300276 Migration and Networks (S) (SoSe 2017)

It has long been acknowledged that networks have substantial roles in migration processes. They not only perpetuate further migration through minimizing risks and costs of migration at the first place, but also are important sources of support for migrants during initial arrival and settlement phases. However, research also demonstrates that not all networks necessarily have positive effects, but rather there might be over controlling or imposing values on their members while exploiting them. In this course our main aim is to understand the overarching role of networks in migration process from the beginning, duration, settlement where different ties serve different purposes. Network aspects of time, space, and resources will be given special consideration in this course. We will read state of the art theoretical and empirical contributions in the field with a critical sociological eye.