The course aims to provide students with basic conceptual and methodological tools for the analysis of different phenomena linked to the way in which mobility and migrations manifest themselves today. Thus, starting with a general analysis of mobility and migrations in anthropological theory, the aim is to examine specific aspects such as travel, tourism and its consequences or contemporary migratory processes and their peculiarities. Next, some elements will be analysed which act precisely in an attempt to slow down, discourage or restrict mobility and which would be another expression of contemporary hegemonic ideologies. Finally, an attempt will be made to delve into the more subjective dimension of the experience of mobility and migration, delving into the experiences of those who are involved in them and their consequences.

OBJECTIVES:

General objectives:

1. To introduce students to the anthropological study of mobility and migrations.

2.To become familiar with themes, concepts and the main authors and their work.

3.To analyse aspects of the socio-cultural reality in relation to the movement of human beings.

Specific objectives:

1. To understand the necessary contextualisation of socio-cultural phenomena as global phenomena and to situate migratory processes as part of the same.

2.To distinguish between mobility and migration from a critical perspective.

3. To analyse the contributions of anthropology to the phenomenon of human movement through specific ethnographic studies.

COMPETENCIES

M6C1. Analyse and comment - orally and/or in writing - texts elaborated from the basic fields of Social Anthropology in a clear, orderly and rigorous manner, using the relevant anthropological terminology.

M6C2. Distinguish, define and explain the basic concepts and thematic fields of Social Anthropology.

M6C3. Recognise, analyse and account for cultural diversity and human institutions in different spatial and temporal contexts.

M6C8. Examine and account for cultural constructions relating to sex, gender and sexuality, and anthropological interpretations and explanations in this respect.

M6C9. Examine and account for the challenges of contemporary societies, and the anthropological interpretations and explanations of them.

The programme consists of 4 thematic blocks organised according to the following outline:

I. MOVEMENT: PEOPLES ON THE MOVE

Introduction. Mobility and migrations: definition and contextualisation. Understanding mobility yesterday and today: notions of space and time in the past and present. Nomadic peoples, groups on the move.

II. MIGRATION: PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.

Migration patterns. Elements of change, elements of permanence. Migratory experiences and networks. Questioning mobility: borders, walls and boats.

III. MOBILITY: TOURISTS AND STUDENTS WHO TRAVEL, "EXPATS" WHO STAY BEHIND

Travel, tourism: meaning and practices in today's societies. Implications for local societies.

IV. LIVES ON THE MOVE

Nomadic bodies: subjective readings of mobility. The gender perspective. Safety on the journey. The experience of arrival. When I no longer move

The methodology combines lectures with practical exercises.

A selection of compulsory and in-depth readings, available on the egela, will be followed, and their presentation and dynamisation in class will be distributed.

Students will work both in groups and individually and will also present their work in class.

In addition to the oral presentation of the bibliographical and ethnographic exercises, students will prepare and hand in written assignments, paying attention to the proper citation of sources.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 10
  • Individual works (%): 50
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 30
  • Exhibition of works, readings ... (%): 10

For people who do not attend class (Work and exam):

a. Annotated bibliography (above)

b. A written exam of four questions, to choose three. The questions may be on any subject included in the syllabus.

As above.

Egela.
Specified readings.

Basic bibliography

Castles, Stephen, Hein de Haas, Mark J. Miller. Eds. (2014) The age of migration (5th edition). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Lucassen, Leo. 2005. The immigrant threat: the integration of old and new migrants in Western Europe since 1850. Chicago: University of Illinois Press.

Ong, Aihwa. 1999. Flexible citizenship: The cultural logics of transnationality. Durham: Duke University Press.

Parreñas, Rhacel Salazar. 2015. Servants of globalization: Migration and domestic work (2nd edition). Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Torpey, John. 2000. The invention of the passport: surveillance, citizenship and the state. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Xiang, Biao. 2006. Global body shopping: An Indian labour system in the information technology industry. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

In-depth bibliography

Selected articles from journals such as Migration Studies, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, International Migration Review, Mobilities. See the course syllabus for details.