Programme Specification for International Law and Criminal Justice LLM
|
Final award |
LLM |
|
Intermediate awards available |
PG Dip, PG Cert |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
None |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Law |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
November 2005 |
Profile
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
The aim of the LLM International Law and Criminal Justice is to provide a critical appreciation of the new legal regime that is emerging between international law and criminal justice symbolized with the creation of the International Criminal Court. This has effected a shift between international law and municipal law as the ICC works at both at level of international as well as universal jurisdiction which has profound implications for the development and implementation of humanitarian and human rights law. Through a strong foundation in both international law and international criminal law the programme will offer the opportunity of developing expertise in terrorism studies, international policing, international organized crime, the laws of war and armed conflict, human rights and Islamic law. The programme aims to produce graduates with excellent research and writing skills in the area.
The Aims and Objectives of the LLM International Law and Criminal Justice Programme are to:
- Develop a critical awareness of the way in which international law and criminal justice are creating a new legal regime.
- Critically engage with the major theoretical debates in the areas of international law, criminal justice and international criminal law.
- Demonstrate a familiarity with the key institutions of the international criminal system.
- Evaluate the doctrinal and policy issues associated with the new legal regime.
- Develop the ability to analyze, articulate and write on the subject, by linking previous or current experience with an academic inquiry, particularly via the dissertation.
The LLM International Law and Criminal Justice offers a range of modules. In addition to the two core modules, Current Issues and Research in International Law and International Criminal Law, a range of options are offered including: Human Rights and Armed Conflict, Terrorism Studies, International Policing, International Organized Crime, Islamic Legal Cultures, the Law of Armed Conflict
International Law and Criminal Justice at UEL
The LLM International Law and Criminal Justice at UEL is a distinctive programme for the following reasons
- The LLM teaching team is composed of experts in the area whose work has rated as internationally recognized in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008.
- LLM programs adjudged the highest grade "commendable" by the Quality Assurance Agency in 2003.
- The program, is taught by a group of researchers who have made a distinctive contribution to international law and criminal justice through publication and consultancy
- The LLM International Law and Criminal Justice offers an innovative programme through its multidisciplinary approaches combining law, criminology, international relations and critical legal studies.
- The LLM International Law and Criminal Justice is attractive because of the programme structure making it entirely research based while offering students the flexibility of choosing research areas within the modules and for their dissertation.
- The LLM International Law and Criminal Justice will be taught, as with the existing programme, through interactive lectures, workshops and seminars and specialist events.
- The LLM International Law and Criminal Justice is supported by a strong library collection and the academic and research culture in the School of Law and UEL.
Admission requirements
Qualifications for entry is a good honours degree in law, criminology, sociology, international relations, political science, economics, psychology, cultural studies, social work, area studies or any other relevant discipline.
Programme structure
In addition to the two core modules, Current Issues and Research in International Law and International Criminal Law, candidates take at least one module from the following: Terrorism Studies, War and Human Rights, International Policing, International Organized Crime, Contemporary Islamic Legal Issues, law of Armed Conflict, Feminist Legal Studies. Candidates may chose another of the above or one module form any other LLM programme. . The Dissertation must be deemed by the Dissertation committee to be substantially related to the area of International Law and Criminal Justice.
Learning environment
Module Lectures/Seminars, workshops and research group seminars, occasional day school, and visits by external experts.
Assessment
All modules are research based involving coursework. Students take four modules of 30 credits each for which they submit their coursework of approximately 7,000 words at the end of the semester. The LLM dissertation accounting for 60 credits involves a 15,000 word essay. The full time students normally complete the 180 credits requirements in one academic year while part time students complete the same in two years.
Relevance to work/profession
It is not validated for work-based learning
Thesis/Dissertation/project work
Dissertation seminars provide the opportunity for students to develop their own ideas, research specific topics. All students are allocated a supervisor. However, the nature of postgraduate dissertation does not provide scope for formal collaborative research projects.
Your future career
Students graduating with a specialisation in LLM International Law and Criminal Justice can look to the expanding market and professional choices available in this field. The scarcity of specialists in this area was particularly noticed after the September 11 2001 events and the prominence in international legal discourse. Possible career paths include policy making within the public sector and government, community relations, human rights work in development agencies/organisations, grassroots advocacy and academia.
How we support you
Every student is allocated a personal tutor who provides support and advice, research methods training is available, special sessions on access to relevant learning materials are organised. Lecturers teaching on the LLM International Law and Criminal Justice are available for module specific discussions as well as general issues related to the subject area.
Bonus factors
The LLM International Law and Criminal Justice programme benefits from special seminar series led by experts in the field and depending on suitability experience gained in the Graduate Intern Scheme.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Develop a critical awareness of the way in which international law and criminal justice interacts with the international political system
- Critically engage with the major theoretical debates about law, criminology and international relationship to international law and criminal justice
- Demonstrate a familiarity with relevant international institutions, doctrines and policies
- Evaluate the contemporary issues connected to international law and criminal justice..
- Develop the ability to analyze, articulate and write on the subject, by linking previous or current experience with an academic inquiry, particularly via the dissertation.
What will you learn?
General skills
- Ability to think critically about the international dimensions and implications of law across varied contexts.
