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Transnationalism in Contemporary Society

Transnationalism in Contemporary Society

This multidisciplinary course delves into the intricate realm of transnationalism, exploring its practices and strategies for intervention. Tailored for students specialising in organisational science, communication science, sociology, political science, public administration, anthropology, and related social science majors, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of transnational phenomena. Through a comparative lens, it examines transnationalism while differentiating it from the broader concept of globalisation. The course aims to equip students with the tools to identify, analyse, and address contemporary transnational challenges.

Course description

Throughout this course, students will engage in an in-depth analysis of transnational mobility, transnational care, and transnational organisational governance. The focus extends beyond observation, highlighting potential complexities and challenges inherent in transnational practices, particularly within multilevel governance structures, such as those evident within the European Union.

Conceptual Framework & Analytical Tools: Drawing upon seminal works by scholars like Basch et al. (1994) and Vertovec (1999), the course unveils the multifaceted nature of transnationalism. It explores transnationalism as a social morphology, a mode of cultural reproduction, and a site of political engagement. Furthermore, it examines the interplay between transnationalism and various disciplines, illustrating its relevance not only in academic discourse but also in policymaking, international media, and corporate spheres.

In addition to theoretical exploration, students will be introduced to analytical frameworks such as the Governance Analytical Framework (GAF) and Coleman's Boat for social mechanism exploration. These frameworks serve as invaluable tools, enabling students to dissect complex social problems and unveil underlying mechanisms. The application of these analytical approaches aims to demystify intricate social phenomena, providing students with transferable skills beneficial for future social science studies and research endeavours.

Continue reading below for more information on course topics, assessment and more!

About this course

Course level

  • Master / PhD

Credits

  • 3 ECTS

Contact hours

  • 45

Language

  • English

Tuition fee

  • €735 - €1310

Additional course information

  • Forms of tuition and assessment

    Forms of tuition

    The course comprises two main components: lectures and collaborative workgroups. Initially, through introductory lectures, students will delve into various themes surrounding global challenges, particularly within the realms of labour and care, arising from or exacerbated by transnational activities. These sessions lay the groundwork for exploration.

    Subsequently, in the collaborative workgroups, students will engage in joint exercises aimed at identifying, dissecting, and analysing these challenges. Their collective objective is to craft multidisciplinary intervention strategies to effectively address these multifaceted issues.

    At the culmination of the programme, students will present their group findings, consolidating their collective insights and proposed interventions. This final presentation serves as a platform to disseminate comprehensive solutions derived from their collaborative efforts.

    Learning Approach: The course adopts a collaborative learning model, encouraging students to work in interdisciplinary groups. Through guided discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, students will explore real-world transnational problems. This approach aims to foster critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by transnational activities.

    Workgroups

    The workgroup's central theme revolves around the intricate issue of transnational mobility and care, a complex challenge exacerbated by the widespread embrace of globalisation and internationalisation. The increasing ease, streamlined procedures, and reduced costs associated with both short and long-term mobility have significantly influenced societal dynamics. Particularly within the EU, the entitlement to freedom of movement for EU citizens has spurred a heightened inclination towards exploring improved economic opportunities while sustaining transnational social ties, leading to a burgeoning transnational social life. 

    This lifestyle has brought to the forefront a myriad of interconnected challenges relating to the management of social citizenship, economic integration, social protection, and welfare planning. The intricate multilevel governance structure within the EU further complicates the governance of transnational mobility and associated care issues. The pertinent question of effectively addressing the social trilemma—balancing generous welfare, sustained social protection, and pursuing economic integration—or the Magic Triangle—facilitating social policies while allowing regional autonomy within a multilevel governance system—remains an enigma. Both paradigms highlight the impracticality of a 'one-size-fits-all' policy approach. 

    This course offers students an opportunity to delve deeper into the nuanced social problems stemming from these governance conflicts. Through meticulous examination, students will collaboratively unearth potential network governance models or intervention strategies aided by specific analytical frameworks. Finally, students will be required to craft a paper delving into the identified problem, synthesising their insights and proposed solutions. 

    Forms of assessment

    Within the workgroups, students will collaboratively undertake a comprehensive multidisciplinary paper, delving into diverse facets and potential solutions of transnational problem governance. The prescribed word limit for the paper ranges between 2,400 to a maximum of 3,000 words, excluding references and the cover sheet. The final paper structure encompasses: 

    Cover Sheet: A succinct page featuring the title, names of contributors, and corresponding student numbers. 

