Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0168 - Migration Through Film

The dramatic increase in transnational migrations has prompted new debates over globalization, diversity, and human rights. In these debates, the fate of migrants is defined by competing visions of them as pawns or pioneers, as passive victims or driven agents. This course explores the key role played by film in such representations, comparing and contrasting film to ethnography as a way to relate migrant experiences and understand migration. We look at how documentaries, feature films in local and world cinema, and ethnographies represent decisions to go abroad and the effects of migration on home and host communities. We ask what can be gleaned from these sources about what it is like to be an undocumented migrant, or a member of a "second generation;" what we can learn about the conditions of trafficked women or refugees. We also explore how geography, citizenship, class, gender, age, ethnicity, race and religion feature in these representations. Students will critically analyze how migrants are represented in film through active class discussions and several written essays.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research In this course, 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.