MASTER OF ARTS IN MIGRATION STUDIES (THESIS) /
MASTER IN MIGRATION STUDIES (NON THESIS)
GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Migration is a global phenomenon that affects almost all countries in the world today. People are constantly moving to find better economic opportunities , reunite with families and spouses and to find work either temporarily or permanently.
Migration is intertwined with a host of issues such as economic development, human security, transnational social movements, gender and human rights to name just a few. The complex and multi-dimensional phenomenon of migration has generated varied and competing perspectives, approaches and discourses which animate the study of migration.
The Migration Studies Program in the Philippines is an interdisciplinary program committed to the critical study and analysis of contemporary issues and challenges in migration. The program draws upon theories and knowledge from different social science disciplines to understand the multidimensional nature of migration as a social process that interweaves with politics, economics, culture, legal systems and other social forces that impinge on people crossing geographical borders. A specific focus of the program is the crosscutting theme of gender as a crucial element in the process of migration.
An important part of the program is the comparative analyses of migration and immigration policies as well as migration management practices of receiving and sending countries and the global and domestic factors that shape them. The location of the Migration Studies Program in a sending country like the Philippines gives it a unique vantage point to critically examine the aforementioned issues.
Graduates of this course are expected to acquire a broader perspective and knowledge of the nature of migration as part of globalization processes that have social, economic and political impacts and dimensions. Integral to the program is providing a space for continuing migration discourse that engage government, civil society actors particularly migrant groups and advocates, the academe and the private sector.
Curriculum
YEAR 1 First Semester
MS 201 Introduction to Migration Studies: Theories and Current trends
The Course provides an overview of the theories and current trends in the analysis of migration using an interdisciplinary approach. Utilizing the lens of social science disciplines, the subject enables the student to gain an appreciation of differing perspectives and approaches in the study of migration.
MS 206 Research Methods in Migration
Migration subjects migrants to a wide variety of experiences as crossing borders involves varied exposures to different cultures and institutional requirements which differ from the country of origin. Thus, the course exposes the student to research techniques required in producing knowledge that are both objective and subjective, accounting for the multi-dimensional texture of migration experiences.
MS 204 Gender Analysis in migration
The Course examines how gender roles and status of men and women in society influence and/or account for their decision to migrate. It will also look at the shared as well as differentiated impacts of migration on male/female migrant and their spouses as well family and children left behind. Key concepts on “gender” and its intersection with class , ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and other sources of “identity” and how these play out in migration processes ,will be explored in a number of case studies.
YEAR 1 Second Semester
MS 202 Migration , Development and Demographic Transitions
This course addresses the issue of migration/immigration patterns and trends in both sending and receiving countries . It examines the nexus of migration and development in the context of globalization processes and demographic transitions. What are the discourses on development and migration? Who defines the parameters of these debates? Most sending governments view the benefits of migration by simply looking at remittances and investments of migrants and diaspora communities . On the other hand, civil society actors and movements problematize the social costs of migration and interrogate the rationalization of overseas labor migration as a motor of development. It will highlight key issues in migration and explore thoughtful analyses and reflections on both the positive and negative dimensions of migration.
MS 205 Comparative Migration Policies: Sending and Receiving Countries
This course studies the full spectrum of migration and immigration policies of both sending and receiving countries . These policies, whether restrictive or open have serious implications in the ability of people to migrate for work and their capacity to claim the rights due them in a migration context. Restrictive legal regimes will be examined in the context of current political threats and tensions at the national, regional and international levels.
MS 209 Diaspora, Migration, and identities
The course introduces the concept of identity as socially –constructed migrants confront the displacing outcomes of migration. Migrant women and minority groups in particular suffer from vulnerabilities arising from their gender, race, nationality and even religion. The course explores the different patterns of accommodation, compromises, and resistances with authorities and institutions as migrants negotiate their adjustments and reconfigure their concepts of home, citizenship and identities.
YEAR 2 – First Semester
MS 203 Migration & International Human Rights Law
This course provides an overview of human rights principles and instruments relevant to migration. The UN Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and the Protection of their Families as well as other human rights and mechanisms that address and highlight the rights of migrants will be the focus of the course. In light of current policies by receiving countries to restrict admission of migrants, the course will also tackle the issues of tension and contention between sending and receiving countries in regard to the rights of migrants.
