Contemporary social relations increasingly transcend national borders as people migrate in response to war, repression, climate change, economic opportunities, or intimate partnerships. This seminar examines how people sustain social, familial, and intimate relationships across national borders, focusing on the role of digital technologies, infrastructures, routines, and affective labor that maintain or disrupt long distance connections. Using socio anthropological perspectives on transnationalism and care, students explore how kinship and support systems adapt when lived across distance. Through readings, discussions, guest lectures, and collaborative Swiss Ukrainian research projects, the course offers both theoretical foundations and hands on experience studying transnational relations. The seminar is offered in collaboration between the Invisible University and the University of Fribourg and takes place primarily online.
The seminar starts on September 21 from 5-7pm with an information session on site in the seminar room for the students that participate from the University of Fribourg where we present the seminar programme. Online sessions will then take place between Oct 5 and Dec 14.
(Image by Kseniia Stepas)
- Enseignant·e: Madlen Kobi