Prerequisits:

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. Basic knowledge of social science and humanities theories and research methods, especially in migration studies, is recommended.

Content (Syllabus outline):

• Definition of the concept Transnational Social Protection

(welfare state, social policy, categories of social protection, transnationalism, positioning the concept within migration studies)

• Actors in Social Protection

(the state, the market, the family, the third sector)

• The Role and Importance of the Diaspora in Providing Social Protection

(diaspora policies, transnationalisation of social and welfare regimes, remittances)

• Areas of Transnational Social Protection

(social care and the emergence of global care chains in childcare and eldercare, healthcare, care for people with disabilities, protection in cases of unemployment and loss of income, poverty alleviation, social protection of migrant workers)

Analysis of Selected Case Studies

Readings:

• Bryceson, D. F. (2019). Transnational families negotiating migration and care life cycles across nation-state borders. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 45(16), 3042–3064, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330143383_Transnational_families_negotiating_migration_and_care_life_cycles_across_nation-state_borders
• De Wispelaere, F. (2023). Transnational social protection in the EU from a statistical point of view. In: Vah Jevšnik, M. and Toplak, K. (eds.) Further Discussions on Labour Mobility in the EU, Založba ZRC, https://omp.zrc-sazu.si/zalozba/catalog/view/2084/8552/2202
• Gray, B., & Levitt, P. (2020). Social welfare versus transnational social protection regimes: the changing roles of church and state. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 48(11), 2721–2739, https://researchrepository.ul.ie/server/api/core/bitstreams/9faff8f8-ff7f-477c-a751-b91315a12089/content
• Hagen-Zanker, Jessica and Siegel, Melissa (2007), The Determinants of Remittances: A Review of the Literature. MGSoG Working Paper No. 003, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1095719
• Lafleur, J. M., & Yener‐Roderburg, I. Ö. (2022). Emigration and the Transnationalization of Sending States’ Welfare Regimes. Social Inclusion, 10(1), 174-183, https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/4701/2574
• Lafleur, J. M., & Vintila, D. (2020). Migration and social protection in Europe and beyond (volume 1): Comparing access to welfare entitlements (p. 435). Springer Nature, https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-51241-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Lafleur, J. M., & Vintila, D. (2020). Migration and social protection in Europe and beyond (volume 3): A focus on non-EU sending states (p. 452). Springer Nature, https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-51237-8?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Levitt, P., Viterna, J., Mueller, A., & Lloyd, C. (2017). Transnational social protection: Setting the agenda. Oxford Development Studies, 45(1), 2-19, https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/viterna/files/levitt_et_al_2017_tsp.pdf
• Levitt, P., Dobbs, E., Sun, K. C. Y., & Paul, R. (2023). Transnational social protection: Social welfare across national borders. Oxford University Press, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365292603_Transnational_Social_Protection_Social_Welfare_Across_National_Borders
• Zhao, Y., Huang, Y. (2021). The Mobility of the Elderly and Family-Based Care: A Case Study of Chinese Migrant (Grand)Parents. In: Ryndyk, O., Suter, B., Odden, G. (eds) Migration to and from Welfare States. IMISCOE Research Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67615-5_2

Objectives and competences:

The course addresses the complexity and diversity of the phenomenon of transnationalization of social protection in the context of migration and analyses the emergence of a hybrid transnational welfare regime, whose actors can include the state (immigration and/or emigration), the market, the family, and/or the third sector. It provides insight into strategies for ensuring social security in migration contexts across various fields and levels.

Upon completion of the course, students will:

• understand the concept and significance of the transnationalization of social protection
• be able to identify and analyse the actors and forms of social protection in diverse contexts
• understand and critically assess the strategies through which migrants and non-mobile individuals combine multiple sources of social protection
• be familiar with the basic functioning of welfare state regimes both within and beyond national borders
• understand the role of the market, transnational families, and civil society in providing social protection in the context of migration
• be able to identify and analyse the hybrid nature of transnational social protection through concrete examples

Intended learning outcomes:

• Understanding and explanation of key concepts and theories
• Ability to critically analyse academic and non-academic sources of information
• Ability to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world cases
• Ability to evaluate different perspectives and construct evidence-based arguments
• Conducting independent research using appropriate methods
• Participation in group discussions and effective presentation of one’s own arguments

Learning and teaching methods:

Types of learning/teaching:

• Frontal teaching
• Work in smaller groups or pair work
• Independent students work
• e-learning

Teaching methods:

• Explanation
• Conversation/discussion/debate
• Work with texts
• Case studies
• Different presentation

Assessment:

• Long written assignments 80 %
• Presentations 20 %

Lecturers’ references:

• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca, Cukut Krilić, Sanja (2020). Diaspora policies, consular services and social protection for Slovenian citizens abroad. In: LAFLEUR, Jean-Michel (ed), VINTILA, Daniela (ed). Migration and social protection in Europe and beyond. Vol. 2, Comparing consular services and diaspora policies. Cham: Springer, pp. 441-456, IMISCOE research series, https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-51245-3_26
• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca (2024). Navigating integration and emotional distress during vulnerable stages of life. Dve domovini : razprave o izseljenstvu, 60, pp. 49-68, http://twohomelands.zrc-sazu.si/uploads/articles/1722446238_TSA003_Vah%20Jev%C5%A1nik.pdf
• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca, Cukut Krilić, Sanja (2023). A perfect storm : demographic ageing, severe healthcare staff stortages, and globalisation of healthcare labour markets. In: VAH JEVŠNIK, Mojca (ed), TOPLAK, Kristina (ed). Further discussions on labour mobility in the EU. 1st ed. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, pp. 59-77, https://omp.zrc-sazu.si/zalozba/catalog/view/2084/8552/2202
• Vah Jevšnik, Mojca (2021). Welfare considerations underpinning healthcare workers’ decision about migration. In: RYNDYK, Oleksandr (ed), SUTER, Brigitte (ed), ODDEN, Gunhild (ed). Migration to and from welfare states : lived experiences of the welfare-migration nexus in a globalised world. Cham: Springer, pp. 123-141. IMISCOE research series, https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-67615-5
• Vah Jevšnik, M., Toplak, K. (eds) (2023). Further Discussions on Labour Mobility in the EU. 1st ed., Založba ZRC, https://omp.zrc-sazu.si/zalozba/catalog/view/2084/8552/2202