Foundations of International Criminal Law
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LAWW3099 | Law | 3 | 20 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- LAWW3099
- School
- Law
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
This module provides an introduction to the institutions, substantive law and procedure, and policies of international criminal justice. Starting with an introduction to the historical origins international criminal law in the wake of the Second World War with the International Military Tribunals at Nuremberg and Tokyo, before turning to the birth of modern international criminal law with the creation and operation of the ad hoc Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. We will then focus on the International Criminal Court, the most important international institution operating in this field to date.
The module examines how, beyond, creating a permanent international court mandated to investigate and prosecute core international crimes within its jurisdiction, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court created a regime for the investigation and prosecution of international crimes within national legal systems.
The module systematically analyses the 'core' international crimes and genocide, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression and modes of liability and defences as defined in the Rome Statute and developed in the caselaw of the ICC, and will compare and contrast the law as developed by the ad hoc tribunals and the Nuremberg Tribunal.
Target Students
Only available to UG Year2 or Final Year students in the School of Law and exchange students hosted by the School of Law.
Classes
This module is taught in seminar format.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: 12 pages.
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This option will focus on the emerging international criminal justice system with emphasis on the permanent International Criminal Court. The module aims to develop the students' analytical skills in relation to the function, scope and operation of the international criminal justice system and its likely future development, as well as to enable students to apply the law to various situations. A good understanding of the central issues of international criminal law will therefore be prompted. A sound grasp of the relevant legal principles will be encouraged.Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding
The module promotes a good understanding of the international criminal justice system with a sound grasp of the principles governing it;
2. Intellectual skills
The module will develop analytical legal skills, particularly with regard to a range of international legal materials
3. Professional practice skills
The module will encourage the development of skills which will assist the participants in dealing with the International Criminal Court in their professional capacity
4. Transferrable (key) skills
This course will encourage critical reflection on the application of criminal justice at the international level as well as creative thinking about the institutional design of the international criminal justice system. The module will raise awareness of the legal, political and comparative challenges of inter-governmental co-operation in the construction of an international legal order and the pursuit of international justice.
5. Other skills
Students will develop their confidence when engaging with materials, perspectives and arguments from different intellectual disciplines. Students will be encouraged to develop their critical reasoning skills – both written (by completion of the assessed coursework) and oral (through participation in class discussions).