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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW3516 Mass Atrocities and Criminal Justice

20 creditsClass Size: 52

Module manager: Professor Elies Sliedregt
Email: E.Vansliedregt@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Module replaces

LAW3515 War Crimes and Genocide

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module introduces students to the legal foundations, conceptual issues, theories and causes of war crimes, mass atrocity and genocide. It makes students familiar with all groups involved, perpetrators, victims and bystanders, and explores issues of prevention, prosecution and punishment.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are:
- to introduce students to key questions on war crimes and genocide/mass killings from a criminological perspective;
- to encourage students to think about causes of war crimes and genocide related to wider issues of war, internal and international conflict and discrimination;
- to introduce students to theoretical explanations of war crimes and genocide;
- to discuss these issues drawing on a wide range of sources and geo-political contexts (e.g. the Second World War and the Holocaust, Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosovo, Cambodia and Latin America cases).

Learning outcomes
This module will involve:
- acquiring systematic understanding of the legal concepts of war crimes and genocide, of theoretical explanations and of measures of prosecution and prevention;
- developing systematic understanding of current theoretical debates;
- becoming familiar with empirical research on causes and contexts of war crimes and genocide;
- developing an understanding through case studies and comparative perspectives;
- becoming familiar with empirical research on perpetrators, victims and survivors.

Skills outcomes
- Communicating information about, interpretations of, and reflections upon a range of materials verbally and in writing, based on case studies and comparative perspectives;
- Applying comparative perspectives through cross-national analyses and in-depth case studies to selected cases of war and crimes and genocide;
- Applying both new and existing subject knowledge and understanding to the study of war crimes and genocide in the context of international law, conflicts and crises;
- Critically evaluating relevant explanatory concepts and empirical evidence, measures of prosecution and prevention;
- Researching specific task and seek out information from various sources;
- Using electronic resources and data bases;
- Using the resources of NGOs and international organisations in the field;
- Presenting the results of their research to an audience using various media;
- Working continuously in small teams to fulfil the research task and prepare and deliver the presentation;
- Communicating ideas and arguments in class;
-Using data and other information to critically assess arguments;
- Conducting a case study.


Syllabus

1. Introduction to the course: perspectives on international crimes
2. Perpetrators and victims of international crimes
3 .International crimes: the legal framework
4. International prosecutions: international courts and tribunals
5. Theories of criminal responsibility and defences
6. Prevention of genocide and state responsibility
7. Domestic prosecutions of international crimes
8. Rethinking reconciliation and ‘peace through justice’
9. Alternative to criminal justice: truth and reconciliation commissions and amnesties

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture62.0012.00
Seminar61.006.00
Private study hours182.00
Total Contact hours18.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Registers of attendance will be taken - and absences dealt with through normal School channels. Progress will be monitored through contributions to seminars and the presentation. Support will be offered where appropriate and all students are required to discuss assignments with the module leader

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,500 words short paper40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Unseen exam 2 hr 00 mins60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2019

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