MS 208 Migration Management and Governance: Theory and Practice
The course examines how governments (both sending and receiving) manage, regulate and rationalize migration movements particularly of overseas labor. Different elements of management are involved in different types and different stages of migration. In order to develop a more coherent migration management regime that ensure normative standards for the treatment of migrants; immigrants; asylum seekers and victims of trafficking , etc; treaties agreements , mechanisms and processes have been developed at various levels. The Global Forum on Migration is of particular importance in this regard.
MS 210 Social Costs of Migration
The course interrogates the impact of migration on family members left behind, either women , men and children. How migrant households manage the resulting separations which often bring about social dislocations, especially for children will be the focus of this course. The course introduces a perspective of protecting and caring for human capital rendered unstable by migration
Summer: MS 213 Special and Emerging Issues in Migration (Summer Institute on Migration)
The transnational nature of migration has given rise to a diversity of issues that need to be addressed internationally. Current concerns and issues on migration such as forced migration , refugees and asylum seekers ; trafficking in persons; migration and the AIDS pandemic; transnational crimes ; migrants’ health and reproductive rights ; the human rights of migrants will be discussed.
An intensive one-week course offered every summer (April or May) , the course is designed for graduate students as well development workers, midlevel career officials, NGO leaders and international organizations working on the issues of migration , human rights and gender. Resource speakers and a mix of participants from Asia, Middle East and North America and from various schools and government agencies as well as NGOs , make this course a dynamic and extremely interesting one. de Graduate students are required to pass a course term paper after the sessions to earn a 3-unit credit in MS 213.
Electives (6 units) .MS 211 Forced Migration, Refugees and Asylum Seekers
This course explores the root causes of forced migration and the massive flight of peoples from one country to another. These movements arising from wars, conflicts, environmental disasters and political persecution, social stigmatization and violence against women and minority groups will be examined in light of existing international human rights and humanitarian law .
MS 212 Starting Over: Migrant Reintegration
The course looks into the common problems faced by migrants who are returning to their home countries. It examines issues of adjustment and reintegration with their families and communities and the difficulties that they experience in the process. Best practices in migrant reintegration initiated by both government and NGOs will be examined as to their effectiveness and relevance to returning migrants.. The course will include a significant field work component.
MS 214 Special Topics: Migration of the Highly Skilled (Focused on the Health Professionals)
Declining populations, shortages in labor and services as well as in technical fields have compelled many developed countries to recruit highly skilled professionals to ensure its pool of specialized human capital. State policies on migration are often slanted towards the highly skilled as these are deemed critical to the sustainability of the economic prosperity of developed countries. Issues of “brain drain” ; “brain gain” and “brain circulation “will be discussed in this context.
IS 204 Global Governance : The UN and Civil Society
MS 215 - Comprehensive Examinations
MS 216 – Thesis (6 units)
Modes of Enrollment
Plan A: Regular 2 Year Program utilizing both classroom teaching and on-line discussion (Blended Learning)
1) Thesis : 34 units (course subjects ) + 6 units (thesis ) = 40 units
2) Non-thesis : 34 units (course subjects) + 9 units= 45 units
Plan B: Executive Training on Migration (Diploma Course conducted through Blended Learning and Online ) , Starting October 2010.
A 3-month intensive short term course combining online learning and regular classroom interaction specifically designed for government frontline officers on migration, local government officials , NGO and community leaders working with migrants.
Requirements:
Interested applicants may submit the following requirements to the Admissions Office:
a) Accomplished application form
b) Official transcript of academic records (certified true copy)
c) 2 letters of recommendation from the
College/University last attended or present employer.
d) Updated curriculum vitae/work experience
e) 2 2X2 colored pictures
f) entrance exam
Faculty
Dr. Patricia Licuanan (Psychology, Pennsylvania State University)
Prof. Aurora de Dios (Asian Studies, University of the Philippines)
Dr. Nanette Dungo (Sociology, University of the Philippines)
Dr. Carrie Tharan ( Gender Studies, Center for Migration Research ,University of Sussex)
Dr. Grace Aguiling-Dalisay (Psychology, University of the Philippines)
Resource Persons
Ms. Edna Aquino (Social Policy, London School of Economics)
Mr. Xavier Hennekinne (International Commerce & Business Administration, Institut de Management International de Paris)
Prof. Mamoru Tsuda (Visiting Professor, Osaka University)