Interculture and Migration: Identity, Borders, and Belonging Study in Florence Program Spring 2025 Semester - Florence

Migration is a profoundly human experience, as people have always moved from one place in the world to settle in another, with the same longings and aspirations for a better life for themselves and their families. In this course, we will examine the complexities of migration through the lens of identity, borders, and belonging and explore questions such as: Why do people migrate? What are borders, both political and psychological? Who decides who "belongs" and based on what criteria? Who is welcomed and who is not, and why? What are the parallels, intersections, and distinctions regarding migration in Italy and in the US? What are the current and historical debates about migration? How do long-standing narratives of race, culture, and national identity contribute to fear, prejudice, racism, and xenophobia? What does integration and intercultural engagement look like? And ultimately, who is "Italian"? Through lectures, readings, films, reflective assignments, and experiential exercises, we will engage together in this interactive class to expand our awareness, build our content knowledge, and develop communication skills to discuss these powerful, poignant, and pressing current issues of human rights and dignity.