International migrations: a global issue from Coursera

ABOUT THE MOOC : INTERNATIONAL MIGRATIONS: A GLOBAL ISSUE

Catherine Wihtol De Wenden - CERI CNRS/SciencesPo

ABOUT THE COURSE

The world is moving, but not all opinions and governments are willing to accept this poorly understood reality. The issue affects both states and the planet, in a process of globalization and of regionalization of migrations, and raises new questions for international relations, now including the South. This course aims at improving knowledge of the subject, addressing the key issues raised by international migration, and assessing the trends of tomorrow.

FORMAT

The MOOC lasts 7 weeks and focuses on various themes related to migration. It makes use of various types of document, such as maps, news articles, and scientific papers.

The text is in English and the videos are in French with English subtitles

TEACHERS

Catherine Wihtol de Wenden is Research Director at the CNRS (CERI) and teaches at Sciences-Po. She has been a consultant to many international organizations, notably the Council of Europe and the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. From 2002 to 2008, she led the "Migration" research group of the International Sociological Association. Author of some 20 books, and having conducted many field investigations, she also teaches at the Sapienza University of Rome.

COURSE OUTLINE

Session 1: Globalization of migration

Session 2: Refugees and environmentally displaced persons

Session 3: Europe

Session 4: France and international migration flows

Session 5: Citizenship and migration

Session 6: Borders

Session 7: Right to mobility and global governance

What's inside

Syllabus

Session 1: Globalization of migration

Session 2: Refugees and environmentally displaced persons

Session 3: Europe

Session 4: France and international migration flows

Session 5: Citizenship and migration

Session 6: Borders

Session 7: Right to mobility and global governance

Bibliography

Maps

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores international migrations, which is a growing trend worldwide

Examines refugee and environmentally displaced person (EDP) movements, which are complex and challenging issues

Analyzes the European migration context, which is diverse and constantly evolving

Discusses citizenship and migration, which are intertwined and often debated topics

Investigates borders and their impact on migration, which can be both physical and metaphorical

Explores the right to mobility and global governance, which are key issues in the current migration landscape

Reviews summary

Migration: a global issue

Learners say this course is largely positive, with many highlighting topics such as lectures, readings, and excerpts as strengths. Overall, learners found the information relevant, clear, and informative, providing a strong starting point for those interested in this field.

Videos in French with English subtitles

"The course is able to give an overview, history, and why migration happens around the world. Recommended for those who want to understand the migration issues around the world."

"Course with interesting content. The first few weeks are a more globally-focused, but then on it takes a strong European focus. Videos are in French and are clear, and English subtitles are available for non-French speakers."

"The videos are in French with English subtitles, which somewhat reduces the perception of the material."

Offers a strong historical background on migration

"The course content is relevant to the issues of migration. It provides a solid historical background on the evolution of migration globally particulary concerning Migration in Europe."

"This is a great overview of how migration is a huge fact of study and to understand. It is really important to know how the world is changing and with it, every day brings new challenges."

Too focused on Europe

"Course with interesting content. The first few weeks are a more globally-focused, but then on it takes a strong European focus."

"The course is a good course of beginners and explains well migration issues overall. Unfortunately it lacks updates and there are no mentioning of what happens in the world of migration after 2016."

"The course is too focused on european migrants and didn't reflect the complete and global process."

Outdated with limited updates after 2016

"The course seems to be outdated and does not touch on any developments after 2016."

"The course is a good course of beginners and explains well migration issues overall. Unfortunately it lacks updates and there are no mentioning of what happens in the world of migration after 2016."

"I believe some subjects must be revised and updated since I think this course began in 2016 and a lot has changed."

"The course content was good, seemed curated and simplified for all learners, it's easily accessible to most. However, the assessment could be more meaningful and challenging to actually make learners think critically about the issue of global migration. The course could benefit from implementing more interactive tools other than multiple choice assessments based on mere memory and a forum. Overall, I would recommend! Just make sure you are an autonomous learner and create your own tasks to make the learning meaningful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in International migrations: a global issue with these activities:

Create a Mind Map of Migration Factors

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Helps visualize and organize the complex factors influencing migration, enhancing understanding of their interconnections.

