Connecting Cultures: Migration and Immigration

This module explores representations of the movement and displacement of people, whether forced or voluntary, across the Atlantic world. It offers diverse perspectives on the issues arising from cultural encounters occasioned, for example, by conquest, colonialism, exploration, exile, slavery, diaspora, urbanisation and economic migration.

The case studies are taken from a variety of media (including literature and film) and focus on themes such as alienation, belonging, assimilation, difference, cultural pluralism, borders and otherness. These will be considered in terms of their specific local and national relevance, as well as their transnational implications.

By approaching the subject of migration through its representation in literature and art, the module raises questions about the importance of influence, transmission and exchange in the analysis of national cultures. Its broad perspective on the world also provides the opportunity to consider the linguistic phenomena resulting from migration, including, for example, multilingualism and its manifestation in national literatures and other media.

By the end of the module, you will have had the opportunity to engage with the significant body of literary and artistic work across the Atlantic world that is rooted in the crucial question of migration; a body of work which continues to grow and is becoming increasingly diverse in the context of globalisation and heightened mobility.

By the end of the module, you will have achieved the following:

• A deep understanding of the formation of global cultures through flows and reciprocal exchanges between peoples.
• A thorough knowledge of the historical contexts and core themes that shape the experience and discussion of migration and immigration, developed through a range of source materials (including films, literature and discussion).
• The ability to think critically about the different methodologies used to analyse migration and interpret cultures, and to choose the most relevant one in a variety of cases.
•  The ability to critically analyse a diversity of cultural productions and to use theoretical frameworks to discuss their representation of themes of migration and immigration.
• The ability to interpret synthetically discourse on migration and immigration through juxtaposing the experiences and voices of migrants and host nations.
• The ability to apply knowledge gained about the historical experience of migration to contemporary debates and discussion.
• The ability to historicise and interpret the emergence of marginalising language and discourse surrounding immigration through the framework of the cases examined on the module.
• The ability to communicate more effectively and with cultural competence in a range of professional and interpersonal contexts.
• A structured awareness of the codes of ethics in research and behaviour associated with language and discussion on this topic.
• The ability to choose relevant and persuasive case studies in which to develop individual ideas.

The standard entry requirements comprise:

• A 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent,
• A CV and personal statement outlining your reasons for study,
• English language band C (for example, IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in reading & writing and 6.0 in listening & speaking).

You will be assessed through a 3,000 word assignment.

This module is taught online and you will be expected to attend live webinars as part of your programme of studies. In most cases, modules will have more than one webinar group, which will be scheduled at different times of the day so students can make reasonable efforts to attend the sessions from where they are based in the world. In some cases, however, modules might only have one webinar group available. The day and time of webinar sessions will be available in the Global Cultures Hub on KEATS upon enrolment and are normally scheduled on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. In the webinars you will have an opportunity to critically explore the module contents in more depth within small groups. These will be facilitated by your tutor and held via MS Teams. These 60-minute live sessions normally take place once a week and run throughout the six weeks of the teaching period. The sessions might include (but are not limited to) breakout rooms to discuss topics in smaller groups; open-floor discussion; presentations from students; debates; and close-reading analysis. The most important aspects of these sessions are interaction and participation. It is paramount that you prepare in advance and take an active role in these sessions. Webinars are not recorded. If you miss a session, you are encouraged to use the weekly forums to catch up on the discussion and get in touch with your study group. Module tutors will provide feedback on the forum posts where applicable and may offer slots during ‘office hours’ (availability may vary) to discuss specific queries.

This module is offered as part of our flexible master’s awards in Professional Development. The awards are one of the most flexible currently offered in the UK, providing the opportunity to study a range of modules from across King’s, both on-campus and online. Whether you are looking for a promotion or to retrain, you have come to the right place.

Designed for mature professionals juggling life and work commitments, our postgraduate awards will enable you to study at your own pace. In challenging financial times, you are also able to fund your studies module-by-module. We will support you to select the right module diet that meets your objectives while ensuring that you are well prepared for success. We will also help you to build your professional network of peers from across our suite of CPD modules.

We can’t wait for you to continue your lifelong learning journey here at King’s.