Migration Studies and New Societies, full-time, second degree (S2-PRK-MSNS)

Responsible units: Faculty of "Artes Liberales" together with the Centre of Migration Research of the University of Warsaw and within the 4EU+ alliance: Department of International, Legal, Historical and Political Studies of the University of Milan and Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University in Prague

The Migration Studies and New Societies (MSNS) programme is a unique educational offer in the interdisciplinary field of migration studies. The study programme focuses primarily on the social sciences (with an emphasis on sociological sciences - including social anthropology, political and administrative sciences - including public policy and legal sciences) and the humanities (cultural and religious sciences, ethnology and cultural anthropology).

MSNS has been designed as a joint programme, co-developed and carried out by the Department of International, Legal, Historical and Political Studies of the University of Milan (Dipartimento di Studi Internazionali, Giuridici e Storico - Politici, Università degli Studi di Milano), the Faculty of 'Artes Liberales' of the University of Warsaw together with the Centre of Migration Research of the University of Warsaw, and the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University in Prague (Fakulta sociálních věd Univerzity Karlovy v Praze). Thus the study programme has an international dimension through the involvement of academic staff from these units in the teaching within the proposed studies. In addition, the international dimension is incorporated into the study plan, as during the course of study, students rotate between Milan (study semester I), Warsaw (study semester II), and Prague (study semester III). The place of study in semester IV is chosen by the students in order to conduct and write their thesis (and carry out the necessary research), the choice is also determined by the location of their work placement or field research.

The international dimension of the study programme is confirmed by a joint diploma issued by three universities.

The study programme prepares experts in the field of migration studies within three specialisation tracks:

1. International Migration and Politics
2. Civil Society and Integration
3. Social Anthropology of Space and Mobility

Pathways have been created to make it easier for students to choose optional subjects. This applies to one subject in semester II, and 3, or 4 subjects in semester III. The learning outcomes remain the same and common to all students, regardless of the choice of track.

Types of activities:

• seminars;
• lectures, lectures with workshop elements, lectures with elements of conversation;
• workshops;
• exercises;
• apprenticeships.

Graduate profile

The study path “International Migration and Politics” includes a set of subjects teaching cognitive and methodological tools to study the dynamics of migration phenomena (flows, states, structural features of migration, trajectories and strategies of migration), migrants’ representation and mobility narratives (in the media or in the literature), enabling an understanding of the policies created in Europe to manage immigration. In this way, students gain competence in understanding and interpreting international migration, its causes, challenges and opportunities.

The aim of the subjects taught in this specialization is:

1. training well-prepared professionals capable of contributing to the development and implementation of public policies on migration, acceptance and integration of immigrants (these competences are required in European countries and international institutions, as well as in public administrations at ministerial, regional and local levels);
2. both methodological and communication skills trainings, which will enable to study and analyse the phenomenon of migration in a conscious, correct and effective manner (this type of preparation will be essential for graduates who wish to continue their education in third-cycle studies).

In the “Civil Society and Integration” pathway, students acquire the skills and knowledge needed to work with migrants and migrant communities, especially in the context of business, public benefit or non-profit organisations that work in the field of reception, integration and support of migrants (education, public services, labour market, etc.). The proposed pathway provides students with comprehensive interdisciplinary skills, including legal, sociological, linguistic and anthropological competences, thus preparing graduates for multidimensional work related to the reception of migrants and working in an ethnically and culturally diverse society. With the skills acquired during the course of study, the student will be able to face both the first phase of accepting migrants (i.e. support in submitting an application for protection) and also learn about the following phases aimed at integration, applying for a work permit, support in accessing services (medical or social care) or finding accommodation for migrants. All of the above described competences can be used in business, administration and NGOs as well as in academic careers.

The “Social Anthropology of Space and Mobility" pathway allows students to explore the ways in which people, places and things become part of diverse networks and connections, variously located in time and space. The premise of this track is based on the critical debate around the so-called “turn to mobility” in social theory, which has developed in response to the growing importance of various forms of movement. The anthropology of space and mobility explores ways of theoretical capturing why and how people travel. The programme is further enriched by the anthropology of objects and the anthropology of ideas, which view social phenomena through the lens of movement, for example the urbanisation and urban-rural flows, the debate on sedentarist theory and trends of deterritorialisation in the social sciences, which can constrain both researchers and their object(s) of study. Mobility indicates that our life world is in constant motion and there are not only people, but also cultures, objects, capital, companies, services, diseases, media, images, information and ideas. These aspects will deepen the knowledge regarding migration and will be of crucial importance especially for graduates interested in future research work, but also for those who will try their hand in the media industry or international organisations.