Migration and Sustainable Development Goals [2629]

General Information

• Credits: 3 ECTS
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's or Licence level (or equivalent); proficiency in English
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: English
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

This course examines the relationship between migration and sustainable development, focusing on the continuing debate over whether migration and diaspora communities promote or hinder development. It traces the historical shift from the optimism of modernization and neo-classical theories, through the pessimism of dependency and cumulative causation theories, to more nuanced approaches based on the new economics of labour migration, livelihoods and transnationalism. The course also analyses diaspora communities as transnational actors and migrant remittances as instruments of development, placing these debates within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Course Objectives

This course enables you to:

• analyze the theories of migration and theories of development that are associated with pessimistic and optimistic views of developmental potential of migration;
• assess the similarities and differences between functionalist paradigm and historical-structuralist paradigm for understanding migration and development nexus;
• offer a critical appraisal of diaspora as transnational communities, how their spatial and temporal identities are shaped by responses to globalization and their role in development; 
• offer a critical appraisal of migrant remittances as instrument for development; and
  Examine the social context of migrant remittances and its relevance to policy making on migration and development.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Analyse the interplay between sustainable development, migration and the responsibility of economic actors (Track A, Master's in Human Rights).

Course Outline

Section 1: Migration - Background Information

Section 2: Migration - Optimistic view – Modernization theory/Neo-classical theory

Section 3: Migration - Pessimistic view – Cumulative causation theory/Dependency theory

Section 4: Migration - Optimistic view – New economics of labour migration/Livelihoods theory

Section 5: Migration - Diaspora communities as agents of development

Section 6: Migration - Remittances as contributors to development

Section 7: Food Governance - Fragmentation in global governance architecture

Section 8: Food governance - Non-state actors and global governance architecture

Section 9: Food governance - Governance frame and global architectures

Section 10: Food governance - Symbiotic governance frame

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade; and
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises); and
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites 

This course is open to anyone holding a Master 1 / Master of Arts 1 (or an equivalent qualification) in law, the humanities, social sciences, theology, or a related field connected to human rights, or with significant personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written English is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered. 

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

• Caroline B. Brettell et James F. Hollifield (dir.), Migration Theory: Talking across Disciplines, New York, Routledge, 2008.
• Hein de Haas, « Migration and Development: A Theoretical Perspective », International Migration Review, vol. 44, no 1, 2010, pp. 227-264.
• Stephen Castles et Raúl Delgado Wise (dir.), Migration and Development: Perspectives from the South, Genève, International Organization for Migration, 2008.
• Frank Ellis, Rural Livelihoods and Diversity in Developing Countries, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2000.
• High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE), Nutrition and Food Systems, Rome, Committee on World Food Security, 2017.