LL4AR      Half Unit
International Criminal Law 1: Core Crimes and Concepts

This information is for the 2013/14 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Patricia Palacios Zuloaga NAB6.34

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Criminal Justice Policy, MSc in Human Rights, Master of Laws and Master of Laws (extended part-time study). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course will be relevant to the following LLM specialisms: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Public International Law, Human Rights Law

Course content

This course, the first of two available options on international criminal law, will examine the rationale for the introduction of criminal procedures and institutions at international level, and the degree to which the field is achieving – and is capable of achieving – its stated objectives. It will cover the conceptual and practical problems associated with the turn to legalised retribution and the criminalisation of political activities, with a view to assessing the field's trajectory and progress. Topics include: • Introduction • Objectives and obstacles • Versailles • Nuremberg • Universal jurisdiction • War Crimes • Crimes against humanity • Genocide • Aggression • Private responsibility for international crimes

Teaching

20 hours of seminars in the MT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.

Formative coursework

One 2,000 word essay.

Indicative reading

Robert Cryer et al., An Introduction to International Criminal Law and Procedure (Cambridge, 2009), 2nd edition; Gary Bass, Stay the Hand of Vengeance: The Politics of War Crimes Tribunals (Princeton, 2000); Martti Koskenniemi, Between Impunity and Show Trials, (2002) 6 Max Planck YB UN L 1; Hannah Arendt, Eichmann in Jerusalem (Penguin, 1997); Gerry Simpson, Law, War and Crime, (Polity, 2007).

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.

Key facts

Department: Law

Total students 2012/13: Unavailable

Average class size 2012/13: Unavailable

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Communication
  • Specialist skills