The ability of a country to control access to its territory is a major topic of national and international debate. Should a state have the absolute ability to control its borders? Or should states give priority to the human rights of individuals seeking entrance or resisting removal – such as the right not to face torture or the right to family life? What role should Parliament or the courts play in deciding who should be allowed to enter and reside in the UK? These are some of the key issues that will be considered in this module.
You will be introduced to immigration law in the United Kingdom including its historical development and the wider political context. In particular, you will cover topics such as: family migration and human rights, labour migration and trafficking, deportation law and foreign national offenders, long-term residence rights and "illegal" migration.
Drawing on policy documents, case law and critical analysis of developments at the national and international level, the module will enable you to acquire both sound knowledge of the law and critical awareness of the biases, gaps and challenges in the current immigration system.
Lectures will introduce you to key contemporary policy debates in the UK. Seminars will discuss key caselaw and involve practical case studies, allowing you to apply your knowledge to real-life scenarios.
Lectures -16 hours
Workshops - 8 hours
Seminars - 8 hours
Written- Test- Multiple choice assessment based on scenario - worth 20% of the total marks for the module
Written- Extended writing (3000 words) worth 80% of the total marks for the module-This assessment is pass compulsory.
Reassessment methods- Like for like
For reading lists see the detailed module information on moodle
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Explain in detail the national and international sources of UK Immigration law;
2) Critically analyse the history and theory of regulating key categories of migrant subjects in the UK;
3) Effectively apply knowledge to the analysis of complex legal issues within the field of UK immigration law;
4) Critically analyse and reflect on key aspects of the intersection of national law with the international regulation of migration;
5) Critically evaluate key contemporary policy debates in the area of UK immigration law.
No prerequisites
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