue

Gender and Migration SOCIO4125

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course focuses on one of the most controversial issues currently debated in our societies: international migration. Gendered and feminist sociological analyses of migration have developed since the 1980s, posing a substantial challenge to dominant gender-blind theories in this field. This course will explore the important contribution made by feminist studies to the understanding of migration and its impact on contemporary societies. The course mainly relies on materials focusing on international migration in Europe, but covers also other geographical contexts both in the global North and global South.

The course starts with a critical survey of mainstream migration studies: it presents the key concepts and theories employed to expose the gendered dimensions of international migration and its history in Europe. Based on the study of theoretical as well as empirical studies focusing on different contexts across the world, the rest of the sessions cover substantive areas of sociological research in this field: globalisation, migrant labour, the international division of reproductive labour, religion, masculinities, forced migration and refugees, and anti-immigration mobilisations. Finally, the course will introduce the students to debates on the methodology and ethics of research on gender and migration.

Timetable

None

Requirements of Entry

In order to take this course, students need to have met the requirements for entry into the Sociology Honours Programme. This means achieving a grade of 'D' or better in Sociology 1A and 1B and a 'C' or better in Sociology 2A and 2B. Students also have to comply with the College of Social Science regulations for progression to Honours.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

4,000 word essay (100%)

Course Aims

The broad aims of the course follow from the Subject Area's objective of developing a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the discipline of sociology. In particular, this course aims to:

 

■ build on the work of the Level 1 and Level 2 Sociology classes on its key topics;

■ prepare the students for further study and research in the field of sociology, with particular reference to gender divisions, migration and ethnicity/racism;

■ introduce new material relating, for example, to historical and comparative data, relevant to such debates;

■ train the students to recognize and argue for the relevance of sociological knowledge to social policy and to non-academic contexts, and to engage with issues of gender inequalities in their professional and personal lives, whether entering upon an academic career or not.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Identify and evaluate key concepts relating to the sociological analysis of gender and migration and its development since the 1980s;

■ Explain how gender shape the process of migration, and how migration transforms gender relations, by drawing on theoretical and empirical research;

■ Demonstrate an awareness of methodological, ethical and political issues associated with sociological research in the field of gender and migration;

■ Discuss the social construction of femininities and masculinities, and their relation to social divisions of ethnicity;

■ Assess arguments about the gendered nature of current public and political debates on immigration, multiculturalism and globalisation.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions