LAW41160 International Criminal Justice

Academic Year 2017/2018

This is a 12-week, ten-credit module which introduces students to international criminal justice.

We will first consider how international criminal law has emerged as a distinct body of law. We will examine how the international legal community has responded to issues such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, by establishing international and hybrid courts and tribunals. These include the International Criminal Court, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and Yugoslavia. We will also consider the operation of International Criminal Law in national legal systems.
We will explore issues around criminal responsibility, defences and immunities, as well as alternatives to international criminal courts (such as amnesties and truth commissions).

Students are expected to attend all seminars and to actively participate in the seminars. Active participation means:

- Students are expected to read thoroughly in advance of seminars, using the reading lists provided. As this is a graduate module, independent research in advance of seminars is also strongly encouraged.

-Students are expected to prepare answers to any questions for consideration on the seminar outlines. You should be able to discuss your response to the question in class. You are not penalised for providing the wrong answer, you are penalised for failing to complete adequate reading or substantively engaging with the class discussion.

- Students are expected to ask and answer questions posed by the module coordinator or by other students; students are expected to engage fully in class activities such as group work, moots, presentations etc.
Students are asked not to come to seminars unprepared.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should:
- Be familiar with international criminal law as a distinct body of law
- Be familiar with the sources of international law
- Critically assess responses to international crimes
- Understand issues such as liability and immunities in the context of international crime
- Understand how international criminal courts and tribunals operate.


Students should also be able to demonstrate:
- ability to engage in rigorous research
- oral presentation skills
- graduate-level academic writing
- reflective practice
- strong analytic skills
- effective time management, planning and organization skills
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Specified Learning Activities

56
Autonomous Student Learning

120
Total

200
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It will be an advantage if students are familiar with basic concepts of criminal law and/or criminal justice. However, students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds are welcome



 
Description % of Final Grade Timing
Presentation: 10-minute presentation followed by Q&A

40

 Week 7
Group Project: 2,500 word report

40

 Coursework (End of Trimester)
Continuous Assessment: Attendance and participation at weekly seminars

10

 Throughout the Trimester
Journal: Individual reflective learning journal

10

 Throughout the Trimester

Compensation

This module is not passable by compensation

Resit Opportunities

In-semester assessment

Remediation

If you fail this module you may repeat, resit or substitute where possible.