This module is an elective which introduces you to the criminal law responsibility of private individuals (ICL) and their human rights protection (IHR) under international law.
The first part aims to focus on essential aspects of ICL: the mechanisms of international criminal justice as well as substantive aspects. This will be achieved by exploring the sources as well as the fundamental principles of ICL, institutional aspects of ICL from the Nuremberg Tribunals to the international Criminal Court (ICC) as well as established international crimes (Genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes).
The second part aims to focus on essential aspects of IHR: it will contextualise the topic by examining the main international instruments which provide protection for human rights, substantive established human rights, the importance of the distinction between global and regional protection of human rights with a special focus on the European Convention of Human Rights as well as the mechanisms in place to protect and enforce these rights.
The final part will provide a particular focus on a number of crimes analysed both from an ICL and IHR perspective, such as the crime of torture.
It will be assessed both through a coursework and a written examination.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Delivery will be through lectures, workshops and group activities using Technology Enhanced Learning and abundant use of Canvas. Students will be directed to independent reading to reinforce and expand on the materials delivered in class. The workshops will include in-class activities which will feed into the assessment.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Feedback/feedforward sessions and workshops | 66 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 234 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The assessment will consist of two pieces of coursework. It will contain a mixture of essay-based and problem-based questions and will take the form of an exercise requiring research on a set of issues that give rise to a legal problem on the issues raised. This will require students to demonstrate an ability to identify relevant sources; handle a large volume of material (some quite abstract); critically analyse and synthesise that material in terms of the question set; employstandard academic conventions including, in particular, the use of evidence to support all arguments and statements of fact or opinion; demonstrate proper use of language and attention to details of grammar and punctuation; critically analyse the legal issues according to the rules of international criminal and human rights law.
Students will have the opportunity to receive feedback and engage in formative assessment, through reviews of past assessments, in class discussions and presentations, in preparation to the summative assessment.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) evidence a critical understanding of the important theoretical and practical aspects of ICL and IHR; | FS and Coursework |
| 2) understand the interaction between the law and politics | FS and Coursework |
| 3) demonstrate problem solving skills in the area of international law, with a specific focus on criminal and human rights aspects | FS and Coursework |
| 4) appreciate the forces that have shaped the criminal responsibility and human rights protection of individuals under international law; | FS and Coursework |
| 5) analyse facts to identify and apply instruments of law and enforcement | FS and Coursework |
| 6) provide evidence of extensive independent research and analytical skills in particular issues as well as an ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. | FS and Coursework |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Coursework | 50% |
| Problem based questions | Coursework | 50% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Cassese, International Criminal Law, OUP
Smith, Textbook on International Human Rights, OUP
Bantekas, International Criminal Law, Hart
Grant & Barker, International Criminal Law Deskbook, Cavendish Publishing
Hirsh, Law against Genocide, Glasshouse Press
Mowbray, Cases & Materials on the European Convention of Human Rights, OUP
Nickel, Making Sense of Human Rights, Blackwell
Robertson, Crimes against Humanity, Penguin
Rehman, International Human Rights Law, A practical approach, Pearson