ML2MGW: Migration in a Globalised World: Challenges and Futures

Module code: ML2MGW

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Federico Faloppa, email: f.faloppa@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 26 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Migration phenomena in the 21st century will be introduced from an interdisciplinary perspective via a wide range of topics such as migration history and discourse, cultural and political contexts of countries of origin and destination, post-colonial studies, migration trajectories into and within Europe, drivers of human mobility, migration policies and human rights, social change and globalisation, climate change and mobility.. This module provides students with an opportunity to relate their specialism to the broader issues that characterise the global migration experience and our understanding of it. It will also introduce them to key migration/mobility-related terminology and concepts,  enabling them to better understand human mobility, the role of internal and international migration in economic and political processes, and the cultural dilemmas and challenges facing host countries. It will also offer an overview of the major debates and literature on contemporary migration from different disciplinary perspectives in humanities and social sciences.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, theories, and terminology in migration studies, understanding of  the social, political, cultural, and economic drivers of human mobility, and be able to explain the historical and contemporary patterns of global migration
2. Critically analyse migration policies, discourses, and representations, reflect critically on ethical and societal questions related to migration, applying  interdisciplinary approaches to the study of migration and evaluating competing academic and policy perspectives on migration.
3. Communicate complex migration-related issues clearly in written and oral formats.
4. Conduct independent research using academic and policy sources.

Module content

The module will introduce students to migration in the 21st century through an interdisciplinary approach. Indicative topics may include:  Key concepts and terminology in migration and mobility studies; Historical perspectives on migration; Migration and globalisation; Drivers of human mobility: conflict, inequality, labour markets; Migration discourse and media representations; Postcolonial perspectives on migration; Migration to and within Europe; Internal migration in Europe; Migration, borders, and citizenship; Migration policy and human rights; Refugees and asylum systems and legislation; Climate change and ‘environmental migration’; Migration and social and cultural change; Migration and healthcare; Diasporas and second/third generations; Migration narratives in literature, film, and media; Language, multilingualism, and migration. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and interactive workshops involving policy analysis, media analysis, and debates. Depending on availability and resources, guest speakers (e.g., representatives from NGOs, policymakers, and community organisations) may also be invited. Prior to each class, students will be assigned a short reading task. During sessions, students will be encouraged to actively participate in discussions and to share their responses to the task and their ideas in pairs, small groups, or in plenary.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs