UCSB Migration-Related Courses — 2020-2021

Fall 2020 

UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL:

• American Migrations Since 1965 (Asian American Studies 2)

Professor John Park

Over twenty million people came to the United States after the Immigration Act of 1965, and so this law has remained one of the most consequential and controversial rules in American history. In this class, we will discuss the origins of the rule, and then the law’s relationship to subsequent immigration reforms and trends. Although the class focuses on the experiences of Asian immigrants, we will also discuss migration from other continents and regions. Among other topics, we will cover the economic integration of immigrants, interracial conflicts, community formations, and the politics of immigration law and policy. We will discuss in great detail why this area of public law remains so vexing.  For a course syllabus, please contact Professor Park at jswpark@ucsb.edu.

• Global Diasporas (GLOBL 104)

Professor Thandi Shinder 

The course begins by exploring the concept of diaspora and its changing meaning during the accelerated phase of international migration and emergence of transnationalism. Having examined contexts and several case studies of formation of several diaspora communities, especially their settlement in the USA, the course will explore challenges that diasporas face in transmitting cultural and religious identities to future generations. The course will then move to consider the growing role of diasporas as potential development agents both in their homelands as well as their hostlands (adopted homes) and finally to the important role they play as non-state transnational actors in the domestic and global spheres.

• People, Place and Enviroment (Geography 5) 

GRADUATE LEVEL:

• Critical Issues in Asian American Studies (Asian American Studies 200)  

Asian American Studies is a burgeoning field of study, which appears to be shifting once again into multiple directions – geographically, thematically, and theoretically. This graduate course is a collaborative effort stemming from “The Asian/American Studies Collective” research focus group, supported by Interdisciplinary Humanities Center (IHC). The goal of this group is:

… to further the interdisciplinary study of the historical and contemporary experiences of racialized Asian populations in the US. We also seek to highlight the various intersections of positionalities and experiences within Asian American communities and to connect these to broader histories of other minoritized groups in the US. In recasting scholarship from an an Asian American perspective, our Research Focus Group aims to draw upon and advance theoretical perspectives and methodologies in the humanities and social sciences including but not limited to ethnic, transnational, feminist, and cultural studies. (https://www.ihc.ucsb.edu/the-asian-american-studies-collective/)

This reading list brings together disciplines across the social sciences, history, and literature/cultural studies.  Rather than “foundational” per se, these texts are presented as important in their reference to or deviation from the foundational. 

Winter 2021

GRADUATE LEVEL:

• Race and Global Migration (Sociology)

Professor Jean Beaman

• Global Migration (Global Studies)

​Professor Vladimir Hamed-Troyansky 

UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL:

Chicana/o Studies

• Latina/o Youth in Global Perspective (CH ST 161) 

• Latinidades (CH ST 191)

Professor Daina Sanchez 

• Immigration and the Mexico-US Border

Professor San Juanita Garcia

Spring 2021

UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL:

• Transnationalism (CH ST 178A)

Professor Daina Sanchez