Introductory description

This module focuses on the study of that branch of International Law that has become known as International Criminal Law which addresses the legal and institutional response to atrocity crimes. The module examines the core elements and aims of international criminal law as well as a selection of its institutions and its actors. The module critically engages with what international criminal law is, the challenges it encounters, and what it could be.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module focuses on that branch of International Law that has become known as International Criminal Law which addresses the legal and institutional response to atrocity crimes.
It examines first the rationale behind this body of law, the offences regarded as international crimes, and the actors of international criminal justice.
Secondly, it examines critically the history of international criminal law and the tribunals culminating in the formation of the International Criminal Court.
Thirdly, it considers the colonial and political context, the challenges and future development of international criminal law.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the institutional structures that support prosecution of proscribed offences as well as critically reflect and comment on their weaknesses and reflect on how these could be addressed
• Formulate both oral and written arguments on the enforcement or lack of it, of international criminal law
• Reflect on the future of international criminal law in the light of difficulties observed and to recommend procedural, substantive, policyand other changes that may strengthen Practice of the International Criminal Court.
• Demonstrate ability to research issues on international criminal law by gathering information, evaluating and synthesising it to arrive at a reasoned and logical conclusion
• Critically reflect on and write about the learning journey

Indicative reading list

Emily Haslam, The subjects and subjectivities of international criminal law: a critical introduction, 2024
Christine E. J. Schwöbel (ed), Critical approaches to international criminal law: an introduction
Book , 2015
Robert Cryer; Darryl Robinson; Sergey Vasiliev, An introduction to international criminal law and procedure
Book, 2019

View reading list on Talis Aspire

International

This module examines issues related to International Criminal Law.

Subject specific skills

Subject knowledge and understanding: Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the history, meaning, and scope of international criminal law and its relationship to politics and international relations.

Cognitive Skills: Demonstrate critical analysis; identifying the proper roles of theory and fact; evaluating the logic and empirical claims of rival arguments; identifying assumptions, including the student's own assumption and biases; following extended trains of argument; understanding clearly the relations between law and non-legal forms of thought, and the practical implications of theory; offering nuanced and balanced arguments.

Subject-Specific/Professional Skills Demonstrate advanced written and oral presentational skills and reflective writing skills

Transferable skills

Develop an ability to identify and employ legal sources; analyse problems and concepts; identify relevant evidence; analyse and synthesise of evidence; evaluate conflicting arguments; understand logic of explanation; draw policy conclusions from theoretical and empirical analysis.
Identify and use appropriately interdisciplinary materials, including international policy documents, empirical research findings, and artistic performances on the concepts of international criminal law.