Perspectives on Global Migration

Lab Description:

According to the United Nations, more than 70 million people across the globe are either refugees who have fled their countries in fear of persecution or who have been internally displaced by conflicts in their home countries. Issues of migration currently dominate the national news. 

Because the GSU Clarkston campus is located in the heart of a refugee resettlement community, students in this course will evaluate the impact of forced migration on the community.  Students will consider the meanings of citizenship, statehood, cultural literacy, refugeehood, immigration, integration, and migration.  Students will work with community partners (NGOs, social service providers, health clinics, and local government) on community-identified projects addressing the educational, health, socioeconomic, language, and wellness needs of the residents.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop a critical awareness of the political, psychological, and cultural impact of migration on individual lives as well as the local community through community-based work with established community partners.

• Students will recognize the complexity of the global, national, and regional causes of forced migration.

• Students will learn to conduct ethical and culturally responsive research appropriate for the understanding the needs of marginalized groups.

• Students will learn to practice ethical, culturally appropriate community engagement and work with members of vulnerable populations in collaboration with community partners.