IR4567 The International Criminal Court in World Politics

SCOTCAT credits:	30
Academic year(s):	2017/8
Level:	SCQF Level 10
Semester:	1
Planned timetable:	4.00 pm Tue

This module provides a detailed examination of the International Criminal Court, the first permanent global court charged with investigating and prosecuting the most serious international crimes. The ICC is both a legal institution composed of lawyers and judges and a political actor aiming to influence the behaviour of governments, militaries, and rebel groups. This complexity raises a number of practical challenges facing the Court. Who should face accountability for grave crimes? How can the pursuit of justice be reconciled with demands for peace and reconciliation, and when should one take precedence? And is criminal punishment even the most appropriate means of addressing grave violations of human rights? Through this module, students will gain a greater understanding of key features of international criminal law, the structure and status of the ICC, and will be challenged to apply their knowledge to contemporary problems facing the international criminal justice regime.

Place in programme(s) and relationship to other modules

Undergraduate

Optional for International Relations and BA (Intl Hons) International Relations

UG Pre-requisite(s):	IR2006
UG Anti-requisite(s):	IR3067

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact:	1 x 1-hour lecture plus 1 x 1-hour tutorial. In order to ensure small groups for the tutorial discussions, the instructor will divide the class into multiple tutorial groups, each of which will meet each week during semester.
Total module hours:	Scheduled learning: 22 Guided independent study: 268

Assessment pattern

UG As defined by QAA:	Written examinations: 0% Practical examinations: 0% Coursework: 100%
UG As used by St Andrews:	Coursework = 100%
UG Re-assessment:	3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator:	Dr A Bower
Module teaching staff:	Dr A Bower