Diaspora Politics | PAIR6033 | University of Southampton

Module overview

A sample of topics addressed in this module includes: a) theoretical approaches to the subject matter; b) the redefinition of the notions of sovereignty, borders, citizenship, and national identity; c) the role and mobilization of diasporas as transnational political actors; d) sending and receiving states’ strategies to engage with people on the move; e) the emergence of public-private political partnerships across borders; f) the links and tensions between foreign policy and diaspora politics, and g) the record and prospects of international cooperation in this policy area.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

- analyse and apply the main theories and concepts concerning diaspora politics and policies - critically evaluate related debates - engage with ongoing discussions about political aspects of transnational human mobility - build on case studies across regions to assess policy alternatives

Syllabus

The syllabus presents the goals, organisation, assessment methods, schedule and reading list of the module, together with marking criteria, a summary of important dates, links to resources and the university policies.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

This module is taught through a weekly two-hour seminar involving group discussion based on required readings and questions circulated in advance, as well as lectures and student-led presentations. Student engagement, research skills, and participation in discussions and presentations are crucial to do well in the class

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	176
Teaching	24
Total study time	200

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

indicative list of required readings. • Cohen, Robin. 2008. Global Diasporas. An Introduction. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Second Edition. • Martin, Susan. 2015. “International Migration and Global Governance.” Global Summitry. Advanced access published 28 May. DOI: 10.1093/global/guv001. • Vertovec, Steven. 2009. Transnationalism. London and New York: Routledge. • Betts, Alexander. ed. 2011. Global Migration Governance. Oxford: Oxford University Press. • Castles, Stephen. 2004. “Why migration policies fail?” Ethnic and Racial Studies. 27 (2): 205-227. • Messina, Anthony M. and Gallya Lahav (eds.) 2006. The Migration Reader. Exploring Politics and Policies. Boulder and London: Lynne Rienner Publishers. • Kapur, Devesh. 2010. Diaspora, Development, and Democracy. The Domestic Impact of International Migration from India. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press. Ch. 1. • Shain, Yossi and Aharon Barth. 2003. “Diasporas and International Relations Theory.” International Organization. 57: 449-479. • Pécoud, Antoine. 2015. Depoliticising Migration. Global Governance and International Migration Narratives. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Group project	20%
Group project	20%
Attendance	10%
Discussion	10%
Group project	40%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	100%