Research seminar focus is on critical theories and practices in transnational comparative frameworks.

With prevailing conflicts, increased globalization, poor governance, and other dislocating conditions in the world system, millions of people are on the move, displaced by war, failing economies, environmental destruction, and the desire for betterment. Exit from the homeland, anticipated or unanticipated, however does not necessarily ensure successful resettlement or re-integration. Many of the world’s forced migrants languish in temporary camps, are repeatedly displaced, or repatriated back to their homelands. Further challenging the assumed linearity of the migration process are migrant efforts and desire to maintain their presence in, and connections to multiple places. These transnational ties present both opportunities and challenges for the globally displaced. This course provides students with a foundational understanding of and critical engagement with key theories, concepts, issues, and debates in critical refugee, diaspora, and transnational studies. Framed by migration and post-resettlement experiences of migrant communities in different parts of the world, it interrogates fundamental questions salient to global migration such as the causes and effects of displacement, state policies and migrant responses, impetuses for transnational ties, and diasporic longing, remembering, and “return.” Our intellectual concerns are informed by, but are not limited to the following: a) Why do people move? b) Who can move? c) What compels “return,” be it actual or metaphysical? d) What is the role of the state in this post- and trans- national era? e) What are migrant responses to the conditions that they face? f) Are concepts such as “diaspora” and “transnational” useful in helping us better understand the embedded nuances of the migration experience?

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.