GLCb2027_fall_2023
Sociology of forced migration
Thursdays from 16:00 to 17:40, Room P22
Olga Zhmurko, Office 3.59
248067@mail.muni.cz
Consultation Hours: By appointment
Course Description:
Forced migration as a separate discipline has emerged relatively recently within the social sciences,
and sociology in particular. The movement of people both within and outside countries is studied
within migration studies, primarily through the prism of demographic, social and economic factors,
but the most outstanding and independent factor is “force” (Harrell-Bond, 1988.). This course offers
students a focused look at the trend of forced migration - whether due to military conflicts, climate
change or other push factors that cause displacement - from the perspective of sociological theory
and research. What social transformations does this type of migration cause? What are its distinct
risks in terms of analyzing groups of forced migrants? What are the prospects for further research
on forced migration in the social sciences, and sociology in particular, and how can sociological
knowledge be applied in the field? In this course, we explore and discuss possible answers to these
pressing questions concerning the different social dimensions of forced migration.
Course objectives:
By the end of the semester, students will gain experience and knowledge on:
- the development of the forced migration theories in sociology and migration studies;
- typologies of forced migrants and social factors that influence the experience of this social group;
- ways of adaptation, integration, physical and symbolic boundaries between groups of migrants
and host societies;
- research paradigms and approaches concerning forced migration and migrants.
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
- To theorize forced migration as a social phenomenon using a sociological perspective;
- Discuss contemporary trends of forced migration and the factor of “force” as an independent
variable
- Give and receive constructive criticism
- Evaluate and revise first drafts
- Demonstrate knowledge of and practice proper citation
Teaching methods:
The teaching methods used in this course involve weekly lecture meetings, reading of literature,
homework exercises and formal writing assignment.
Course content
• Introduction to the course and brief overview
• Theoretical development of knowledge on forced migration in migration studies and
sociology;
• Sociological perspectives on forced migration;
• Approaches to the study of forced migration;
• The pro-migrant paradigm of sociological study on forced migration.
Activities, requirements, expectations and grading:
1) READING, RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND REFLECTION DISCUSSIONS (FROM WEEKLY
LITERATURE OR WEEKLY PRACTICE TASKS):
All of the classes are complemented by a list of literature (obligatory and sometimes
supplementary). students can also receive recommendations to attend a cultural or social event
or watch a movie related to the topic of the lecture. On a weekly basis, students are expected to
complete one of the following tasks (there is a different task for each week in the interactive
syllabus). The weekly task is graded for 4 points each.
1) an audio or video record of a brief discussion among students (in a group of up to 3
people) on the material read and studied prior the lecture. No longer than 20 minutes. The
audio/video file should contain the names of the students who participated in the discussion in
the title.
2) prepare a 200-word discussion paper based on the readings. The document should
contain your critical view of the readings and not duplicate (retell) the content of the readings.
The document should be of a discussion nature. For example, what do you agree with, what
questions did the literature or topic prompt you to ask, how can the issue raised by the author
be considered today, does the content of the reading correlate with what we (you) observe in
our social reality? The completed tasks should be uploaded to the Homework Vault not later
than 9.00 AM the day before the class. This semester – every Wednesday.
2) CLASS DISCUSSION FACILITATION AND PARTICIPATION: On a weekly basis, at least 2
students will be assigned as discussion facilitators according to the readings. Discussion
facilitation is a mandatory assignment during the semester and is worth 10 points.
Participation in each discussion - active discussion is encouraged with an additional 2
points for each participant. In order to record these points, each student who participated in
the discussion during the class must come to the teacher after the end of the class and
record their participation so that the teacher can mark it during the evaluation.
3) PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT – Prepare a group presentation on the topic.
4) FINAL EXAM: Online. Based on the practical assignment you should write an analytical
essay. At the end of the semester, students will receive a written and oral assignment, the
completion of which will prove that they have passed the course – 30 points. Exam will
include writing the answers to 3 open questions on the topic of the course. The detailed
instruction will be provided during the course.