    Introduction: A comprehensive overview introducing the concept of transnational social problems alongside a well-defined research question, encapsulated within a concise one-page framework. 

    Disciplinary Perspectives: Comprising a minimum of three sections, each scrutinising the research question from the vantage point of distinct disciplines. Emphasis lies in exploring varied disciplinary perspectives, elucidating their distinct emphases and explanatory approaches. It's noteworthy that these disciplinary representations need not directly mirror the composition of the group, encompassing approximately three pages. 

    Conclusion: A reflective conclusion spanning approximately two pages, centred on a thoughtful analysis of disparities and convergences amidst diverse disciplines in terms of theories and methodologies. This section aims to contemplate the feasibility of integrating or reconciling these theories and methods or discerning potential conflicts among them. 

    References: A meticulously compiled reference section encompassing a minimum of 10 credible sources, ensuring comprehensive academic grounding. 

  • Lecture and workgroup topics

    Detailed Lecture & Workgroup Arrangement:

    The lectures will primarily centre on transnational issues and methodologies, incorporating detailed case analyses to illustrate concepts. Concurrently, the workgroup sessions will introduce diverse analytical frameworks, aiming to bolster students' analytical prowess and problem-solving capabilities.

    Lecture 1: Introduction to the Course: Interdisciplinary Connection of Transnationalism Study

    • Theoretical, conceptual, and practical comparison between transnationalism and globalisation

    • Current debates and new perspectives

    Lecture 2: Transnational Labour Market & Transnational Mobility ——New Social Citizenship

    Workgroup 1: From methodological nationalism to methodological individualism

    Lecture 3: Transnational Families, Care, and Solidarity

    Lecture 4: Demarcation of Transnational Social and Cultural Space

    With reference and case studies of the multilevel governance structure in the EU

    Workgroup 2: Understanding Governance Analytical Framework

    Lecture 5: Transforming Governance Beyond Borders

    • Looking into EU’s Open Strategic Autonomy (OSA)

    • Systematic Mapping of Potential Synergies

    • Capacity-Building for Enhanced Strategic Cooperation

    Lecture 6: Media and Governance

    Workgroup 3: Developing Multidisciplinary Intervention Plan

    Workgroup 4: Feedback on group papers and final presentation

  • Learning objectives

    1) Grasp Multidisciplinary Perspectives: Develop an extensive understanding of transnationalism theories within Sociology, Organisation Sciences, Political Science and Public Administration, Anthropology, Communication Science, and Human Geography, fostering a comprehensive grasp of diverse disciplinary viewpoints.

    2) Discern Transnational Dynamics: Distinguish between globalisation, internationalisation, and transnationalism, critically examining their differences and implications across various social science disciplines.

    3) Analyse Transnational Problems: Identify and analyse social phenomena or issues linked to transnational practices using the Governance Analytical Framework (GAF), dissecting problems through problem definition, actors, norms, nodal points, and processes.

    4) Utilise Analytical Frameworks: Apply the Governance Analytical Framework (GAF) and Social Mechanism (Coleman’s Boat) to dissect complex transnational problems like elderly care for transnational labourers in the EU, uncovering the intricate mechanisms behind identified challenges.

    5) Develop Innovative Interventions: Evaluate prior problem-solving approaches, fostering critical thinking, and devise innovative multidisciplinary interventions collaboratively with peers to effectively address challenges associated with transnationalism.

    6) Cultivate Interdisciplinary Thinking: Foster interdisciplinary thinking and scientific reasoning, encouraging problem analysis and intervention in cooperation with peers from various disciplines, promoting an integrated approach to tackling transnational issues.

    7) Integrate Levels of Analysis: Explore the interaction between individual, organisational, and institutional levels, examining how media and policies facilitate social interventions within transnational contexts, highlighting interconnectedness across multiple societal levels.

  • Preliminary syllabus

    Here you are able to download the preliminary syllabus for the 2024 summer course.

    *Note that it is preliminary and that it still might be subject to change.

  • About the course coordinator

    Wenhui Ding is an international scholar specialising in multilevel governance research in the European Union and China. She has a multidisciplinary background in journalism, psychology, global migration, and public administration studies, having received her education from esteemed institutions such as Peking University, University College London, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Her expertise in research methods includes both qualitative and quantitative approaches, such as discourse analysis, interviews, questionnaires, framework analysis, secondary data analysis, and more.

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