Migration and Refugee Law in Europe

This course explores policies and laws relating to migration and refugees in Europe. It provides an introduction to the concepts and causes of migration and refugee flows, international and EU law relating to migration and refugees, and explores the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers in a range of countries. The course examines the international obligations under the Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees and the operation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. It also looks at the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons and discusses the broader political responses and public perceptions of irregular migration and forced migration.

The course is highly interactive with discussions, exercises, and group work that invite students to critically reflect on the situation of displaced persons, on the nature and objectives of migration and refugee law, and to understand the rationale of international, regional, and domestic policies in this field.  Moreover, the course seeks to improve communication, teamwork, argumentative, presentation, and research skills.

Assessment: class participation and class exercises (25 % of final grade), mid-course exam (25 %), and group presentation (50 %).