module specification

The module enables the students to develop an understanding of global migration and economic, political structures and socio-cultural impact on diverse communities in Britain. It examines some of the rapidly changing migratory patterns and emergence of new refugee and migrant communities. The main focus of the module is an examination of transnational communities in the UK and their hybrid identity of belonging to at least to two nationalities, cultures, economies and politics (‘being here and there’). The module tackles topics of citizenship and diaspora and whether and how it is possible to develop a sense of belonging in a culturally diverse society. It enables the students to develop a critical understanding of the emerging cultures and communities in Britain and examine some of the changes which have taken place as a result of the global migration and technological innovation. This module will also enable the students to carry out secondary research on their chosen transnational community.

Module aims:

1. To provide students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse the current migratory changes in contemporary Britain.
2. To familiarise students with debates on transnationalism, diasporic communities and citizenship
3. To enable students to identify a transnational community and explore their range of transnational links and activities regarding their settlement and origin country in the context of challenges posed by societal change and diversity for integration, social cohesion and community development in contemporary Britain.
4. To enable the learners to critically reflect on their learning and relate the wider socio-economic and cultural contexts to their everyday experience and community development work.

None

• Global migration and reasons LO1
• Transnationalism LO1
• Citizenship and diaspora LO1
• Transnational Economic and political activities LO2
• Transnational socio-cultural activities LO2
• Researching transnational activities LO1, 2, 3, and 5
• A case study: Kurdish transnational communities in the UK LO
• Reflective practice LO4 and 5

The module promotes critical thinking and reflection and is taught by weekly lectures of one hour duration followed by student-centred seminars and workshops. The seminars will focus on reading on a weekly basis, discussions and debates on the theme of the lecture based on pre-set reading and taking part in interactive activities. The seminar sessions will offer an opportunity for students to read short relevant extracts, explore case studies and practise reflective writing. The module will rely on blended learning actively, promoting the use of various platforms including the WebLearn, use of online sources and other methods to enhance student control on learning.

The assignment is a workbook which has two parts: a report on a secondary research on a transnational community and the second part is a reflective account of students’ learning on the module. They are encouraged to reflect on the lectures and seminars and read further and reflect on their reading. Students are invited to read their reflective accounts in the seminar session to promote a peer-supported reflective learning environment. This exercise encourages students to learn from each other and improve their reflective writing and in-depth reflection.

Students will benefit from a blended learning approach through the use of Weblearn for online and ongoing access to lecture notes, additional materials including articles and research reports, links to E-books. There will also be the opportunity to benefit from both on-campus and online learning from 2022.

Students are encouraged to make full use of the University library resources as well as other on-line resources and, where appropriate, other libraries.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to

1. Develop a critical understanding of the debates around transnationalism and transnational communities, citizenship and diaspora;
2. Develop a more informed understanding of the extent of the transnational socio-cultural, economic and political activities as a result of global migratory patterns and contemporary issues of diversity in Britain;
3. Develop and apply research skills in a piece of secondary research on a chosen transnational community;
4. Develop reflective skills in thinking and writing and produce a reflective report on your learning from the module;
5. Apply analytical abilities through reading, debating, reflection and presentation.

The module is assessed by a workbook which has two parts: a secondary research report on a transnational community (1500 words) and a reflective piece of writing (1000 words) . Students will be assessed in their understanding on the concepts of transnationalism, transnational communities, citizenship, diaspora and migratory changes.

The report will enable them to choose a community and critically examine their economic, political and social transnational interaction with the country of origin and country of settlement and assess if the chosen community could be regarded as a transnational community. 

In the second part of the workbook (reflective piece), they will systematically review their learning on the module. They are expected to demonstrate that as a result of further reflection, they will identify further sources and read some of them. They are also expected to refer how their learning from the module would affect their community and youth practice.

This module has opportunities for formative assessment, and draft work is considered and commented on. Comments on draft work are provided a week before the final hand in date, so that students have opportunities to amend their work

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/8FCAEC5B-A0B2-CE60-836A-C676ACCA34FE.html?lang=en-US