Core Courses
The Core Courses cover conceptual, theoretical and empirical knowledge in Migration and Mobility Studies that is considered central for researchers in the field. They also aim to ensure continuity with Phase I, building on the knowledge accumulated in the previous four years. The Core Courses are taught by NCCR Professors, PostDocs, and occasionally former Fellows. The core courses are divided into four blocks:
– Empirical knowledge on migration and mobility
– Introduction to theories and concepts (general)
– Introduction to theories and concepts (module-related)
– Epistemology and interdisciplinarity
Summary table of the Core Courses (PDF)
The complete reading list and the texts can be found on SWITCHdrive.
Block 1: Empirical Knowledge
Core Course #1: Reading Seminar on Migration and Mobility
(one-day seminar)
This Reading Seminar is a one-day seminar held in small groups of doctoral students who have started their contract at about the same time. Each one is led by NCCR Postdocs and coordinated by the Network Office. It addresses legal, demographic, political and historical foundations of migration and mobility in Switzerland, Europe, and the world. The reading list comprises a series of basic texts that participants are expected to prepare for the Seminar. It also includes a series of articles, Working Papers, Policy Briefs or blog posts based on the Phase I projects. Doctoral students are warmly encouraged to read those texts, which will help them feel part of the continuity of the nccr – on the move.
Syllabus Core Course #1 (PDF)
Date: Tuesday, 4 December 2018
Block 2: Introduction to Theories and Concepts
(General)
These two Core Courses are planned in the Spring Term 2019. All enrolled doctoral students are expected to attend as part of their basic training in migration and mobility.
Core Course #2: Theories of Migration and Mobility
(one-day course)
This module presents a historical and interdisciplinary overview of theories that seek to explain why people choose – or are compelled – to leave their places of residence and seek a new one. As the regulatory mechanisms appear paramount to shape migration, it also focuses on theories that address the role of the state, first in a traditional way centered on nations and then more and more in a context of transnationalism and globalization of power.
Syllabus Core Course #2 (PDF)
Date: Friday, 15 February 2019
Core Course #3: Concepts of Migration and Mobility
(one-day course)
In spite of increasing globalization, nation states still represent important frameworks shaping migration and mobility regimes and policies today. Nation-states are important in at least two regards. First, the logic induced by nation states produces particular categories of migrants and logics of national and ethnic belonging and identities. Second, nation states are closely tied to democratic governance that structures processes of migration and mobility on national, but also sub- and supranational levels. The objective of this module is to critically engage with theories on the nation-state, nationalism, ethnicity, culture, identity, and democracy and the application of these concepts to migration and mobility studies.
Syllabus Core Course #3 (PDF)
Date: Friday, 5 April 2019
Block 3: Introduction to Theories and Concepts
(Module-Related)
Each of these three Core Courses are organized by the modules, with support from the Network Office, and in combination with the Research Days #4, #5 and #6 (Pillar II of the Doctoral Program). Doctoral students are expected to participate in the seminar organized in their module but can attend all.
Core Course #4: Transnational Mobility and Complex Diversities
(one-day course)
This course introduces theoretical, conceptual and methodological approaches related to transnationalism and complex diversities. The main goal of the course is to discuss current methodological problems and questions within this field of research. Each of the sessions starts with a short input of about 10-15 minutes by the course facilitator and/or members of his/her research team, followed by a discussion, workshop or practical activity to enable the participants to interact with each other and connect the course topic with their research.
Syllabus Core Course #4 (PDF)
Date: Thursday, 17 October 2019
Core Course #5: Citizenship and Social Cohesion
(one-day course)
The course has the objective of shedding light on theoretical and normative approaches of citizenship. It covers a variety of thematic in-depth analyses, including a theoretical discussion and a practical study of exclusionary mechanisms based on a Swiss example, as well as a psycho-sociological perspective on immigration. The course will begin with a speed dating session, followed by three interactive sessions.
Syllabus Core Course #5 (PDF)
Date: Friday, 22 November 2019
Core Course #6: Migration and Social Inequalities
(one-day course)
The objective of this course is to understand applications of the migration-mobility nexus in relation to trade and the labor market, with a particular focus on measurement and implementation. Uniting different disciplines, we discuss how to improve research by learning from each other. Four inputs provide the theoretical basis and key concepts, which will then be discussed in relation to measurement and analysis.
Syllabus Core Course #6 (PDF)
Date: Thursday, 12 December 2019
Block 4: Epistemology and Interdisciplinarity
Each Core Course of this block includes an initial presentation by one or two NCCR professors or, alternatively, presentations by Phase I Fellows (or Project Leaders). The presentations will invite for a reflection on the epistemological standing and opportunities for interdisciplinarity in migration and mobility research. All enrolled doctoral students are expected to attend as part of their basic training. The block seminar is planned in Spring 2020.
Core Course #7: Methods
(half-a-day additional course)
This course gives participants the opportunity to discuss their current methodological challenges in relation with migration/mobility issues in a completely interactive setting. In Phase I, for example, we learned together how to adjust interviews for people with experiences of mobility, or use questionnaires with short-stay persons, or adjust multisite or mobile techniques to our populations. In this course we continue these reflections while also discussing other, original research strategies.
Syllabus Core Course #7 (PDF)
Date: Thursday, 20 February 2020
Core Course #8: Epistemology, Ethics, and Interdisciplinarity
(two-day course)
Epistemology in the social sciences groups a body of work that reflects on the activity of producing knowledge, the status of such knowledge, and its life cycle. Specific epistemological questions, both general and likely to be relevant for the study of the migration-mobility nexus, will be addressed in the Core Course, together with important issues of ethics and interdisciplinarity.
Syllabus Core Course #8 (PDF)
Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, 12 and 13 October 2020
Core Course #9: Social Science Research During a Pandemic (half-day course)
The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing restrictions to travel have created unprecedented challenges to researchers in social science. By forcing unexpected changes in data collection strategies, fieldwork, and human contacts more generally, the pandemic has pushed social scientists to think about new methodological approaches to conduct research. This Core Course will give participants the opportunity to discuss alternative techniques to interact and create relationships of trust and mutual cooperation with the research participants.
Syllabus Core Course #9 (PDF)
Date: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
This Core Course will be held entirely online. We ask you to register here no later than 15 November 2020. A Webex conference link will be sent to all the participants one day before the event.
