Immigration, integration, diversity 1

This course gives an overview on perspectives and recent research within the field of immigration, with special focus on issues related to refugees and work with children and families with minority background. The course will focus on meetings between the welfare system and the minority population, including national minorities and indigenous people, with emphasis on the Child Welfare care and Social Services. Central issues will be immigration and integration politics, marginalization processes, risk factors and coping strategies.

Knowledge

• Specialized understanding of different theories about migration, transnationalism and multiculturalism
• In-depth knowledge of various factors affecting marginalization of children and families with minority background, including racism and discrimination
• In-depth knowledge of flight, exile and the social integration of refugees and labour migrants
• Advanced knowledge of refugee- and immigration policy and the Norwegian welfare system
• Can analyze academic topics based on different perspectives on the relationship between migration and factors such as ethnicity, gender and class

Skills

• Ability to reflect and critically discuss goals and measures in immigration policy
• Can reflect independently on theoretical perspectives and societal discourses related to inclusion and integration
• Can describe and analyze marginalization processes in society
• Ability to analyze risk factors and assess coping strategies related to refugees' living conditions and life situation
• Can reflect on how, for example, ethnicity, gender, and class affect migration, inclusion and migrants' experience of their own situation
• Has the ability to recognize and handle complex situations in collaboration with users and service providers in diverse contexts

Lectures, seminars, self-study.