Università Roma Tre

In the first part of the course, starting from the definition of international migrant adopted by the United Nations, we will try to deconstruct the perception and reality of migratory phenomena under observation with a brief historical excursus from the second post-war period. Emphasis will be placed on the current multimodal character of international migration and on migrant transnationalism and diaspora in economic, political, social and educational contexts. Multiculturalism, cosmopolitanism and different models of inclusion will be compared and analyzed in view of the social and political evolution of contemporary societies.

In the second part, the European context highlights, through statistical and ethnographic materials, the ongoing contrast between the migration control and integration policies' dimension, the impact of transnational migration on integration processes, the absence of adequate common migration and asylum policies and finally the need for suitable intercultural and intergenerational communication practices. The importance of historical memory and the transmission of knowledge on migration through diversity education facilitate the fight against problematization and thus allow the initiation of citizenship and naturalization practices appropriate to the new multi-ethnic reality and hybrid identities of transnational migrant communities.

Among others, the following topics will be covered:

 Perception and reality of international migration

 The multimodal nature of contemporary migration

 The transnational turn in the study of migration

 From 'guest workers' to 'long-term residents': a brief overview of the history of immigration to Europe (1950-1989)

 The 'third wave': irregular migration, refugees and asylum seekers in the post-cold war era (1989-)

 The Mediterranean model: migratory flows and policies in the new immigration countries of southern Europe (since the early 1980s)

 Immigration from the east and the EU neighborhood policies: the pre- and post- enlargement framework

 Comparison of models of social inclusion: differentiated exclusion, assimilation, multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism

 Immigration, cultural diversity and integration: what common standard for different migratory experiences?

 Migration and intercultural competences: training needs and integration practices of organizations in the multi-ethnic sector

Bibliographic references (attending and non-attending students)

Koser, K. (2009), Le migrazioni internazionali, Bologna: Il Mulino (Edizione originale: International Migration: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007).

Ruspini, P. (2024), Memoria e migrazioni. Percorsi di ricerca tra Svizzera e Italia in prospettiva transnazionale, Milano: Mimesis.

Ruspini, P. (2021), “Transnationalism”, in M. Colombo and G. Gilardoni (Eds), Intercultural Issues and Concepts. A Multi-Disciplinary Glossary, Europe of Cultures/Dialogues, Vol. 22, Brussels: Peter Lang, pp. 277-92.

Ruspini, P. (2019), Migrants Unbound, London: Transnational Press London.

Eade, J., Ruspini, P. (2014), “Multicultural Models”, in M. Martiniello, J. Rath (Eds) An Introduction to Immigrant Incorporation Studies: European Perspectives, IMISCOE Textbook Series, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, pp. 71-89.

Finally, other teaching materials will be suggested by the lecturer during the course together with ad hoc readings.