(in Polish) Borders, Borderscapes, Boundary-Making: Evolving Approaches to Studies of Borders 3700-ISSC-BBBM-MON
Ideas about borders are commonly understood to have emerged from nineteenth century European state-centric notions of geographically defined governable spatial units; however with the emergence of the interdisciplinary field of border studies, ideas about borders and bordering practices have evolved significantly into a vast conceptual landscape that not only enables more nuanced understanding of how bordering and boundary-making work in a globalized world, but that also help grasp how the individual subject is both subjected to and implicated in bordering and boundary-making processes. Today, borders and bordering practices are understood not only in relation to physical space, but also as (in)visible processes that impact on relations and our experiences of the material world and our place in it. Throughout this course, students will have the opportunity to explore a range of concepts and approaches that facilitate the study and understanding of borders and bordering practices, and how power operates through them.
The course content is grouped around three overarching philosophical developments in thinking about borders and bordering, and related methodological approaches:
(1) ideas that grounded the formation of the discipline of border studies;
(2) developments that emerged as critical perspectives on border studies, especially through the concept of “borderscapes” (Brambilla 2015; Cooper 2007);
(3) developments inspired by decolonial thinking, such as the concept of “border thinking” (Mignolo 2000; Grosfoguel 2006; Alcoff 2007):
Rather than looking at specific cases of borderlands, the course will be driven by an exploration of the shifting perspectives on and the philosophical evolution in the categories, concepts and methodologies that are available to us when thinking about borders and bordering. Case studies from a range of borderland contexts will help ground the study over the duration of the course.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student will have gained and/or developed the following knowledge, skills and competences:
a. Knowledge:
- Understands the relationships between various dimensions of social change or social experience, especially with regard to migration, modernity and diversity. (K_W02)
- Knows advanced methods of analysis and interpretation used in research in the social sciences and the humanities. (K_W08)
- Understands the value of an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing and interpreting social phenomenon and change in the modern world, especially in relation to migration. (K_W06)
- Is aware of concepts and terms used in the humanities and social sciences in order to depict and discuss complex social phenomena, such as migration and social diversity, as well as the debates within and between individual disciplines in the study of these phenomena. (K_W05)
b. Skills:
- Ability to select and make a critical assessment of information drawn from various sources, including from primary and secondary sources. (K_U01)
- Ability to apply a range of methods and theoretical tools in order to analyze complex social and cultural phenomena. (K_U04)
- Ability to prepare clearly structured and convincingly argued oral presentations that account for multiple perspectives on a given topic and a make compelling case for a particular view or approach. (K_U01), (K_U06)
- Ability to interpret and explain complex social processes and phenomena through a range of theoretical frameworks, lenses and perspectives. (K_U03)
- Ability to discuss and write about complex academic issues in English at B2+ level (K_U09)
c. Social competences:
- Uphold and develop ethical principles in academic and professional relationships, including those concerning the use of sources in academic work and copyright regulations. (K_K05)
- Initiate and engage in teamwork for the benefit of the social environment and promote the principles of tolerance based on an understanding of cultural differences. (K_K02)
- Critically evaluate their own knowledge and explore new research methods. (K_K03)
Assessment criteria
Class participation - 20%
Class presentation – 30%
Essay – 50 %
Absences:
Permissible absences (on condition that they are substantiated): 3
More than 3 absences require individual consultation and risk failing to receive credits.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: