International Criminal Law and Justice (M3048)
International Criminal Law and Justice
Module M3048
Module details for 2024/25.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
International Criminal Law (ICL) has developed in response to mass atrocities. It recognises that some offences are so grave that they are of international concern; they are said to “shock the conscience of all mankind.” These offences include the four core crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court:
1) Genocide
2) War Crimes,
3) Crimes Against Humanity,
4) The Crime of Aggression.
ICL establishes the elements of these offences and provides a mechanism for finding perpetrators individually liable, directly under international law.
This module will help students to understand the key legal principles embodied in ICL (with a particular focus on the elements of the four core crimes listed above) and to use that framework to analyse a range of contemporary and historic situations from a legal perspective. It will develop students understanding of the institutional framework, in particular the International Criminal Court, and will also give students the opportunity to engage in some of the political, sociological and theoretical debates about the role and effectiveness of International Criminal Law.
Module learning outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of:
1) International Criminal Law and the instructional framework within which it is applied.
2) The social and historic context in which this body of law and set of institutions has developed.
Use International Criminal Law to analyse real situations and fictitious scenarios and to develop legal arguments.
Understand and discuss the conceptual underpinnings of International Criminal Law and its function within the international community.
Understand and discuss the socio-political issues relating to International Criminal Law, and to critique International Criminal Law and its institutional framework from a range of perspectives.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (2000 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111011111 |
| Autumn Semester | Online Seminar | 1 hour | 11111011111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
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