300096 Migration and Inequalities (PjS) (SoSe 2016)

This is a seminar fusing both discussion of research and practical exercises engaging in empirical research. A major point of departure will be the current “refugee crisis”.
Cross-border migration is a visible reflection of global inequalities. An abundance of literature deals with the link between migration and inequalities mostly indirectly, often through topics such as migration and development, or the integration of migrants. Yet surprisingly little research directly addresses the role of social inequalities. This main research gap raises at least two major sets of questions. First, how do social inequalities affect opportunities for cross-border migration for different socio-economic groups? Second, conversely, how do the outcomes of migration affect social inequalities in global patterns of distribution and in life chances in the countries of emigration and the countries of immigration? Of ultimate interest is whether migration buttresses the dominant forms of social stratification, or whether it transforms the distribution of valued goods in a fundamental way.
The students will select a topic in this research area and will work in small groups or individually on a small empirical project.

Bibliography

Faist, Thomas. 2016. Cross-Border Migration and Social Inequalities. Annual Review of Sociology, Vol. 42.