Immigration Research for a New Century: Multidisciplinary Perspective.

This book presents research on the post-1965 wave of immigrants to the United States by a new generation of immigration scholars. The 20 papers, which come from a 1998 conference, cover groups ranging from high-tech engineers in Silicon Valley to Sudanese Nuer refugees in Minnesota. Many studies report novel findings and fresh interpretations. The book begins with an introduction, "Immigration and Immigration Research in the United States" (Nancy Foner, Ruben G. Rumbaut, and Steven J. Gold). Part 1, "Studying Immigration: Disciplinary Perspectives and Future Research Needs," highlights views from sociology, anthropology, race, politics, and social sciences. Scholars examine the emergence of an interdisciplinary body of work that incorporates such topics as the social construction of race, the influence of homeland ties, and conflict among migrant populations. Essays demonstrate how social change, new immigration patterns, and scholars' personal backgrounds alter the scope and emphases of research literature. Part 2, "Studies of Immigration: Research from a New Generation of Scholars," discusses political economy, membership, and the state; migration, economic incorporation, and the market; and ethnicity, race, gender, and community. Essays explore the complex variety of immigrant experiences, showing how labor force demands, stereotyping, and state regulation play important roles in immigrants' economic adaptation. (Papers contain references.) (SM)