The Politics of Immigration

Catalog description

Examines immigration and citizenship in the United States, with a focus on changes in policy, politics and incorporation trends. While a primary focus is on contemporary politics and policies, also spends much time on immigration and citizenship's legal history and on how scholars use history to reveal new, important insights for our understanding of debates today. Starts with a discussion of migration to the U.S. today and considers theories about international migration. Then moves to the history of immigration and citizenship policies and politics in the U.S. and continues up to present day political and national debates and initiatives. Contains a particular focus on the history, politics and debates around 'undocumented'/'illegal'/unauthorized populations, on related citizenship and membership politics. With the continuing national debates, also spends additional time throughout the semester analyzing current reform politics and prospects, along with the different interests and constituencies battling for reform. Readings and assignments feature some of the different disciplinary approaches used in the study of immigration, drawing primarily from political science, history, sociology and anthropology. Aims to gain a better understanding of the different approaches and implications for using different types of methodologies.