Course Catalogue

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This course provides an advanced level investigation into the contemporary legal and societal issues that emerge at the intersection of migration and work. Participants will consider the position of migrant workers in the labour market and the role of law in structuring, or alternatively, challenging their vulnerability to labour exploitation. In terms of structure, we will begin by mapping out the various legal regimes - international, European and national -regulating peoples' cross-border movement for the purpose of work. Building on these discussions, we will focus on contemporary case studies to consider how international and European legal sources interact with national law and evaluate the extent to which this interaction creates opportunities for a better protection of migrants' rights at work.

10 weekly 2-hour sessions

This course is only available to LLB students.

None

None

30% essay and 70% written exam.

Essay

Students will submit an essay of 2000 words. The essay will account for 30% of the mark.

Exam

Students will sit a 2-hour final written exam. Students will answer selection of essay-type questions. The exam will account for 70% of the mark.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

1. To introduce participants to some of the contemporary debates concerning labour migration and migrants' rights at work.

2. To place the legal and societal issues that arise from the intersection of migration and work in a comparative (international, European and national) context

3. To enhance participants' written and oral communication skills by offering them opportunities to present work-in-progress and engage in structured discussions with their peers

4. To enhance participants' critical thinking skills 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the multilevel legal frameworks in place regulating migrant workers

2. show familiarity with a range of jurisprudential and policy issues that arise at the intersection of migration and work

3. develop and articulate a critical understanding of the role of law in structuring and alleviating vulnerability to exploitation at work for migrants 

4. critically assess legal and policy trends in the field of labour migration

5. conduct independent research on topics relating to the legal treatment of migrants at work

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.