Migrants are easy scapegoats. They are blamed for takings jobs, draining public resources, challenging cultural norms, increasing crime, and spreading disease. This class will explore the theoretical foundations of migrants-as-threats narratives, and survey the evidence about which tropes are most effective and politicized. The class then turns to strategies for increasing migrant inclusion instead.
3 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
Migrants are easy scapegoats. They are blamed for takings jobs, draining public resources, challenging cultural norms, increasing crime, and spreading disease. This class will explore the theoretical foundations of migrants-as-threats narratives, and survey the evidence about which tropes are most effective and politicized. The class then turns to strategies for increasing migrant inclusion instead.
Offered in Winter 2026 at Stanford University.