LAW8551 : International Criminal Law
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Elena Katselli
- Owning School: Newcastle Law School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
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
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 60 | 1:00 | 60:00 | Own reading and revision of substantive module content, combined with directed readings |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Film showing |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 118 | 1:00 | 118:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
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 Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 100 | 3000 words |
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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- LAW8551's Timetable