EXP 1115 - Immigration and what it Means to Belong

Credits: 3

Explorations Courses focus on enduring questions. Enduring questions do not have easy answers; instead, they encourage examination of complex issues from multiple perspectives, introspection, evidence-based arguments, and learning how to respectfully discuss controversial and difficult topics. Each Explorations Course examines a unique enduring question. All Explorations Courses focus on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as civic and community engagement. Students will also examine the Merrimack Connections curriculum. This course satisfies the Diversity Requirement in the Liberal Studies Core.

Who belongs? What does it mean to belong? Who decides who belongs and who doesn’t? These are important questions that all of us will have to deal with at some point in our lives - perhaps as you make your transition into life as a Merrimack College student. In sociology we often study in-groups and out-groups, the idea of who is “us” and who is “them”, and how one goes from being one of “them” to becoming one of “us”. These cultural boundaries are central to what sociologists do and are perfectly demonstrated with the topic of immigration. This process involves members of one culture/society (“them”) settling permanently in a different culture/society (“us”). What would it mean for immigrants to belong in the new society? Is there more than one way that belonging can happen? Is belonging something immigrants want? Why do citizens sometimes reject the idea of immigrants belonging in their society? There is a ton to explore here and we will do so using the tools of a sociologist. At the same time, immigration is one of the most interdisciplinary topics that you’ll find, so we will also be delving into history, law, international relations, psychology, politics, and many other fields.