Module: Working with Refugees & International Protection Applicants

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Working with Refugees & International Protection Applicants
Module Code	CUS1016 (ITS: LC529)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module will require students to engage with organisations that work with refugees and international protection applicants and to reflect on their experience

Learning Outcomes

1. Actively engage with vulnerable populations
2. Acquire a deeper understanding of the workings of an NGO/civil association
3. Identify and analyse integration needs of specific IPA/Refugee population
4. Address issues and put forward proposals for resolving specific problems identified
5. Enhance employability in NGO sector by analysing operational structure, needs, funding strategies, social capital production of an NGO working in the forced migration/immigration sector
6. Creation of an e-portfolio
7. Peer-presentation skills

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	4	Introductions to NGOs, writing reports, e-portfolios
Fieldwork	20	Voluntary work with NGO: 2 weekly hours minimum
Workshop	8	Meetings to report on progress
Class Presentation	10	Individual oral presentation of work carried out with NGO
Portfolio Preparation	40	Selecting, analysing and writing up material based on workplace experience
Independent Study	168	Reading up on NGO related activities
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20227	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	INTRA	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Fiona Murphy	Module Teacher	Agnes Maillot

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Presenting to peers on workplace experience	30%	Sem 2 End
Professional Portfolio	Collating and documenting workplace experience	70%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

introductory lectures
Introductions to NGOs, writing reports, e-portfolios

Engagement with NGO
Voluntary work with NGO: 2 weekly hours minimum

Weekly feedback sessions
30 minute meetings (in groups of 2-3 students) to report on progress

End of semester presentation
Individual oral presentation of work carried out with NGO

Independent study
Reading literature related to working with people in refugee-like contexts

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Boulding, C.: 2014, NGOs, Political Protest, and Civil Society, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
Cambridge, D.: 2010, Eportfolios for Lifelong Learning and Assessment, Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J.,
Chong, DPL: 2010, Freedom from Poverty : NGOs and Human Rights Praxis,, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
Elbow, P.: 1998, Writing with Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
Hollenbach, D.: 2008, Refugee Rights : Ethics, Advocacy, and Africa, Georgetown University Press, Washington,
Lang, S.: 2012, NGOs, Civil Society, and the Public Sphere, Cambridge University Press, New York,

Articles:

Dany: 2019, Exploring the Political Agency of Humanitarian NGOs: Médecins Sans Frontières During the European Refugee Crisis, Global society, 33:2, DOI: 10.1080/13600826.2019.1577804, 64985
2021: Empowerment Perspectives and Practices of Refugee-Related NGOs in Turkey: Family, Protection, or Solidarity?, Journal of Refugee Studies, Feaa120, https://doi-org.dcu.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/jrs/feaa120, 64986, 1
On social integration process with refugees in Turkey: how can NGOs be more effective?: International Journal of Inclusive Education, 25: 1, DOI: 10.1080/13603116.2019.1673955, 64987, 1, Sunata,U. and Tosun, S
Journal of Refugee Studies: 32: 4,

Other Resources

None