Course Catalogue

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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.

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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.

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4,000 word essay (100%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

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.

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.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.