Module SSI3002 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SSI3002: Immigration in Western Societies
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the study of ethnic minorities in Western countries based on the analysis of quantitative data, and to provide you with analytical tools required to reach evidence-based conclusions about immigrants and immigration in a comparative perspective. Knowledge of immigration in Europe and practical skills of data analysis are required in various fields, such as policy making, media, business, and the academia.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate detailed knowledge of main theoretical concepts and empirical findings in the study of ethnic minorities and immigrants; 2. correctly interpret results of quantitative studies of ethnic minorities and immigrants published in academic journals that applied a range of statistical techniques; |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. independently conduct simple descriptive analysis of quantitative data using a range of toolss (means, frequency tables, some statistical graphs, correlation coefficients, etc.); 4. assess strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research designs in social sciences at the intermediate level; |
| Personal and Key Skills | 5. effectively communicate results of independent research in written form to the deadline; 6. actively participate in class discussions providing structured arguments; 7. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics.
The lectures provide a general discussion of major theoretical and empirical issues in the study of immigrants/ethnic minorities. We will discuss immigration in a comparative perspective, but the main focus will be on the UK.
- Brief history of immigration in the 20th century. 'Push' and 'pull' factors affecting immigration.
- Ethnic minorities in the labour market. Discrimination. - The second generation of immigrants in the educational system and labour market. ‘Segmented assimilation’.
- Immigrants and ethnic minorities in the political system.
- Public attitudes to immigrants and immigration.
- Immigration policy.
- Computer lab sessions introduce students to survey data analysis with R, covering the following topics:
- Measurement and data sets. Variables and observations. Measurement scales.
- Distributions. Mean, median, variance. Frequency tables.
- Data visualisation.
- Contingency tables.
- Statistical inference.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27.5 | 122.5 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 16.5 | 11 x lectures of 1.5 hours |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 11 | 11 x 1 hour computer lab sessions |
| Guided independent study | 33 | 11 x 3 hour course readings and assignments for seminars and lab sessions |
| Guided independent study | 89.5 | Independent reading and research for essays; writing essays |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
