This is a film course that deals with the issue of the humanitarian crisis caused by migrations across the Balkans and Mediterranean, the two routes through which most of the economic migrants and refugees arrive from the Middle East and Sub Saharan Africa.

Reports of daily boat sinkings in the Mediterranean, deaths on the desert routes or by drug or terrorist gangs have led to a desensitization of the global audiences for the suffering of migrants and refugees. The course considers contemporary migrations in the dichotomy between a perception of migrants as an unidentified mass and individuals who are fleeing desperation or danger in their home countries.

In our discussions we will make connections between other foci of contemporary migrations (US, Australia), as well as several earlier periods of migratory processes towards the US, which may have contributed to the fact that we are all now sitting in a room and working together towards understanding the plight of others.

All readings are available in English. All films have English subtitles.

Course Requirements:

Active class participation, question for discussion on Canvas before each class meeting, a presentation of a selected project in place of a midterm exam, and a final 10-12-page paper.