Prospectus

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European Asylum law

Course
2014-2015

Please note that the following description of the course is only provisional and therefore subject to change.

Admission requirements

  • Background in law

  • Sufficient command of English

  • Students should be familiar with the basics of international and European law.

Description

Asylum and Migration are among the most debated issues in the European Union. In the Member States of the European Union asylum is governed by international human rights treaties and European Union Law. Human rights play a very important role in refugee and asylum law. Important treaties, such as the Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees, the European Convention on Human Rights, the UN Treaty Against Torture and the UN Treaty on the Rights of the Child are the foundation of asylum policies. Increasingly, EU asylum law is shaping the asylum practices of EU member states.

This course can be followed in combination with European Migration Law or separately. The courses are organized in a similar manner.

The course program is, apart from an introductory lecture, divided into three parts, each consisting of three sessions (two lectures and a seminar). In the introductory lecture the context of European asylum law and the instruments of relevant international refugee law and European asylum law will be discussed. The three following parts concern: 1. The qualification for international protection; 2. Access to Europe, reception conditions and detention; and 3. The Dublin system and asylum procedures.

Course objectives

The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and insight into the relation between the various levels of international and European asylum law and their impact on refugees. Students learn to apply this knowledge to asylum cases.

Students are expected to give a presentation and write three papers, containing a structured legal argumentation. The students will conduct independent research into case-law and other relevant materials, and apply their findings to concrete cases or issues.

Timetable

See

Mode of instruction

Lectures

  • Number of (2 hour) lectures: 7

  • Names of lecturers: Stefan Kok and Mariana Gkliati

  • Required preparation by students: reading the materials assigned in the prescribed literature and readers

Seminars

  • Number of (2 hour) seminars: 3

  • Names of instructors: Stefan Kok and Mariana Gkliati

  • Required preparation by students: Writing a paper (3x) and active oral participation in the discussions.

Assessment method

Examination form(s)
One oral presentation and three papers to be written during the course. The final grade will based on the three papers and the oral presentation.

There is no separate exam. The papers are about the prescribed materials in the textbook, and materials provided through Blackboard during the course.

More information on this course is offered in Blackboard.

Blackboard

More information on this course is offered in Blackboard.

Registration

Please contact the department.

Contact details

  • Co-ordinator: mr. S.G. Kok

  • Work address: KOG, room B0.05

  • Contact information: Monday-Thursday

  • Telephone number: +31 (0)71 527 1372

  • Email: s.g.kok@law.leidenuniv.nl

Institution/division

  • Institute: Public Law

  • Department: Institute of Immigration Law

  • Room number secretary: B121

  • Telephone number secretary: +31 (0)71 527 7535 (student assistant)

  • Email: immigrationlaw@law.leidenuniv.nl