Professional Linkage Seminar (394-LK-21)
Topic
Human Rights & US Refugee Law
Instructors
William B Schiller
Meeting Info
University Hall 312: Tues 6:00PM - 8:50PM
Overview of class
Legal_St 394-LK-20 "Human Rights & US Refugee Law", William Schiller (Spring 2023)
What happens when refugees and asylum seekers come to the United States?
This course will introduce students to international human rights conditions as well as refugee and asylum law mechanisms in the United States. Students will learn about the diverse work of refugee-related professionals, including individuals who perform documentation-gathering, advocate for legal and public policy, and provide health care for asylum-seekers in the United States. This course will allow students to meet directly with a prosecutor and a judge to learn more about their professions and case procedure.
Learning Objectives
The objectives in this course are: 1) to learn about international human rights conditions and refugee and asylum law mechanisms in the United States, through ongoing research related to asylum claims that will be presented at the end of the quarter in a trial; and 2) to become familiar with the diverse work of refugee-related professionals, including individuals who perform documentation-gathering, advocate for legal and public policy, and provide health care for asylum-seekers in the United States.
Teaching Method
In this class, you will be introduced to fundamental tenets of international human rights law and its domestic counterpart, U.S. asylum law. You will build upon this foundation for the remainder of the course by researching two asylum claims involving refugees from two countries, which you will present in mock hearings at the end of the course.
The class will divide into two groups. Group 1 will present a claim involving their client and Group 2 will serve as the USCIS trial attorney or opposing counsel. Group 2 will then present a claim involving their client with Group 1 serving as the USCIS trial attorney or opposing counsel.
Throughout the course, you will be given assignments that relate to the presentation of your cases. You also will be given opportunities to discuss questions emerging from your research for your cases with guest speakers who are experts in specific areas relating to refugees or asylum law.
It is anticipated that in the latter part of the course, we will meet with a judge and prosecutor to learn more about their professions and to give you an opportunity to ask questions relating to case procedure.
In the eighth and ninth weeks of the quarter, you will represent your applicant's claim in front of a judge, with your classmates performing the roles of asylum applicant, and expert and lay witnesses, including family and community members.
Class Materials (Required)
Access to AILA Asylum Primer 8th Edition.
Cost is $75 for 6 month subscription. Contact instructor for access form.