Grading:
The final grade consists of:
1) Weekly reading, home tasks and fieldworks (up to 50%)
2) Group assignment – discussion facilitation (10%)
3) Practical assignments during the course (10%)
4) final exam (30%) based on compulsory readings and practical assignment.
Week
#
Dates Topic of the lecture Reading materials
1 26/09 Introduction to the course and brief
overview of the content.
Syllabus
Watch the movie (if have an access)
The Swimmers 2022 (Netflix)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8745676/
2 03/10 The history of Refugee and Forced
Migration Studies. What is the place of
sociology?
Obligatory reading:
Barbara E. Harrell-Bond. The Sociology on Involuntary
migration. An introduction. Current Sociology, Volume
36 (2): 6. June 1, 1988.
Finn Stepputat, Nynna Nyberg Sorensen. Sociology and
Forced Migration. The Oxford Handbook of Migration
and Refugee Studies. 13 pages.
3 10/10 Mapping the field. What is
(in)voluntary migration? Why do we
define the matter of “force” in
sociological inquiry?
Obligatory reading:
Stephen Castles. Towards a Sociology of Forced
Migration and Social Transformation. Article in
“Sociology” 2003 (2).
4 17/10 Causes of forced migration. Discuss
the social dimensions of the variable
“force”.
Obligatory reading:
Sarah Lischer. Causes and Consequences of forced
Displacement. Article in “Civil Wars” 9 (2) 2007. 14
pages.
Stephen Castles. The Age of Migration. International
Population Movements in the Modern World. Theories
of Migration, pp. 25 – 31.
5 24/10 Forced migrants, host societies and
agencies. States and forced migrants.
Obligatory reading:
Michael Barnett. Humanitarianism with a Sovereign
Face: UNHCR in the Global Undertow. The
International Migration Review, Spring, 2001, Vol. 35,
No. 1, Special Issue: UNHCR at 50: Past, Present and
Future of Refugee Assistance (Spring, 2001), pp. 244-
277
Stephen Castles. The Age of Migration. International
Population Movements in the Modern World. pp. 221 –
238
6 31/10 Reading week
7 7/11 Spatial movement and forced
displacement scenarios
Obligatory reading:
Van Hear, N. (2014) ‘Refugees, Diasporas, and
Transnationalism’, in Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, E., Loescher,
G., Long, K. and Sigona, N. (eds.), The Oxford
Handbook of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies,
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 176-187
8 14/11 How does (forced) migration
transform societies? Focusing on a
pro-migrant paradigm.
Stephen Castles. The Age of Migration. International
Population Movements in the Modern World. pp. 55 –
81.
Irina Kuznetsova, Oksana Mikheeva. Forced
Displacement from Ukraine’s War-Torn Territories:
Intersectionality and Power Geometry. Nationalities
Papers (2020), 48: 4, 690–706
9 21/11 Studying life experiences: Bringing the
voices of migrants into migration
studies.
Sigona, N. (2014) 'The politics of refugee voices:
Representations, narratives and memories'. In The
Oxford Handbook of Refugee and Forced Migration
Studies, edited by Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, Gil
Loescher, Kathy Long and Nando Sigona. Oxford:
Oxford University Press: 369-382
10 28/11 Representations of Forced Migration Terence Wright. The Media Representation of Refugees
and Other Forced Migrants. Visual Studies, Vol. 17,
No. 1, 2002. 15 pages.
11 5/12 The human dimension in forced
migration studies.
Elizabeth Colson. Forced Migration and the
Anthropological Response. Journal of Refugee Studies
Vol. 16, No. 1 2003. 19 pages).
12 12/12 Regional Studies (1) presentation
class
Choose the region you will make the presentation about
during the class from the list in The Oxford Handbook
of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, Oxford:
Oxford University Press (Chapter Regional Studies pp.
416 - 522). Instructions on the presentation will be
provided prior to the class.
13 19/12 Regional Studies (2) presentation
class
Choose the region you will make the presentation about
during the class from the list in The Oxford Handbook
of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, Oxford:
Oxford University Press (Chapter Regional Studies pp.
416 - 522). Instructions on the presentation will be
provided prior to the class.
Final exam: See the scheduled date to be posted in the IS