This course on International Refugee Law, is a clinical course for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The materials chosen for the course are primary readings, namely text of relevant legal instruments, relevant case laws and academic articles.

The course is structured over 20 in-person sessions, ie 40 hours spread over 10 weeks.

The aim is to take the students through the background of the legal framework for refugee protection and then delve into the various aspects of the definition of a refugee along with its interpretation in different jurisdictions, rights of refugees and interlinked concepts. The course will cover refugee protection in India. The sessions are sequenced to progressively enhance the knowledge about refugee law and engage the students in understanding its application by various States across the world and understand the role of UNHCR and other international/national organizations.

This is a clinical course, and will be a combination of lectures, seminar style discussions, case studies, simulations and group work. In order to make the learning participatory and interactive, the students will undertake research work, wherein they will be tasked to research on the legal framework for refugee protection in a particular State (country).

Each student will choose a different State and present the same before the class and/or submit a 3000 word paper. This will be counted towards the examination. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to research on case law relevant to the sessions.

Simulations will also be included in the sessions to assist the students in getting a deeper insight into the asylum and refugee-situations. Guest lectures from across the world working in the field of refugee protection will be invited (on-line) for a practical insight into refugee law and protection.