Performing Migration

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

In a world of securitized borders and higher walls, migration becomes easier for some and increasingly difficult, even dangerous, for others. There are certain performances expected of the migrant: visa interviews, airport compliances, gratitude for the host country — and performances carried out by the state: immigration quotas, enhanced security measures, bodily and technological surveillance — that make up the reality of modern migration. In this class, students will analyze migration stories and policy through an intersectional performance studies lens. We will explore questions of borders, nationalism, and security made real through performative acts. We will also consider the ethics of migratory representation and complexities of transitory borderlands identities. Through a combination of virtual classroom discussion, performance viewings, ethnographic research assignments, guest artist workshops, and creative projects, students will embark on a multidisciplinary journey to understand the social and political issues of modern migration.