Studies in American Culture (310-0-30)

Topic

Immigration Politics and Policy

Instructors

Julianne Lee Merseth Cook
847/467-0276

Meeting Info

Locy Hall 111: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

This course provides an introduction to immigration politics and policy in the United States with a focus on the contemporary incorporation of post-1965 immigrants. We will examine the role of the state and the history of U.S. immigration policies that continue to shape social and political experiences among the foreign-born; public opinion toward immigrants and immigration issues, highlighting the ways in which they are ideologically contested; the processes through which immigrants are politically incorporated in the U.S., with an emphasis on the significance of race and ethnicity in immigrant communities; and explanations of immigrant participation and mobilization in twenty-first century American politics.

Learning Objectives

• Develop skills in discussing topics related to immigrants and immigration in the contemporary American political context
• Critically engage with theories and evidence related to the following: immigration policies (historical and contemporary), public opinion on immigration issues and attitudes toward/among immigrants, immigrant participation and mobilization
• Understand the sources of heterogeneity within and across diverse immigrant communities
• Analyze competing viewpoints on (increasingly heated) political issues related to immigrants and immigration
• Understand the relationships in immigration politics and policymaking among categories of nativity, citizenship status, legal status, and race/ethnicity

Class Attributes

Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity

Associated Classes

DIS - Parkes Hall 214: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-420: Fri 3:00PM - 3:50PM