Professor: Yalda Asmatey
4 credits
This interdisciplinary colloquium offers an in-depth exploration of the historical and contemporary experiences of immigrants and refugees in Oregon. Drawing from history, sociology, ethnic studies, political science, and law, the course examines how migration, resettlement, and belonging have been shaped by public policy, institutional frameworks, and broader social forces.
Through the analysis of historical records, legal texts, oral histories, and/or community narratives, students will critically engage with the intersections of race, class, gender, citizenship, and power. The course pays particular attention to how local and national immigration policies impact individuals and communities, and how immigrants and refugees navigate and contest these structures in everyday life.
Students will help facilitate the learning environment by developing and presenting case studies that explore specific issues, communities, or legal and policy challenges related to immigration and refugee resettlement in Oregon. These student-led case studies encourage peer-to-peer learning, critical inquiry, and collaborative engagement with course themes.
In addition to academic study, students will work with a local nonprofit organization to enhance and support the services provided to newly arrived refugees and immigrants in our community. This service-learning component allows students to connect theoretical concepts with real-world applications, deepening their understanding through meaningful, community-based work.
Graduation Requirement: This class will fulfill a Social Science Colloquium and the US: Difference, Inequality, Agency (US) cultural literacy requirement. If the student has already taken a Social Science Colloquium, this class will fulfill both of the following requirements: an Elective Colloquium and the US: Difference, Inequality, Agency (US) cultural literacy requirement.