Critical Social Inquiry 0213 - Migration/Mobility/MidEast

Typically, the Middle East is viewed as a source of migration flows - a place people flee, seeking work and/or refuge in Europe and the West. But migrations to the Middle East and mobility within it increasingly characterizes this dynamic region. In this course, we will look at documented and undocumented, forced and voluntary migrations (labor migration, refugees, trafficking) in a number of contexts (Syrian, Turkish, Iraqi, United Arab Emirates, Palestinian). We will critically analyze the various types of powers and processes that structure these contemporary flows and we'll seek to better understand the perspectives of migrants and their "hosts." Throughout, we will pay careful attention to how the intersections of citizenship, class, race, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexuality affect the experience of migration. Students will examine these dynamics through close readings of social research (including several ethnographies), active class discussions, short writing assignments, and an independent research paper on a topic of their choice.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, viewing, research and writing.