Migration and Cultural Contacts

Key question:
What are the causes and consequences of migration and how can we deal with them?

Coordinator:
Prof. dr. Jan Kok (jan.kok@ru.nl)

General information
Why do people migrate to a different continent? What does this mean for their lives, for the communities they left behind and for those they settle in? What was and what is the impact of migration on Europe, Africa and America? You will engage with one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the peaceful integration of people with different cultural backgrounds. This minor will give you insight into important factors involved in the study of migration processes. You will be able to answer such questions as: How can you compare groups of migrants? How do migration and acculturation policies vary through time and space? What makes migration and acculturation policies successful? After completing this minor, you will be able to conduct research on various aspects of migration. You will also be capable of translating your findings into policy recommendations for governments or NGOs in the field of migration. Students will also be able to write policy papers, journal articles and they can contribute to online platforms on cultural heritage of migrants.

The minor consists of the following fixed components (mandatory for Faculty of Arts students):

More information about (the concept of) a think tank can be found here.
Do you want to participate in a think tank in the first semester and do you meet the entry requirement? Then register for the course Denktank / Think Tank (LET-LETMI-DT00).

Electives (20 EC)

In addition to the fixed components, you'll also enroll in courses for a total 20 EC. You can choose between two options:

1. You can choose a disciplinary package. In this package you can choose courses of one degree programme for a total of 20 EC. More information on the disciplinary packages can be found here.
2. You can choose courses from the interdisciplinary packageof the minorMigration and Cultural Contacts for a total of 20 EC. In this package you will find courses from the Faculty of Arts that allow you to focus on specific aspects of literature and society.

* Since these two courses are part of a module in the Philosophy, Politics and Society bachelor programme, students officially need to take the complete module that consists of three courses in total. It is not yet clear if an exemption for students from the Faculty of Arts can be made. Please keep a close eye on this webpage to check for any changes/updates.

Please note:

• If you want to include a course in the elective space of the minor which is not included in the package or want to take a minor elsewhere (at another faculty or university), you must send a substantiated request to the Examination Board at least six weeks before the start of the course.
  If you want to include a different course in your interdisciplinary package, the Examination Board will check whether this course is indeed related to the theme of the minor and in case of (a change in) a disciplinary package, whether there is disciplinary coherence.
• It is not possible to account for each student’s timetable when scheduling the courses for the disciplinary and interdisciplinary packages. This means you will only be able to take a course if your timetable permits. If you encounter any difficulties planning which minor courses to take, please consult you study advisor.
• If you choose one or more courses offered by another faculty, please note that they might have different registration deadlines for courses, exams, and resits. Check the STIP-website of the faculty in question and/or the OER of the programme that offers the course you would like to take for more information.