Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims:

- to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of how international criminal law evolved, particularly in the post-World War II era and whether it is effective in the pursuit of justice;

- to develop student understanding on the substantive law according to which an individual may be held criminally responsible for serious violations of international law with particular focus on the 4 core international crimes: crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide and aggression;

- to develop student knowledge and understanding of existing international judicial mechanisms available for the punishment of individuals responsible for international crimes and to critically assess their strengths and weaknesses;

- to critically reflect on international criminal jurisprudence and developments in international criminal law regarding the investigation, prosecution and punishment of international crimes;

- to critically reflect on the role of State immunities, amnesties and defences (i.e. superior orders) in international criminal justice;

The first part of the module focuses on the existing international judicial mechanisms for the prosecution of international crimes, such as the International Criminal Court, the two ad hoc International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The second part focuses on substantive law, i.e. what constitutes an international crime, what is the applicable law and what is the role of State immunities, amnesties and defences for the prosecution of international crimes.

The module will enhance students’ ability to conduct independent research, to engage in critical legal thinking and to develop and present well-formulated and well-substantiated legal arguments.

Outline Of Syllabus

* Nature, Sources and Objectives of International Criminal Law

* The ad hoc Tribunals (ICTY and ICTR) and internationalised tribunals (East Timor, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Bosnia Herzegovina, Cambodia)

* International Criminal Court

* The Crimes: Crimes Against Humanity – Forced Displacement

* Child Soldiers & Sexual Violence against Women - International Criminal Law and Victims’ Rights

* The Crimes: Aggression

* The Crimes: Genocide

* The Crimes: War Crimes

* Principles of Liability and Defences

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate:

• comprehensive knowledge on the principle of individual criminal responsibility for the commission of international crimes;

• critical understanding of the substantive law;

• critical assessment of the role of State immunities, amnesties and defences in the prosecution of international crimes;

• comprehensive understanding of the international judicial mechanisms available for the prosecution and punishment of international crimes.

Intended Skill Outcomes

This module has the following intended skills outcomes:

• to develop students’ critical analysis skills and constructive legal thinking in the field of study
• to enhance students’ ability to conduct original and independent research by reference to primary and secondary sources such as treaties, customary international law, general principles of law, judgments and the literature
• to develop students’ ability to formulate well-substantiated arguments and opinions
• to strengthen students’ problem-solving skills
• to enable students to actively engage into the various debates by reference to academic commentary, international judgments and the law
• to enable students to write and speak with clarity and precision

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The seminars will be interactive and will require advanced preparation. The rationale for this teaching method is to promote analytical, argumentative and critical skills essential for discourse. The learning methods will rely on directed self study for the contact teaching time and independent study for the preparation of assessed coursework which will bring together the knowledge, cognitive, research and the assessed key skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework is justified in that it enables candidates to demonstrate in particular the outcome of research, written communication of a sophisticated order and the ability to show depth of understanding together with a range of cognitive skills.

General Notes

N/A