300209 Anthropological Approaches on Irregular Migration (S) (WiSe 2018/2019)

The seminar will discuss theoretical and empirical approaches to irregular migration from anthropological perspective. We will address how irregular migration is experienced by the various social actors participating in this very particular form to be ‘on the move’. Our aim in this class is, therefore, to deepen the understanding of irregular migration ‘from below’ and its social, political and ethical consequences in the quotidian social spheres. In spite of increased attention on irregularized migrants, there is still a lack of discussions about the implications of such migratory processes in migrants’ life trajectories and their encounters with other actors participating in this mobility phenomenon. In this seminar, we will look into the interior of everyday life challenges of irregular migration actors: flow of emotions, negotiations, contestations, ‘tactics of survival’, ethics and contingency.

In order to discuss these debates, this seminar is divided into four parts. In the first block, recent anthropological as well as sociological perspectives about the concept of irregular migration and its categories will be introduced. In the second block, the diverse ‘phases’ of irregular migration journeys will be discussed. The third block is dedicated to themes emerging from ‘the view from the ground’ such as emotions, negotiations, uncertainty, and violence. The fourth block centres on ethics of researching irregular migration, for example challenges of humanitarianism, volunteering and activism.

Requirements for participation, required level

Since the seminar is an advance class, it is open primarily for MA Students.