Sociology of Immigration (322-0-20)
Instructors
Jennifer A Jones
Jennifer Jones is an Associate Professor of Sociology and a Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. Her research lies at the intersection of the sociology of race, immigration, and politics. Throughout her scholarship, she examines how race “works”, exploring the relationship between categorical ascription (e.g., checking a box, or how one is perceived) and meaning-making (e.g., identity, or feeling a sense of group belonging).
Meeting Info
555 Clark B01: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
This course is a critical look at immigration in the United States. Despite popular imagery that casts the United States as a ‘nation of immigrants', immigration has long been a contested arena of public debate, characterized by cycles of openness and xenophobia. Debates over who is worthy of being considered for inclusion in the U.S. as workers, as rights-bearing members of our communities, and potentially, as citizens, are fueled by racialized and politicized ideas of who is deserving or capable of being considered American.
With a focus on post-1965 immigration trends, policies, and issues in the U.S., this course will cover how sociologists have analyzed, understood, and critiqued various immigration issues, including questions of integration, race, and belonging; national identity, assimilation, and transnationalism; lawful and unlawful entry; deportation; legalization, amnesty, asylum, and deferred action; and citizenship.
Given the current political moment, we will also work together to make sense of contemporary political debates, and policies, and how they link to, or diverge from, historical patterns. Throughout, we will also consider how immigration links to key areas of power, difference, and inequality.
While this class will center on sociological perspectives, we will also draw from legal studies, political science, history, and other fields throughout the course. As such, interdisciplinary perspectives are also welcome in this course.
Learning Objectives
• Gain a broad understanding of how immigration has been understood in the U.S. as a political and social issue over time;
• Connect immigration issues to broader questions of power, inequality, and difference;
• Improve critical reading skills and media literacy;
• Begin to develop your own perspective regarding key sociological concepts and debates when it comes to immigration.
Teaching Method
Discussion and lecture
Evaluation Method
class participation, short critical reflection memos, policy presentation, final research paper
Class Materials (Required)
This course will have required books/other materials. Please contact the instructor for further information.
Class Attributes
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area