Background
Extreme climatic events and environmental change act as migration push factors, when combined with various social, economic and cultural influences. Yet, many individuals threatened by natural hazards do not migrate. Thus, edifying knowledge on the emerging theoretical, methodological and empirical developments in environmental non-migration (i.e. immobility) research is essential for the countries vulnerable to climate change. This seminar course asks the following questions:
- What are the conceptual perspectives of environmental (non-)migration? (Conceptualization)
- What are the methodological approaches employed in environmental migration and non-migration studies? (Methods and tools)
- What are the regional differences in the evidence on environmental (non-)migration? (empirical perspectives of different regions that are vulnerable to climate risks)
- What is the policy relevance of environmental (non-)migration studies? (emerging policy topics)
Drawing on a theoretically and geographically diverse range of examples, the participants will read across human geography, economics, and anthropology, and sociological theory, methodology and cases. Collectively, the participants will explore and gain the knowledge of 'who stays and who migrates amid environmental threats, how it matters, and what policies are required for them.'
Organization:
This seminar entails both reading and writing exercises. Participants will prepare for attending class so that they can discuss, question, and critique during the class. They may bring their notes and comments to the class.
During the introductory lecture, the participants will be divided into a group of 2 or 3, depending on the number of participants. This group has one task: presentation of an article.
In each class, one group will start the seminar by presenting the readings. Presentations should be on the selected readings, not more than 20 minutes and include:
- a brief summary of the readings;
- an introduction of the critical arguments and main ideas of the research;
- at least three critical questions about the readings that may facilitate the seminar discussion,
- additional comments that may illuminate or expand on the readings.
Each participant will present at least once in the semester.
Later each participant will write a final research paper (in English) based on primary and secondary textual sources OR secondary quantitative or qualitative data sources. The participant will identify research questions relevant to the topics discussed in the seminars. While developing the proposal, the participants should consider the following guiding questions:
- Is this a question worth asking?
- Is it a question that can be answered in a ca. 15-page (ca.35000 characters including spaces) paper using a combination of primary and secondary sources?
If so, the participant will submit a proposal for the final paper including
- two/three paragraphs outlining the research question(s),
- why and how the paper is relevant to the themes of the seminar,
- sources of information, and
- a preliminary bibliography of 10-15 potential sources that the participant will use to situate and answer those questions.
Both the proposal and the final paper submission will be discussed in class. final submission 30.03.2022
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