Course syllabus spring 2015
Course syllabus spring 2015
Title
Refugees and Asylum Law
Swedish title
Refugees and Asylum Law
Course code
IM142L
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2013-03-07
Syllabus valid from
2013-09-02
Entry requirements
Thirty credits within the field of social sciences.
Level
Basic level
No main field.
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergraduate level.
Course objectives
This course will provide the foundations necessary for students to develop a critical understanding of the study of refugees and asylum seekers.
Course contents
The course gives a broad overview of refugee studies and contemporary challenges within the field. This course covers the central concepts relating to the study of refugees and asylum, the state of the world’s refugees and displaced persons, the role of governmental and intergovernmental institutions in national and international refugee work, the relation between international, EU and national asylum law from a historical and a contemporary perspective. The course combines legal, theoretical and policy approaches.This course therefore covers the central concepts relating to the study of refugees and asylum, the state of the world’s refugees and displaced persons, the role of governmental and intergovernmental institutions in national and international refugee work, the relation between international, EU and national asylum law from a historical and a contemporary perspective. The course combines legal, theoretical and policy approaches.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course the student shall be able to demonstrate:
- A critical understanding of the basic concepts, issues and theoretical debates which pertain to the study of refugees and asylum seekers, and an ability to apply this knowledge to analyse specific refugee situations.
- A contextual knowledge of the historical background, content and function of the 1951 Refugee Convention, and an appreciation of the reach, limits and tension between international, EU and national asylum laws.
- Familiarity with the role of governmental, intergovernmental and international institutions in refugee work, as well as an understanding of the reasons and impact that inclusion of the protection of internally displaced persons (by typically refugee relief organizations) has had on the refugee and asylum field.
- A critical appreciation of the experiences of displacement and exile in different situations, and an ability to use such knowledge and practical examples from Europe and other parts of the world, in the analysis of specific refugee situations.
- Knowledge of the current state of durable solutions offered by the international refugee regime and the relation of these dynamics to other political developments such as conflict, intervention and peace processes.
Learning activities
Teaching is principally in the form of lectures and seminars. Independent reading and research is expected throughout the course.
Assessment
The student’s performance is appraised by means of:
- One group task (5 credits) assessed as pass or fail
- One take home exam (10 credits), which will be graded A-U.
The examinations test the student’s knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse refugee and asylum issues covered in the course, as well as skills relating to the application of core concepts.
Retake
Students who do not pass the regular course exam have a minimum of two re-take opportunities. The re-take exam follows the same form as the original exam. The re-take of group work takes the form of individual written and/or oral assignments.
Course literature and other study material
- Gibney, Matthew (2004) The Ethics and Politics of Asylum: Liberal Democracy and the Response to Refugees, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
- Webber, Frances (2012) Borderline Justice: The Fight for Refugee and Migrant Rights, Pluto Press, London.
- Whittaker, David (2006) Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the Contemporary World, Routledge, London
+ Compendium
Course evaluation
All students are offered an opportunity to give written feedback at the end of the course. A summary of the results will be made available. The students are also given a possibility to offer feedback through the course council.