Module: Asylum and Migration in the European Union: Politics and Policies

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Asylum and Migration in the European Union: Politics and Policies
Module Code	POL1097
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module enables students to acquire in-depth knowledge of the EU asylum and migration policy. It examines the origins of the EU cooperation on asylum, migration and borders, including the Dublin Convention and the Schengen Agreement. It analyses the gradual development of the EU asylum and migration policy, including the evolution of institutional arrangements and the move away from intergovernmental decision-making and policy-making. It examines the main achievements in this policy area and discusses the remaining challenges, such as the limitations of existing solidarity arrangements, reports of violations of the fundamental rights of migrants and asylum-seekers and the difficulties raised by the instrumentalization of migration by hostile actors.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse European Union cooperation on asylum, migration and border controls
2. Discuss the main achievements of EU cooperation on asylum, migration and border controls, as well as the remaining challenges to the development of further cooperation
3. Analyse and interpret policy documents and other written material concerning migration issues, in particular EU legislation and policy documents
4. Interpret debates concerning the issue of migration from different theoretical perspectives
5. Apply the knowledge acquired in this module to new cases and related debates in international relations and migration studies
6. Clearly summarise and communicate complex ideas in writing.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Sharing key knowledge; introducing, contextualising and discussing key readings; assignment guidance
Independent Study	228	Reading; self-analysis and reflection; assignment preparation
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	21396	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Michael Breen	Module Teacher	Sarah Léonard

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Students are expected to write a 4,000-word policy brief relating to migration policy in a European country of their choice. This assignment will test students’ abilities to conduct a search for information, summarise and present information in a clear and concise manner, consider various possible policy options and argue for a particular policy option on the basis of their research.	100%	n/a

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Andrew Geddes,Leila Hadj-Abdou,Leiza Brumat: 2020, Migration and Mobility in the European Union, Red Globe Press, 0, 9781352009842
C. Querton: 2023, Conflict Refugees: European Union Law and Practice, Cambridge University Press, 9781009359382

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None