This class deals with the inter-relationships between economic development and migration. After introducing the basic concepts of poverty and inequality, between as well as within countries, this course focuses on the role that migration and population growth play in the process of economic development. The causes of migration and its consequences are examined at national and international levels together with their policy implications, including those related to urbanization, brain drain, and labor market impacts of immigration. A range of migration forms is discussed, including international and internal migration, permanent and temporary migration, legal and illegal migration, as well as forced migration and refugees. 3 undergraduate hours
Prerequisites (Must be complete BEFORE taking this course):
ECON 102 (Microeconomic Principles)
ECON 103 (Macroeconomic Principles)
MATH 220 or MATH 221 (Calculus 1)
ECON 302 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory)
Faculty Teaching the Course:
This course is taught by the below faculty ~ you may click on their name to view their website with additional information. Please check the Course Explorer or Enterprise/Self-Service to see what section they will be teaching (teaching schedules vary by semester).
Professor Marieke Kleemans
Past Course Syllabi:
The following syllabi are from past semesters and should only be used as a guide for the information covered in the course and general structure of the course. The instructors have the right to change the course for upcoming semesters ~ please refer to the syllabus they distribute the first day of class.
ECON 490 Migration Marieke Kleemans Past Syllabus
View the Course Explorer:
See when the course is offered in upcoming semesters and all the section details:
https://courses.cites.illinois.edu/schedule/terms/ECON/490
Restrictions:
Click Here to see our restrictions page for more information on restrictions & overrides
Course restrictions are managed by the Econ Undergraduate Studies Office. Instructors do NOT have the ability to provide overrides.
Additional Course Information:
The below is helpful information from a discussion with Professor Kleemans regarding this course. Please keep in mind faculty may change the format of the course each semester, so it is important to follow the syllabus and guidelines for the semester you are taking the course (provided in class).
Is the class discussion or lecture based? The course is mostly lecture based although she will ask her students questions periodically.
How would you describe your teaching style? Kleemans likes to be clear to her students about expectations as well as be clear in what she is teaching. As long as students do what is asked of them they will not have any surprises on the exams. She tries to be fair to everyone.
In what ways are students evaluated/graded (tests -- multiple choice or essay? papers, extra credit etc)? 5 homework assignments – (although last fall there were only 4). 2 midterms (both are not cumulative and essay based exams). NO FINAL – but 1 Presentation w/ paper: 10-15 page paper (15%) – students pick a topic and write a lit review on it. 15 min presentation about paper (15%)
What careers will your course give students an advantage in? The course will help students who are pursuing a career in economic development policy, or want to work for the UN, NGOs, international jobs in poor countries, etc.
What are some classes students can take before this to help prepare them for the material? There are no prerequisites for this course, although there should be a basic understanding of calculus. Students who are up to date with current events tend to be successful in this course. In terms of demographics, mostly undergraduate seniors are enrolled in this course but sometimes juniors.
Would this be a good course to use for a graduate school application? This course will help sharpen your research skills which can be useful in graduate school.
What is your background in Economics or the field you are teaching in? She has a PhD in economics and has worked for development agencies such as UNIFEC, UN, and many more.
How would you consider the workload in comparison to other 400 Level Economics Courses? She was told last semester that the workload was too light. Students would recommend taking this course – they evaluated her at 4.8 out of 5 in forms. There are a lot of times in this course that you will be split up into groups of 3 or 4 to discuss topics that are relevant to the lecture.
What is your attendance/participation policy? Attendance is not enforced; she will post slides online, but regardless most students go to class (22 out of 24).
