Analyze immigration policy in the European Union and its individual member states with attention to its residual socioeconomic and political implications. Special focus on gender, ethnic, and religious identities as they relate to immigration policy. In a globalized world, immigration transforms the fabric of our societies and poses new challenges to democratic politics. All over Europe, the migratory phenomenon has triggered new forms of identity conflict, which are shaping the political life of every country. In 2015, at least one million people sought refuge on European shores. The refugee crisis throws new light on European politics, revamping the urgency of a series of deep-set problems: conceptions and practices of citizenship, identity, multiculturalism, and secularization. Xenophobia is now a major component of public discourses in many European countries. These issues not only dominate domestic political debates in many countries but also seem to jeopardize the very future of the European Union, as clearly indicated by the recent history of Brexit. For this reason, the course will focus on Europe: however, it will adopt a comparative perspective, taking into consideration the U.S. situation as well as other relevant examples.
This course has an associated course fee. See the Course Fees webpage for more information.
Department: Political Science
Location: Florence
Semesters: Fall, Spring
Credits: 3