Theories of Migration and Migrant Classifications Around the World

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Optional Background Information for Teacher: All of the following videolectures were originally presented at the University of Chicago 2011 University ofChicago Summer Teacher Institute, “Migration: Causes and Consequences.” Allvideos can be found at this link:http://cis.uchicago.edu/summerinstitute/2011/resources/• "Economic Effects of Immigration: Lessons from the Chicago LaborMarket,” presented by Virginia Parks, Ph.D., School of Social ServiceAdministration, University of Chicago.• "International Migration: Trends, Issues, and Future Prospects," presentedby Aaron Terrazas, Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Institute.• "Organizations, Scenes, and Local Contexts,” presented by Terry NicholsClark, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Chicago.• "Seeking Sanctuary: Asylum and the Politics of Compassion in Ireland,”presented by Anwen Tormey Dept. of Anthropology, University of Chicago.Activities and Procedures:1. If students are not familiar with the basic “Push/Pull Factor” explanation of themigratory process, briefly explain this theory and ask students to think about differentsituations in which this might be true. **For details, see step 5 in the “Migration 101”K-12 lesson at http://cis.uchicago.edu/summerinstitute/2011/resources/**• Push/Pull Factors: “Push” factors are things that drive people AWAY from aplace, while “Pull” factors are things that DRAW people IN to a place.2. (Pass out copies of “Theories of Migration” student worksheet. They will be takingnotes on the PowerPoint presentation on the brainmap.) For students who havealready discussed the “Push/Pull” process, simply review the definition and someexamples, which can be found on slide one of this lesson’s accompanying thePowerPoint presentation titled, “Migrant Classifications.”3. Ask students to think about whether the traditional “Push/Pull” model could possiblyhave any shortcomings. To prompt students, consider the following questions:• What does this definition tell you about the motivations of migrants? What doesit NOT tell you?o These are humans we are talking about—does this definition tell youanything about thoughts or feelings?• Are people always going to fall into just one of these categories? Or could it beboth push and pull at the same time?Center for International Studies -- Global Lessons, University of Chicago, 2011.http://cis.uchicago.edu/
o For example, someone may be “pushed” out of their homeland due toscarce job opportunities, while at the same time, they may be “pulled” outof their homeland toward a country with better opportunities.4. After students have discussed some of their own thinking, move on to slide 2 toreiterate some of the problems that modern migration scholars find with the push/pullexplanation.5. Explain to students that many theorists have attempted to improve upon thetraditional “push/pull” model in order to help researchers more fully understand migrantmotivations. Move on through the presentation to slides 4-7 to show students some ofthe different theories that exist. Ask them to think carefully about the advantages andshortcomings of all of these explanations:• To help guide your teaching narrative:o Slide 5: The neo-classical theory depends on the idea that we arealways going to choose what is in our best interest economically. Thinkabout it—if you were skilled in building space shuttles, would you want tolive in a country without a space program? More than likely, you would goto a place where your skills could actually be used and you would be paidwell for them. Can you think of any problems with the neo-classical theory?• It is based solely on economic factors, when people oftenmove for a number of other non-economic reasons• It ignores human attachment to a “home” and socialpreferences. People do not always want to move becausethe destination in question may not suit their social needs,despite this destination having more job opportunities.• Many people do not have the resources to move to moredeveloped economies and must stay in lower wage markets.o Slide 6: The Dual Labor Market Theory depends on the idea thatmigrants will ALWAYS be needed to fill the jobs that the native populationWILL NOT take. For example, many college-educated Americans wouldnot even look twice at a job that did not require an advanced degree, suchas a job in housecleaning. Yet, they understand that this job is necessaryto society, which creates a NEED for immigrants to fill those positions. Any problems with this theory?• In times of economic crisis (like right now in the U.S.), manyhighly-skilled people may be FORCED to take secondarysector jobs, diminishing the need for migrants.• It also has many of the same problems as the neo-classicaltheory, in that it is based solely on economics and ignoresother human needs.o Slide 7: World Systems Theory depends mainly on the complex idea ofglobalization—the world’s economy becoming more and more intertwined.This theory proposes that as business flows across national borders, sowill people.Center for International Studies -- Global Lessons, University of Chicago, 2011.http://cis.uchicago.edu/
Page 1: Looking Closer: Theories of Migrati
Page 5 and 6: 7. Move to slide 10. Research shows
Page 7 and 8: Migration Data from Around the Worl

Theories of Migration and Migrant Classifications Around the World

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