module specification

LL6067 - Law of Immigration and Asylum (2024/25)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2024/25
Module title Law of Immigration and Asylum
Module level Honours (06)
Credit rating for module 15
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Total study hours 150
 
114 hours Guided independent study
36 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 100%   A research-based essay, requiring a critical analysis of a contemporary issue or problem-based case-study
Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Autumn semester North Wednesday Morning

Module summary

The Law of Immigration and Asylum provides students with an understanding of the legal concepts of immigration and nationality. This will involve a study of the rules relating to temporary admissions, settlement, deportation, illegal entry, removal and asylum.

Students will gain a critical appreciation of the rules, policies, Conventions and cases which are integral to this field of law, and become aware of the variety of applications that may be made in the tribunals, both through independent research and by visits to the relevant tribunals. They will also develop an understanding of the ethical implications arising out of UK Immigration policy as evidenced in the most recent case law and legislation.

The module aims to develop several key transferable skills including independent research, critical analysis, legal drafting and academic writing in the context of the law of immigration and asylum, emphasising the use of primary and secondary sources of law. The preparation and delivery of the assessed group oral presentation will also develop communication and team-working skills.

Student employability will be enhanced by the development both of these skills, and by
the practise of written and oral communication skills and group participation skills.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the Concepts, Rules, Policies and Historical Development  LO1, LO2 and LO3

2. Affected and Interested Parties  LO1, LO2 and LO3
• Spouses and Partners
• Children and other family members
• Visitors, students and other temporary visitors
• Workers and business people
• EEA Nationals and Families

3. Asylum and Human Rights  LO1, LO2 and LO3
• Deportation
• Illegal entry
• Removals and Directions
• Criminalisation and Immigration Law
• Expulsions and anti-terrorism
• Expulsions and Article 8

4. Tribunal Structure  LO1, LO2 and LO3
• Structure and role of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
• Tribunal representation
• Appeals
• Judicial review

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar. 

The lecture will be used for:

• Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
• An introduction to relevant academic literature;
• Guidance on learning strategies;
• Use of WebLearn and IT resources;
• Whole group questions and discussion.

The seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:

• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Legal writing.

Blended Learning

All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on WebLearn for use in directed private study.

Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of WebLearn for access to all of the above materials.

There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp

Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto WebLearn.

Students’ Study Responsibilities

The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the students will be able to:

1. Research and provide a critical evaluation of the complex rules relating to the law of immigration and asylum.

2. Demonstrate the ability to propose solutions to a range of hypothetical problems.

3. Demonstrate the ability critically to analyse contemporary issues relating to the law of immigration and asylum.

Bibliography