SO489 Half Unit
Family and International Migration
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Ursula Henz
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Sociology. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access). Places are allocated based on a written statement, with priority given to students who have this course listed in their programme regulations.
How to apply: For information on how to apply for a place on this course, including deadlines, please see Courses offered and related information.
Course content
The course examines the family life and family relationships of families with experience of international migration in Great Britain and other societies. It applies three perspectives to migrant families: diversity, integration and transnationality. It examines variations in family life and relationships in migrant families; particular challenges that are associated with the migration of a family to a new country as well as transformations of family roles and intimacy in transnational families. After introducing the main concepts in the first half of the course, we explore selected substantive topics. Indicative topics are: migrant children and children staying behind; marriage migration, transnational marriages, and intermarriage; the roles of mother and father in immigrant and transnational families; ageing migrant families.
Teaching
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
This course is usually delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. There will be two hours or more of teaching each week in AT.
Formative assessment
Essay
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the AT.
Indicative reading
Kraler, Kofman, Kohli & Schmoll (eds.) (2011) Gender, Generations and the Family in International Migration;
Baldassar & Baldock (2007) Families Caring Across Borders: Migration, Ageing and Transnational Caregiving;
Beck & Beck-Gernsheim (2014): Distant Love;
Ehrenreich & Hochschild (2004): Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, and Sex Workers in the New Economy;
Dreby (2010): Divided by Borders. Mexican Migrants and Their Children;
Foner (2009) Across Generations: Immigrant Families in America;
Madianou & Miller (2011): Migration and New Media: Transnational Families and Polymedia;
Parreñas (2005): Children of Global Migration;
Portes & Rumbaut (2001) Legacies: The Story of the Immigrant Second Generation.
Assessment
Exam (90%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period
Presentation (10%)
The presentation will be completed in the AT.
Attendance at all seminars and submission of all set coursework is required.
Key facts
Department: Sociology
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: Unavailable
Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills