GEOG3112 Geographies of Migration

Migration is a central feature of human existence and key to understanding human geography. This topic introduces students to concepts, theories, and contemporary issues of migration, and migration’s fundamental links with globalization, development, social justice, conflict and security. Through the lens of human geography, students will examine the patterns, causes, and consequences of migration and its complex, multiscalar effects on economy, politics, culture, and demography. Students will explore various case studies of migration including rural – urban migration, international migration, temporary and cyclical labour mobility, refugees and forced migration. The consequences of migration and settlement in shaping the ways that places are organised, valued and imagined will be examined by way of student-led empirical research.

This topic aims to provide students with:

• An introduction to key human geography concepts fundamental to understanding migration at a range of scales
• An awareness of contemporary debates and developments in the field of human migration
• Opportunities to develop the capability to analyse social characteristics of places shaped by migration
• Techniques and transferrable skills including: empirical research; geographical data literacy; oral, written and graphic communication skills; and negotiation and leadership skills associated with group work

1. Analyse human geography concepts to explain human migration at a range of scales
2. Interpret relevant data to define social characteristics of migration
3. Critique contemporary debates in human geographies of migration using their acquired knowledge
4. Justify perspectives on migration through effective communication in accordance with good scholarly practice using oral, written and graphical formats