AMIS: International Migration

This course offers an examination of the patterns of international migration through a variety of theoretical lenses and disciplinary approaches. Moving beyond conventional state-centered narratives, we will examine migration from multiple perspectives—including the lived experiences of migrants, the historical legacies of colonialism, and the infrastructures that mediate movement. Rather than treating migration as a simple movement from point A to point B, we explore its complex nature as a dynamic social, political, and economic phenomenon that shapes both migrants and societies.

We examine theoretical frameworks for understanding migration, moving from classical migration theories to critical "bottom-up" perspectives that center migrants' experiences and agency. We explore how postcolonial legacies, transnational connections, and migrant infrastructures shape contemporary mobility. Further, we analyze how migration is governed, regulated, and securitized by various actors including states, international organizations, and non-state actors. We examine bordering processes, legal frameworks, and humanitarian interventions while questioning assumed categories and binary distinctions between forced and voluntary migration. Finally, we investigate emerging issues in migration studies, including climate-related displacement, migrant representations, digital technologies, and the intersection of privilege and mobility.

Throughout the course, we maintain a critical perspective on how migration is represented, researched, and understood. We encourage active engagement from students, who will be involved in setting and discussing a portion of the course literature in student-led presentations.

Exam code: HMGK03281E