PP 341 - US Immigration Policy

The increased movement of capital, information, and people has forced scholars and policymakers to rethink traditional paradigms and boundaries regarding nation states. The purpose of this course is to look at one of the most important facets of globalization, the movement of people, and to understand the challenges it poses to U.S. policymakers and society. The course is divided into two sections. The first examines the push-pull factors associated with international migration, both authorized and unauthorized. We will also consider federal, state, and local policies pertaining to immigration. The second part of the course examines the incorporation process. Specifically, we seek to understand whether it is possible for contemporary immigrants to integrate culturally, politically, and economically into the United States despite being unwelcomed by the host society. While the course focuses on immigrants from Latin America, other ethnic/immigrant groups will be explored and discussed throughout the semester for purposes of comparison.
Units: 4
Course Type: Seminar