Special Topics in International Studies (390-0-1)

Topic

Refugees/Migration/Exile: Digital Storytelling

Instructors

J Michelle Molina
847 4612620
Crowe Hall, 4-142

Meeting Info

Kresge Cent. Hall 2-530 MADS: Tues 2:00PM - 4:30PM

Overview of class

Refugees/Migration/Exile: Digital Storytelling

In this course, students will research a case study from among the many refugee and migration crises that have dominated the news cycle in recent years. The final project is a short video about your case study.

To develop your research projects, the class foregrounds different methodological approaches: 1) To move beyond journalism, we will conduct primary and secondary historical research to understand the complex historical roots of each case study. 2) We will analyze and practice forms of ethnographic writing to better situate and describe the lived experiences of migration and exile, both past and present. 3) We will pay attention to various forms of media, whether print culture, sound, or visual media, to interrogate but also experiment with contemporary modes of narrating and conveying human experience in the digital age. Our work in class will be collaborative, thus a key prerequisite is that you are mature and self-motivated. You do not need to have prior research experience, but you need to demonstrate a desire to dig into your topic and hone your ability to write deeply informed, rigorous, and nuanced arguments and to think about creative ways to bring rigorous historical and ethnographic detail to visual storytelling.

Class Materials (Required)

All materials will be on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area