The final paper integrates class readings (from all required sources), demonstrates analytical understanding of migration-related themes, and assesses immigration policies in terms of whether they advance social justice and human rights.
WEEKLY TOPICS 6–10:
(a) How is family’s gender equity affected by migration and settlement experiences? What do the studies (Espiritu, Menjivar, Barajas & Ramirez…) find on whether families become more equitable in gender relationships? Compare the variant experiences within a specific nationality (e.g., race, ethnicity, class, transnationalism)? What is the home-host dichotomy? How do all the readings critique it?
(b) How are identities shaped in-between worlds (give examples)? What is transnationalism and what facilitates and hinders it? How does the transnational experience affect views of home (i.e., feeling a sense of belonging)? What is nepantla and how do transnational migrants reflect this experience?
(c) How were the “Illegal Alien” and national boundaries socially constructed? What context gave rise to national borders? How have borders changed across time? When was the concept of “illegal” introduced and when did it become popular in usage? What are the effects of its usage?
(d) What is the working definition for nativism? How do racist and ethnocentric nativism affect migrants/society? What are common themes associated with nativism? The UC Davis Dean of Law School, Kevin Johnson gave a CRISJ talk on “The KKK, Immigration Law and Policy, and Donald Trump” (videoLinks to an external site.). What is the nature of nativism that our nation faces today?
(e) How is your policy related to and/or disconnected from sociological facts about migration?
Reflecting on your Immigrant Policy Report, how do Topic 10 readings assess the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of your policy?
A TWO-PART FINAL, TAKE-HOME PAPER:
Part I (4-6 pages).
Answer the questions above for three weekly topics (see above a-d), and discuss key themes and concepts from the readings. A minimum of 9 different reading sources expected for this part, and must come from SOC 122 class reading sources: books, course reader, and canvas readings. Videos used in class also accepted as a reading source.
Part II (1-2 pages).
Analyze your group policy report by informing it with sociological knowledge about immigration processes [see readings from “e”, topic 10]. Briefly, identify the objectives of the policy, assess its limitations/strengths and consequences, and advance recommendations for humane policies and programs that lessen racial, gender, and economic relationships of exploitation. [A minimum of 3 reading sources expected for this part; can include videos as a source of reference]
Special Instructions:
Paper must be about six-eight pages, formal margins, double-spaced, 12-point font size, and also include a title page and reference page. Choose a style—ASA, APA, Chicago, etc.—and be consistent in listings. Remember to number your pages. Plagiarizing (copying/using others’ work without acknowledgement/ quotes) will result in an automatic course failure and administrative disciplining.