Migration and the Multicultural Society

6 ECTS credits
165 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 4014777FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

Dutch

Partnership Agreement

Under agreement for exchange of courses

Faculty

Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool

Department

Sociology

Educational team

Pieter-Paul Verhaeghe (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

33 contact hours Lecture
6 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
152 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

The course provides theoretical and empirical insight on the arrival and integration of migrants in European societies. We start with an concise overview of the history of immigration to Europe. Afterwards, we apply a few important theories of migration on this history. Consequently, we examine the integration of ethnic minorities with respect to different domains: socioeconomic position, marriage patterns, religious practices, residential segregation, discrimination, interethnic contacts, social cohesion and integration policies. Each time, these different indicators are considered from both classic and more recent (post-colonial) theories on integration. Starting from theories on international migration the emphasis will be on theory guided research on background characteristics of international migration. The interaction between immigrant populations in the host society will be central in the second part of the course where integration focused research will be discussed. In the last part the position of migrants in differential social domains will be highlighted. The course will pay attention to the specific situation in Belgium but overall takes an international comparative perspective.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : Slides + teksten, Canvas

Additional info

Every week a lecture is scheduled which will be divided into a classical lecture and a more interactive part in which a seminar approach is taken. After Easter holiday, we additionally organize more applied 'class discussions' (6 hours WPO). Participation in the class discussions is mandatory for regular students.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

The main aims of the course are:

Insight in migration trends and useful concepts used in the literature on sociology of migration and integration
Knowledge of the main theories and empirical findings on migration and the integration of immigrants in an international perspective
Being able to value the empirical studies on immigration and integration and link them to public debates on these issues.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Written Exam with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Not applicable.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context