Browse courses on Migration

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Brainstorm a list of factors that influence migration decisions.
Categorize the factors into different groups or themes.
Use a mind mapping tool or software to create a visual representation of the factors and their relationships.
Present the mind map to the class or share it online for feedback.

Participate in a Migration-Themed Hackathon

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Encourages innovative thinking and problem-solving by applying technical and analytical skills to address migration-related challenges.

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Identify a migration-themed hackathon or competition.
Form a team or work independently.
Develop a project that addresses a specific migration challenge or opportunity.
Submit your project and present it to a panel of judges.
Receive feedback and recognition for your work.

Mentor Students in Migration Studies

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Provides an opportunity to deepen understanding of migration concepts while supporting the learning of fellow students, fostering collaboration and community.

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Identify a student who is interested in migration studies.
Offer to provide guidance and support.
Meet regularly to discuss course material, research ideas, or career goals.
Provide constructive feedback and encouragement.
Celebrate successes and provide support during challenges.

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Career center

Learners who complete International migrations: a global issue will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

International Relations Analyst

An International Relations Analyst investigates international issues and produces reports with recommendations for government officials and policymakers. This course examines the key issues raised by international migration and assesses the trends of tomorrow, which would be highly valuable to someone in this role. Furthermore, the topics covered in the course, such as globalization of migration and citizenship and migration, are directly relevant to the work of an International Relations Analyst.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts help develop and analyze public policy. They research issues, write reports, and make recommendations on a variety of policy issues. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, which would be valuable to someone in this role. Furthermore, the course covers topics such as citizenship and migration and borders, which are directly relevant to the work of a Policy Analyst.

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Migration Specialist

Migration Specialists work with migrants and refugees to provide assistance and support. They may also work with governments and organizations to develop and implement migration policies. This course provides a comprehensive overview of international migration, including the historical and political context, the economic and social impact of migration, and the challenges and opportunities presented by migration. This knowledge would be invaluable to someone working as a Migration Specialist.

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International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. They may work on a variety of projects, such as providing access to education, healthcare, or clean water. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the impact of migration on development. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as an International Development Specialist, particularly those working on projects related to migration.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers work with communities to identify and address issues that are important to them. They may work on a variety of issues, such as affordable housing, education, or healthcare. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the impact of migration on communities. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Community Organizer, particularly those working with immigrant communities.

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Demographer

Demographers study human populations. They collect and analyze data on population size, growth, and distribution. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the demographic impact of migration. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Demographer, particularly those specializing in migration.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study human societies and social behavior. They may work on a variety of topics, such as social inequality, crime, or education. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the social impact of migration. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Sociologist, particularly those specializing in migration.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human cultures and societies. They may work on a variety of topics, such as kinship, religion, or political systems. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the cultural impact of migration. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as an Anthropologist, particularly those specializing in migration.

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Historian

Historians study the past. They may work on a variety of topics, such as political history, social history, or economic history. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the historical context of migration. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Historian, particularly those specializing in migration.

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Journalist

Journalists report on current events. They may work for a variety of media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, or television. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the political and economic impact of migration. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Journalist, particularly those specializing in migration.

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Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in legal matters. They may work on a variety of cases, such as criminal cases, civil cases, or family law cases. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the legal implications of migration. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Lawyer, particularly those specializing in immigration law.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with personal and social problems. They may work with a variety of clients, such as children, families, or the elderly. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the social impact of migration. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Social Worker, particularly those working with immigrant populations.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the impact of migration on education. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Teacher, particularly those working with immigrant students.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers lead and manage nonprofit organizations. They may work on a variety of issues, such as poverty, homelessness, or the environment. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the impact of migration on nonprofits. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Nonprofit Manager, particularly those working with immigrant populations.

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Human Rights Activist

Human Rights Activists work to protect and promote human rights. They may work on a variety of issues, such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, or the right to a fair trial. This course provides a strong foundation in the key issues raised by international migration, including the human rights of migrants. This knowledge would be valuable to someone working as a Human Rights Activist, particularly those working on issues related to migration.

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