Worldwide human migration and displacements are at an all time high because of political, economic, and environmental upheavals. In the Americas, in particular, there has been a steady increase in migration to the U.S. from Mexico and Latin America since the 1960s. The most significant change has been the greater participation of women due in part to the negative impact of structural adjustment programs (SAPs) resulting in the impoverishment of agricultural sectors and lack of employment opportunities, a combination known to produce the feminization of migration. In this class, we will explore this phenomenon and the various challenges borne by women and youths. We will consider relevant theories, such as structural violence, as well as a wide range of perspectives, combining demography, history, ethnography and public policy analysis to better understand issues of borders, transnational identities, human rights, labor rights, and responsibilities of host and sending states. This class us typically offered in the Spring semester, every two year.
Objectives
In this course, students will:
- Improve their understanding of the experiences of immigrant women and in the context of cultural adaptation.
- Become familiar with relevant theories for understanding the feminization of migration.
- Translate knowledge into effective arguments for immigrant assistance policies
- Learn about the research methods that advance our understanding of the impact of immigration and economic policies on women in both sending and settlement communities
- For those conducting independent research projects for their Masters or Ph.D. degree, this course will provide the opportunity to incorporate gendered perspectives into your research.