MLMIMS-Introduction to Migration Studies

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Mr Federico Faloppa
Email: f.faloppa@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Students will be introduced to Migration Studies from an interdisciplinary perspective and through a wide range of topics such as historical, cultural and political contexts of countries of origins and destinations, post-colonial studies, migration trajectories to Europe, internal migrations in Europe, push and pull factors to human mobility, migration policies and human rights, social change and globalisation, climate change and mobility, representation of migrants in the news, etc. They will also be introduced to key migration related concepts, key-terms and key-literature, and to quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches to migration and human mobility. 

Aims:

This module will allow students new to the field of Migration Studies to situate and relate their specialism (education, development, social or health policy, environment studies, languages and linguistics, cultural representation) to the broader issues that characterise the global migration experience and our understanding of it. It will introduce students to key migration and mobility-related concepts and will enable them not only to better understand human mobility and the role of internal and international migration in economic and political processes, but also to gain an understanding of the cultural dilemmas and challenges facing host countries. It will also offer an overview of the major debates and literature on contemporary migration from different disciplinary perspectives in humanities and social sciences.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will achieve:

• a solid knowledge of key-terms and key-literature in the field of migration studies worldwide


• a detailed knowledge of current debates on migration in the UK, Europe, and worldwide


• a general knowledge of the socio-historical background of countries of origins, transit and destinations of migrants on the move to Europe and the UK


• an awareness of post-colonial approaches to European and UK history


• an analytical perspective on the role of literature in portraying migrant voices


• an analytical perspective on the representation of migrants and migration in the media


• an introduction to qualitative and quantitative approaches to migration studies, including ethnographic, anthropological and sociolinguistic methods and research

Additional outcomes:

Students will be able to provide a clear contextualisation and definition of migrations phenomena, and to identify current and future challenges in relation with human mobility, globalisation and climate change. Students will also develop their research skills by identifying research questions, collecting and analysing original data, setting up interdisciplinary research.

Outline content:

The module will include history of migration in Europe and the UK, history and social context of some countries of origins, migration trajectories and their dynamics worldwide, push and pull factors to human mobility, human rights and migration policy, literary and media representation of migration, migrant voices in literature and society in the UK, Europe and worldwide.  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	16	6
Seminars	4	4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	85	85
Wider reading (directed)	40	40
Preparation for presentations	20
Carry-out research project		50
Essay preparation	50
Total hours by term	215	185	0
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	40
Portfolio	50
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

No final examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Summative assessment methods include one 3000-word essay (worth 40%, to be submitted at the beginning of the Spring Term), a portfolio of independent research activities (collecting data and materials in relation with the topic of the seminars) or alternatively an independent creative project (e.g. podcast, exhibition, videoclip, radio show, communication campaign) worth 50%, to be submitted by the beginning of the Summer Term, and an oral (or poster) presentation by the end of Autumn Term.

Formative assessment methods:

Formative assessment includes group exercises to be discussed in class. Students will also receive on-going feedback from the instructor and from other students in the form of comments on their presentations and group-works.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of failed elements. Students are required to contact the School to confirm reassessment arrangements.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022