Why Do People Migrate? Theories

Move beyond the headlines about migration

In this course, you will learn about different theoretical models that seek to explain why migration starts and why it continues. You will explore migration as a structural feature of our societies and examine individual’s choices to migrate. You will consider the role networks and institutions play in the movement of people. You will also hear from international experts about how migration theories can help us understand cases of labour migration in different world regions.

This course is for anyone interested in learning about migration.

• Migration as a global phenomenon
• Welcome to the course
• History of migration as a global phenomenon
• Global migrations in the contemporary era
• Wrap up of week 1
• Explaining the start, the continuation and the completion of migration
• Why does migration start?
• Why does migration continue?
• Return and migration cycles
• Wrap up of week 2
• Theories at work: migration case studies
• African migrants and remittances
• Care and domestic workers in Italy
• Indians in the Gulf region
• Assess your knowledge
• Wrap up of week 3