Course syllabus

Asylum and Refugee Law, 15 credits

Course code: RV126A Credits: 15
Main field of study: Law Progression: A1N
    Last revised: 13/03/2020
Education cycle: Second cycle Approved by: Head of school
Established: 07/01/2020 Reading list approved: 13/03/2020
Valid from: Autumn semester 2020 Revision: 1

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

  • further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
  • develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
  • develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

The student should be able to, after completing the course

  • explain and analyze, with support from the relevant system's legal sources, the components of the refugee and asylum law, the rights of the child and various interpretations of the best interest of the child in relation to refugee and asylum concepts;
  • clarify the fragmentation of refugee legislation and trends within regional systems and institutions;
  • explain and analyse ethical dilemmas arising from political influences affecting the practice of refugee protection (e.g. interceptions at borders, limitation of family reunification);
  • identify, discuss and analyse, with critical ability and within given time frames, a variety of legal violations and problems that may affect refugees and asylum seekers;
  • identify criteria and apply them with a good ability to present solutions, both orally and in writing, in the relevant area of law that demonstrates familiarity with the application of relevant sources of law and jurisprudence;
  • reflect, with a critical and independent approach, on the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

Main content of the course

This course deals with refugee and asylum rights from a human rights perspective. How human rights can strengthen existing asylum and refugee law is analyzed, primarily through international and European perspectives. The course covers the central concepts pertaining to Article 1 and Article 33 of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its Protocol, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and various interpretations of the best interest of the child in relation to refugee and asylum concepts and the EU's Common Asylum Systems´ (CEAS) functions and components. Trends in regional systems and institutions (UNHCR, OAS and AU) where different areas of law interact are also central.
The students work mainly independently but also in groups during the course, where both group and individual supervision takes place and progress partly on the basis of problem-based methodology.
Legal English is especially dealt with since the course is held in English.

Cannot be read together with previous course RV002A

Teaching methods

The course is given in English. Distance course, online. The teaching is to some extent problem-based, which means that the teaching is based on case-oriented tasks in order to stimulate the student's knowledge seeking, critical reflection, analytical ability and skills development. The course is conducted with some general lectures, online meetings and group discussions but demand a great deal of tutorials, individual study. Compulsory attendance applies at all grade-based stages and if in addition is specified in the schedule.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Seminar 1, 5 credits (Code: A004)
Written individual memorandum and oral presentation and opposition of the memorandum at an online seminar. If a student does not reach the passing grade, but is close to a passing grade, the examiner may decide on completion and give the student instructions to be implemented within two weeks from when the student is assigned the instruction.

Seminar 2, 5 credits (Code: A005)
Group work with presentation at an online seminar, individually written memorandum, individually written peer review.

Seminar 3, 5 credits (Code: A006)
Group work with oral discussion, oral peer review between groups, individual oral examination.


For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Seminar 1
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Seminar 2
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Seminar 3
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

ECTS grading scale F-A is used. The course grade is weighted in which the grades are compared to an average grade where the scope of each examination is taken into account.

Specific entry requirements

180 credits at the first level of which 90 credits with increasing depth in Legal Science, or 180 credits at the first level Law Program.
Additional requirements: English Course B/English Course 6.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

This course is a web-based course and is given in English.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Goodwin-Gill, Guy S. (2007,/3 ed)
The Refugee in international law
Oxford University Press, 786 pages, e-book

Additional reading

African Charter of Human and Peoples' Rights 1981 (Arts. 5, 12 & 23)

American Convention of Human Rights 1981 (Art.5 & 22)

American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man 1948 (Art. 27)

Cartagena Declaration on Refugees 1989

CEAS (Common European Asylum System) instruments, especially The Dublin III Regulation 604/2013, the Eurodac Regulation 603/2013, the Reception Conditions Directive, the Asylum Procedures Directive och European Council Directive on Minimum Standards for Qualification and Status of Third Country Nationals as Refugees 2004/2011 (recast)

Convention Against Torture 1984 (Arts. 1, 2 & 3)

Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989

Convention on the Status of Refugees 1951 och Protocol of 1967, (Arts.1, 33)

European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 1950 (Art. 3)

OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa 1969

Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, (Arts. 13 & 14)

Additions and Comments on the Reading List

The literature is read in its latest edition.

Additional material, e.g. articles and legal cases of about 750 pages, is added as compulsory material.