Class: Economy, Part 2
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Class Notes
Immigration concepts to know: migration, emigrants, immigrants.
In general, people are moving from the least industrialized to the most industrialized countries for economic or political reasons.
At the border between Mexico and America, there are groups aiding the immigrants. Border Angels and Humane Borders are humanitarian groups who do not advocate illegally crossing the border, but provide water during the summer months, as well as supplies like clothing, blankets, and food during the winter. There are other groups opposing the immigrants, including the Minutemen. They employ political (fax-blasting politicians) and direct (armed members physically monitoring the borders) for anti-immigration tactics.
Connections to sociology: What are the illegal immigrants escaping from? How does this relate to the working poor? What about the Minutemen? Why do you think they stand for the position they do? How do you think this relates to the contact hypothesis or identity? Are second generation immigrants still seen as part of their other country or seen as American? How does the DREAM act differentiate the in-group and the out-group?
Required Reading:
"Immigrants are Ruining this Country," Ruane and Cerulo (Second Thoughts, pp. 231-244)
"To Die a Little: Migration and Coffee in Mexico and Central America," Navarro (Sociology Reader, pp. 326-337)
"Love and Gold," Hochschild (Sociology Reader, pp. 338-345)
Recommended Reading:
"Population Trends in the United States," Newman (Sociology, pp. 418-433)
Keywords: Migration, emigrants, immigrants, Border Angels, Humane Borders, Minutemen, working poor, contact hypothesis, identity, in-group, out-group, DREAM act.
