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International Migration Law (LAWS70365)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
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International migration is a topic of ever-increasing interest as a result of globalisation of labour markets and demographic pressures in sending and receiving states. This subject analyses the framework of international law that regulates the flow of people across international borders as regular or irregular migrants. It also equips students to understand the human rights of migrants who live or work in countries outside the state of their nationality. The subject aims to give students a broad understanding of connections between relevant legal frameworks rather than detailed knowledge of specialised regimes, and it is not a course in domestic migration law. The subject draws on a mix of international and Australian case studies, which befits Australia’s position as a major migrant-receiving country for over 60 years.
Principal topics include:
- Contemporary patterns of international migration
- Nationality and statelessness
- Regulating entry of persons
- Regulating exit of persons
- Refugees and asylum-seekers
- International labour migration
- International human rights of migrants
- Human trafficking and smuggling
- Emerging migration issues (eg environmental migration).
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the international legal principles regulating international migration, both in treaties and customary law
- Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effectiveness of these legal rules
- Be an engaged participant in debate regarding emerging and contemporary issues in the field
- Have an detailed understanding of the international legal principles regulating nationality and statelessness, the movement of people into and out of states, and the treatment of non-nationals within a state
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to generate critical and creative ideas relating to international migration law, and to critically evaluate existing principles and concepts with creativity and autonomy, including evaluating national migration laws and practices relative to international legal principles
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to international migration law
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding international migration law to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Be able demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a learner in the field of international migration law.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Students would benefit from having some prior understanding of international human rights law and it is strongly recommended that students have completed prior study in international law, for example, the subject below:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70173 | International Law |
March (Online)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Option 1: Take-home examination
| 100% | |
Option 2: Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 100% | |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Time commitment details
Total Time Commitment: 136-150 hours The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students. Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist printed materials will be made available free of charge from the Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
law.unimelb.edu.au
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 12 November 2022