- Ability to apply critical and comparative approaches across a wide variety of issues relating to the theorization and application of international law and criminal justice.
- Ability to engage with and evaluate solutions to the challenges of a globalized legal environment.
Knowledge
- Ability to command key areas of international legal discourse and criminal justice approaches
- Ability to understand the working international law and Criminal Justice at the international regional and state levels.
- Develop expertise by linking previous or current experience with academic enquiry, particularly via the dissertation.
Thinking skills
- Ability to engage with principal theoretical currents in international law and criminal justice.
- Ability to engage in post-structural, post-modern and post colonial theories
- Awareness of the contribution of non-legal legal disciplines to legal study.
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Ability to use a law library
- Ability to undertake a research project
- Ability to use on-line data bases
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Ability to communicate complex ideas
- Ability to research and to work independently
- Ability to read texts deconstructively
- Acquire skills relating to essay/report writing in these areas.
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
At the University of East London all programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 for LLM (International Law and Criminal Justice)
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time or two years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. A typical full-time student will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a typical part-time student will study one module per semester. Dissertation of 60 credits is undertaken on completion of the four modules- during the summer for the full time student and in the second year for the part time student.
What you will study when
LLM International Law and Criminal Justice is awarded to students who have accumulated 180 credits (with four modules and a dissertation). Full time students do so in one academic year while part time studies spread it over two years.
Full Time Students
|
- |
SEMESTER A |
SEMESTER B |
SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
|
YEAR ONE |
CORE MODULE CURRENT ISSUES AND RESEARCH IN INTL LAW: 30 Credits |
Core module International Criminal Law 30 Credits |
DISSERTATION 60 credits |
|
- |
OPTION TWO 30 Credits |
OPTION THREE 30 Credits |
- |
Part Time Students
|
- |
SEMESTER A |
SEMESTER B |
SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
|
YEAR ONE |
CORE MODULE CURRENT ISSUES AND RESEARCH IN INTL LAW 30 Credits |
Core module international Criminal Law |
PT students begin Dissertation work |
|
YEAR TWO |
OPTION TWO 30 Credits |
OPTION THREE 30 Credits |
DISSERTATION 60 credits |
Note: PG diploma in International Law and Criminal Justice is awarded to students who have completed 120 credits, having completed the modules but not the dissertation.
|
Year |
Module title |
credit |
status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Current Issues and Research in International Law |
30 |
Core |
|
1 |
International Criminal Law |
30 |
Option |
|
1 (FT)2 (PT) |
Option Two |
30 |
Option |
|
1(FT) 2(PT) |
Option Three |
30 |
Option |
|
1(FT) 2(PT) |
Dissertation |
60 |
Core |
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
The individual modules are delivered through lectures and seminar series involving both staff and student presentations.
- Students prepare for classroom participation through reading and analysis of distributed material, readings from the indicative reading and their own research. This process develops the knowledge base of students, their thinking and analytical skills, the practical application of theories and doctrine and significantly contributes to the development of general skills in preparation for life and work.
Apart from class contributions, Students are expected to develop their ideas through research and preparation leading to a research based essay whose title is negotiated.
- Negotiated essay titles and supervision involves one to one interaction with the tutor where the student's choice of research subject and proposed essay structure are discussed. This process develops the knowledge base of students as there is discussion of content, their critical thinking and analytical skills as students are expected to contribute original ideas, the practical application of theories and doctrines and in acquiring research methods and essay writing.
The LLM programme, in general, offers several avenues for development of knowledge, critical thinking, practical application and general skills for life and work. These include Day schools, guest seminar series, voluntary placement schemes and the Graduate Intern Scheme.
- In addition to the four modules, Students also undertake a long essay, the LLM thesis, which further develops the skills listed above and elaborated in the assessment criteria, below.
Assessment
As the LLM programme is designed as a researched based degree, the formal assessment method for most of the modules is the evaluation of an essay, approximately 7,000 words, submitted at the end of the semester. However, the titles and structure are negotiated by the student with the tutor which contributes to the research exercise.
- The research essays develop knowledge in the chosen area while at the same time demonstrating the links with other doctrines and related subjects and the overall context.
- As the essays are expected to be based on original research by students, the assessment criteria emphasises analysis and critical appreciation (as opposed to mere narratives).
- The content of the modules and the choice of the essay titles are geared to the development of practical skills based either on practical application or appreciation of theories/doctrines or evaluation of contemporary trends and developments.
- The essay writing process is a vital skill that is central to general ability to think, articulate and build ideas and projects- essential for life and work.
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before this programme started the University checked that:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years the University undertakes an in-depth review of the whole field. This is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments
- Attending assessment boards
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
- Ensuring that regulations are followed
- Providing feedback to the University through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting 2 times year)
- Student membership on the Law School Board
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- a newsletter (introduced next semester) published twice a year
- providing details on the programme noticeboard
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- UEL teaching Staff on the LLM act as external examiners on other postgraduate programs, teaching on visiting basis at other universities in Britain and internationally, regular present papers at academic conferences, are members of editorial boards and act as consultants for NGO’s.
Further Information
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The student handbook
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Departmental web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/law
Alternative locations for studying this programme
All modules are taught at the Stratford campus of University of East London.
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
