2023-24 Academic Catalog

Why do people migrate? Is there an East Asian pattern of migration that distinguishes itself from Euro-American ones? This course examines many faces of migration (voluntary to forced; downward to upward) across maritime frontiers evolving from the fifteenth century to the present. It explores various dynamics of on-the-spot human encounters in both sending and receiving societies. Topics include migratory networks, niche economies, colonial mapping and settlements, gendered frontiers, redefinition of health and hygiene, opium regimes, and conflicts and collaboration. Students will have hands-on experience in working with many different kinds of evidence and learning about the process of writing histories.