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. It explores the theoretical underpinnings of the hotly contested political debate for and against multiculturalism in Western democracies. The module tackles questions of 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 understand 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.

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 multiculturalism, transnationalism and citizenship
3. To enable students to identify the nature and 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.

Not to be taken by Study Abroad students

Principles of Community Work (SS4011) or equivalent

• Concepts of culture and multi-culturalism LO1, LO5
• Diversity in Britain: community, culture, lifestyle, citizenship LO1, LO5
• An overview of major migratory movements in the UK LO2, LO5
• Exploration and identification of transnationalism and transnational communities in the UK LO3, LO5
• Migration: Economic, political and socio-cultural transformations in the UK LO2, LO5
• Reflective practice LO4

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 discussions and debates on the theme of the lecture based on pre-set reading and taking part in interactive activities. The workshop 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.

One of the assignments 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.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to
1. Develop a critical understanding of  the debates around multiculturalism and citizenship;
2. Develop a more informed understanding of the extent of the socio-cultural,  economic and political changes as a result of global migratory patterns and contemporary issues of diversity in Britain;
3. Develop a basic knowledge of transnationalism and examine a transnational community in the UK;
4. Develop reflective skills in thinking and writing;
5. Apply analytical abilities through reading, debating, reflection and presentation;

The module is assessed by an essay (1500 words) and a reflective piece of writing (1000 words). Students will be assessed in their understanding on the concepts of culture, multiculturalism, transnationalism and transnational communities and migratory changes.

The essay will enable them to choose a community and critically examine their economic, political and social interaction with the country of origin and country of settlement and assess if the chosen community could be regarded as a transnational community.  They will examine the global migratory changes focusing on their impact on communities and cultures.

In the second assignment (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.

Core Text:

• Castles, S., De Haas, H., and Miller, M. J. (2014). The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World. 5th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan.
• Caws, P.  Chapter on Identity, Cultural, Transcultural and Multicultural in Goldberg, D. (1994) (Ed.). Blackwell.
Craig, G. Mayo, M. Popple, K. Shaw, M. Taylor, M. (2011). The Community Development Reader: History, themes and issues. Bristol: Policy Press.
• Parekh, B. (2000) Rethinking Multiculturalism: Cultural Diversity & Political Theory. Macmillan.
• The Parekh Report (2000). The Future of Multi-ethnic Britian. London: Profile Books.
• Vertovec, S. (2007) Super Diversity and its implications; in Ethnic and Racial Studies, Vol.30 No. 6
http://www.kuwi.europauni.de/de/lehrstuhl/vs/anthro/lehre_SS_2011/migration/24_vertovec_2007.pdfuni.de/de/lehrstuhl/vs/anthro/lehre_SS_2011/migration/24_vertovec_2007.pdf.
• Vertovec, S. (2009) Transnationalism. Abingdon, UK: Taylor & Francis (available as an e-book)

Additional Texts:

• Brah, A et al (1999) Thinking Identities, ethnicity, Racism and Culture. Macmillan London.
• Brah, A. Coombes, A. E. (2000). Hybridity and its Discontents: Politics, Science, Culture. London: Routledge.
• Faist, T. (1999) Transnationalisation in International Migration: Implications for the study of Citizenship and Culture, ESRC Transnational Communities Research Programme Working Papers 99-08, Oxford University Press: Oxford.
• Georgiou, M. (2006). Diaspora, identity, and the media: diasporic transnationalism and mediated spatialities. Cresskill, N.J., Hampton Press.
• Portes, A. (1999). Conclusion: towards a new world: the origins and effects of transnational activities. Ethnic and Racial Studies. 22 (2), 463 - 477.

Journals:
Community Development Journal
British Journal of Sociology
Race and Culture
Refugee Studies
Migration Studies

Websites:
www.transcomm.ox.ac.uk
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/about/equality-and-diversity
www.irr.org.uk

Electronic Databases:
Academic search Complete, Sage journals Online, Cambridge Journals Digital Archive, Oxford Journals Archive, Taylor & Francis Online Journals, Social Sciences Citation Index, Wiley Online Library.