Who Belongs? Immigration and the Making of America

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Who belongs in America and who gets to decide? This course examines immigration as a central force shaping U.S. history, politics, and everyday life. We will explore how debates over borders, citizenship, legality, and national identity have evolved over time, and how immigration has been tied to issues such as race, ethnicity, labor, security, and ideas of deservingness. Moving from the 19th century to the present, the course investigates the institutions and narratives that produce “immigrants” as a category, and the consequences of inclusion and exclusion for individuals, communities, and the nation. Students will engage with sociological research, historical cases, policy debates, and contemporary controversies to better understand why immigration remains one of the most divisive issues in American public life.