This module provides a critical examination of the principles and institutions and theory and practice of international criminal law. The module introduces the aims and objectives of international criminal law and examines the establishment and operation of international criminal justice institutions, and the substantive law of international crimes. It explores key theoretical and doctrinal debates in international criminal law. In particular, it seeks to locate the work of international criminal courts and tribunals in their broader political and contextual contexts. Case studies and special topics in international criminal law, form an important part of the module.
Total contact hours: 19
Private study hours: 181
Total study hours: 200
Canterbury: LLM in Law (specialisation in International Criminal Justice); LLM in Law (specialisation in Human Rights); LLM in Law (Specialisation in International Law): LLM in Law (Specialisation in International Law with International Relations); LLM in Law; PG Diploma (in the above specialisations) and PG Certificate in Law.
Main assessment methods
The module will be assessed by 100% coursework as follows:
Essay, 5000 words (100%)
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework.
• Cassese's, International Criminal Law revised by Cassese, Gaeta, et al (OUP, 2013)
• Cryer, Friman, Robinson and Wilmshurst, An Introduction to International Criminal Law and Procedure (CUP, 2014)
• De Vos, Kendall and Stahn Contested Justice: the Politics and Practice of International Criminal Court Interventions (CUP, 2015)
• Schöbel, Critical Approaches to International Law: An Introduction (Routledge, 2014)
• Simpson, Law, War and Crime (Polity Press, 2007)
• Stover, The Witness: War Crimes and the Promise of Justice in the Hague (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2005)
• Werle and Jessberger, Principles of International Criminal Law (OUP, 2014)
• Williams, Hybrid and internationalised criminal tribunals: selected jurisdictional issues (Hart, 2012)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a critical and systematic understanding of the main concepts, doctrines, principles and institutions of international criminal
law;
2. Critically evaluate international criminal law in the light of key contemporary theoretical and doctrinal debates;
3. Critique international criminal law and contemporary theoretical and doctrinal debate relating thereto to controversial case studies;
4. Demonstrate sophisticated independent research into international criminal law and to critically evaluate the current state of knowledge in
the field;
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a critical appraisal of the functioning of law in a variety of situations taking account of their unique contexts.
2. Demonstrate comprehensive research, gathering relevant and complex information and theoretical approaches from a range of diverse
sources by electronic and other means.
3. Communicate complex academic argument regarding key points of legal controversy, synthesising this research into a well-formed
argument according to relevant academic conventions.
4. Demonstrate a systematic awareness of the limitations of present knowledge and matters needing to be resolved by further research.
Stage 1
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