230157 SE Issues in Contemporary Immigration (2013S)

The recent and massive immigration in the past few decades is transforming the wealthy societies of the West. It is also transforming the study of immigration. By now, there is a substantial, and growing, scholarly literature on immigration as sociologists, along with social scientists in allied disciplines, grapple with the complexity of the subject. This seminar will examine several key topics in the study of contemporary immigration. Among the questions we will explore: How are immigrants incorporated into the labor market? What are the nature and consequences of transnational ties? How is immigration changing the construction of race and ethno/racial relations? How does immigration affect the relations between parents and children in immigrant families? Although our main focus will be on the United States, we will also consider the immigrant situations in European countries during our discussions.