GY467      Half Unit
Global Migration and Development

This information is for the 2015/16 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Claire Mercer STC.418

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in African Development, 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 Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), 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 15 hours of seminars in the LT.

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 (2010) (eds) Diaspora: concepts, intersections, identities;

Mercer, C., B. Page and M. Evans (2009) Development and the African Diaspora:

place and the politics of home, Zed, London; Lucas, R.E.B. (2014) (ed) International handbook on migration and economic development, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham; van Naersson, T., E. Spaan and A. Zoomers (eds) (2008) Global migration and development, Routledge, London

Assessment

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

Student performance results

(2011/12 - 2013/14 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 16.1
Merit 50
Pass 33.9
Fail 0

Key facts

Department: Geography & Environment

Total students 2014/15: Unavailable

Average class size 2014/15: Unavailable

Controlled access 2014/15: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

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