LAW4164 · International refugee law and practice

Overview

This unit will explore the international protection regime for refugees including state obligations under international refugee law, human rights and the law of the sea. It will compare and contrast key concepts and practices of refugee protection, amongst receiving states. It will then address issues raised by regional responses such as deterrence measures and the externalization of border control policies. This unit will examine the sources of international refugee law and the evolution of the international regime for refugee protection. It will discuss comparative implementation of the refugee definition in Europe and other jurisdictions; modification of the Refugees Convention in domestic legislation; restrictive concepts such as 'internal protection' and 'safe third country' and the development of 'complementary protection' for asylum-seekers. It will then address issues raised by regional responses and creation of 'burden sharing' arrangements between states; procedures for determination of refugee status and proposals to reformulate the refugee protection regime.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Articulate the background and nature of international refugee law.
2. Investigate and apply the international instruments applicable to asylum seekers, including the Refugees Convention.
3. Critically evaluate comparative state and regional practices towards refugee applicants.
4. Undertake legal research and reasoning to explain legal and policy issues so as to formulate reasoned and appropriate responses to legal problems in international refugee law.
5. Strategically apply feedback to improve capabilities and performance of tasks.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.