LW7140 - International Criminal Law

You will be supported by a teaching and learning plan (TLP) which outlines the activities (independent study/reading, self evaluative tasks, mock trials, informal practice assessments) throughout the module.

Direct learning will centre on detailed and up-to-date learning materials which will be available via the module dedicated e-Learning (elp) site and will include guided reading using electronic reading lists, self-evaluative tasks as well as opportunities to engage with your tutor and fellow students. You will have the opportunity to participate in a mock trial using our recreated courtroom. You will also have the opportunity to join our study visit to the International Criminal Courts at the Hague, the Netherlands.

Independent learning will centre on you identifying further reading and research to provide deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of substantive aspects of comparative and international criminal law.

You will be provided with detailed feedback on your formative and summative assignment for this module, as part of your reflective development, such feedback can be utilised in the preparation of subsequent module assessments you will be undertaking during your studies. You are therefore able to demonstrate self-reflection and reflective practice within the module and on the programme as a whole, with feedback of appropriate quality and the positive application of formative feedback on learning.

The members of academic staff who teach on this module possess significant research and practical expertise in the field(s) of international criminal procedure. As such, they will provide you with appropriate academic support. However, the Module Tutor will also draw upon the professional network of the wider teaching team to invite practitioners from international(ised) criminal tribunals to provide workshops/talks on international criminal law. These include Prosecution and Defence counsel as well as judges at international criminal tribunals.

The University is well-positioned to support you in your learning and research, with an excellent library and teaching facilities, access to electronic legal databases and resources, including many international criminal law-related materials, and appropriate software. This module will be designed and managed by your Module Tutor, who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning on the module. All relevant materials and instructions will be available online through the module eLP site, maintained by your Module Tutor, who will also provide updates on issues of current legal significance as appropriate.

Academic support is also available through formative oral feedback and feedforward during timetabled sessions, on assignments, and through the module handbook, which details the delivery structure and University requirements. At programme level, you will be supported by the Programme Leader who will provide you with pastoral support throughout the module and the programme as a whole.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the module you should be able to:
• developed knowledge and a critical understanding of substantive aspects of comparative criminal law in the major legal systems of the world

• how international judges and practitioners from different legal schools of thoughts undertake such comparative approach in dealing with international crimes.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
By the end of the module you should be able to:
• developed an ability to conduct rigorous and independent comparative legal research relevant to substantive aspects of international criminal law;
• selecting, using and applying the relevant materials to identify legal issues, construct rational and sound arguments and present accurate legal information clearly, coherently and substantiated by authority;
• developed your oral and presentation skills by taking active part in the mock trial.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

By the end of the module you should have developed the ability to:

Gained a very good knowledge of comparative approaches and methods and its significance for the development of domestic and international criminal law.

Formative assessment
You will be given an opportunity to submit a formative essay which normally should not exceed 1,000 words and you will be provided with feedback that can be utilised in the preparation of the summative essay.

Summative assessment will be undertaken on an individual basis by way of assignment which constitutes 100% of the marks for this module. This assignment aims to encourage a deep and critical approach to learning, developing an ability to think widely about the issues presented within the module and to explore these in-line with directed and independent learning.

The specific nature of the assignment may vary and may include an essay question or problem based scenario.

Assessment Criteria and Grade-Related Criteria will be made available to you to support you in completing assessments. Grade-Related Descriptors are descriptions of the level of skills, knowledge and/or attributes that you need to demonstrate in order achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured and placed within the overall set of marks.

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This module provides you with a firm grasp of substantive aspects of international criminal law, namely, the elements of international crimes and modes of perpetration and participation in criminal conduct. You will acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of substantive aspects of comparative criminal law in the major legal systems of the world and how international judges and practitioners from different legal schools of thoughts undertake such comparative approaches in dealing with international crimes and the attribution of individual criminal responsibility to alleged perpetrators. The module will include guest talks and workshops from practitioners giving you unique practical insight into the prosecution of major war criminals. You will be assessed by researched assignment (100%) which will consolidate your understanding of international and comparative criminal law and develop your skills of critical analysis.
This module is essential for those of you interested in a future career in international criminal law; particularly as legal counsel, but also as an activist and campaigner, researcher, policy-maker, adviser or indeed any career in which a working knowledge of how international criminal responsibility is pursued is desirable.