GY467      Half Unit
Global Migration and Development

This information is for the 2013/14 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Claire Mercer S418

Availability

This course is available on the MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in Anthropology and Development, MSc in Anthropology and Development (Management), MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Empires, Colonialism and Globalisation, MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies, MSc in Social Policy and Development, MSc in Social Policy and Development: Non-Governmental Organisations, MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

The aim of this course is to examine the relationship between migration, diaspora and development with a particular focus on migrants’ and diasporas’ contributions to development in the Global South. The course encourages students to develop a critical understanding of the role of different diasporas in political, social and economic development. This is achieved through (i) a critical consideration of theoretical debates in geography, sociology, anthropology and development studies on diaspora, migration and development, (ii) an engagement with contemporary migration and development policies, (iii) an examination of diasporas' developmental work including economic and social remittances, and political activities. The final part of the course examines these debates in the context of the African diaspora.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT. 1 hour of lectures in the ST.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the LT.

Indicative reading

Braziel, J.E. (2008)
Diaspora: an introduction, Blackwell, Oxford; Castles, S. and R. D. Wise (eds)
(2008) Migration and development: perspectives from the South,
International Organization for Migration, Geneva; Cohen, R. (2008) Global
diasporas: an introduction, second edition, Routledge, London; Knott, C. and
S. McLoughlin (eds) Diaspora: concepts, intersections, identities (2010);
Mercer, C., B. Page and M. Evans (2009) Development and the African Diaspora:
place and the politics of home, Zed, London; Smith, M.P. and L.E. Guarnizo (eds)
(1998) Transnationalism from below, Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick
NJ; Vertovec, S.(2009) Transnationalism, Routledge, London.

Assessment

Exam (75%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 2500 words) in the ST.

Student performance results

(2009/10 - 2011/12 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 26.6
Merit 54.7
Pass 18.8
Fail 0

Key facts

Department: Geography & Environment

Total students 2012/13: 11

Average class size 2012/13: 11

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills