Theories of Citizenship, Civil Society and Integration
7,5 ECTS
Information
Course leaders: Gabriella Elgenius
Duration: 14 April-23 May 2025; On-campus week in Gothenburg, 5-9 May, 2025
Location: Online and University of Gothenburg
Language: English
Study pace: 100%
Course Lecturers
Gabriella Elgenius, Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg, Course Director.
Kerstin Jacobsson, Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg.
Juta Kawalerowicz, Senior Lecturer, Department of Human Geography, University of Stockholm.
Anders Neergard, Professor of Sociology, Division of Migration, Ethnicity and Society, REMESO, Linköping University.
Jenny Phillimore, Professor of Migration and Superdiversity, Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham.
Peter Scholten, Professor of Migration and Diversity Policy, Director of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus research centre on the Governance of Migration and Diversity, Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Course Description
The course surveys and examines key theoretical debates around citizenship, integration, and civil society. Citizenship rights vary, with tensions arising between formal rights, the structures that grant or deny these rights, and substantial rights related to security, prejudice, and enforcement mechanisms. We analyse post-national, supranational, cosmopolitan, and transnational citizenship models, which go beyond and below the nation-state level, as well as models of integration.
Integration, a much-critiqued concept, is used to describe processes of inclusion, participation, and incorporation, often referring to minoritized populations such as migrants, refugees, and their descendants. It is increasingly contingent on demonstrating indicators of integration, such as employment or language proficiency and is closely related to citizenship. We also analyse governance models of incorporation at supranational, national, and local levels. The course problematises and analyses different perspectives and models of citizenship, integration, and incorporation, highlighting their exclusive and inclusive features. In so doing, it emphasises intersections between migration, class, ethnicity, gender, and racialisation.
Theories and perspectives are also examined in relation to the voluntary non-profit sector or civil society, exploring how civil society works to expand rights, compensate for welfare state shortcomings, and address exclusionary mechanisms. International and comparative case studies are used to explore the action-oriented nature of civil society in conditions of socioeconomic challenge and diversity. We examine theories of social capital and associated claims, the roles of various actors, their actions, activities, innovations, and ways of working to enhance opportunities and mitigate challenges.
How to Apply
This course is not yet open for applications.
Contact
For further information contact the course leader: Gabriella Elgenius
About the Graduate School in Migration and Integration
- Our Graduate School courses are offered to PhD students.
- 5 weeks of full-time work for 7,5 ECTS. One intensive week at REMESO, Campus Norrköping, Linköping University or at SOCAV & CGM, University of Gothenburg.
- All courses are taught in English.
- Courses are usually examined by a paper assignment.
- Accommodation is provided for free to all PhD students who are admitted to our courses.
