Law (International Criminal Justice) (PDip)

Location: Canterbury

Following a pathway in International Criminal Justice enables you to develop a critical understanding of the operation of international and transnational criminal justice, particularly in contexts that are perceived to be controversial or in a state of evolution. You learn about the main legal instruments and institutions that provide for international co-operation and prosecution of international, transnational and national crime and the impact of human rights and combine this with critical reflection of the broader context and of the effectiveness of law.

There is co-operation with the MA in Criminology, run by the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. In addition to available law options, you may choose one module from the MA in Criminology. This includes modules on terrorism and sociological theories of violence and gender and crime in a globalised world.

You are also encouraged to participate in the activities of the Kent Centre for Critical International Law (CeCIL).

International Criminal Justice will be of particular interest to those who work, intend to work, or have an interest in the fields of international and transnational criminal justice, criminal justice and human rights more broadly.

Students can choose to spend one term (either Autumn or Spring) at our Canterbury campus and one (either Autumn or Spring) at our Brussels centre (returning to Canterbury to complete the dissertation) under our split-site option for this programme. The split site option is charged at a different rate. Please see under Fees below for more information. Programmes at our Brussels centre are offered primarily in International Law and Human Rights Law. Students are responsible for organising their own accommodation in Brussels. Please contact the University's Accommodation Office for information about the availability of short term accommodation in Canterbury.

Studying for a Master's in Law (LLM) at Kent means having the certainty of gaining an LLM in a specialist area of Law. The Kent LLM gives you the freedom to leave your choice of pathway open until after you arrive - your pathway being determined by the modules you choose.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time (September start); 15 months full-time, 28 months part-time (January start)

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• the institutions, principles and structures of law in areas studied, and the policy background and interrelationships between them
• the key concepts, policy issues, principles; and relevant sources of law and policy in the areas studied
• the substantive law relevant to a range of key areas of law and policy
• the theoretical, social and academic debates which underlie the substantive areas of law studied
• the practical contexts in which law operates
• the importance of evaluating law alongside its theoretical and practical contexts: and
• the relationship and inter-relationship between areas of law studied.

Intellectual Skills

You develop intellectual skills in the following:

• effectively applying the knowledge of law and policy in areas studied to a wide range of situations where relevant practical or theoretical issues are under consideration
• evaluating issues according to their context, relevance and importance
• gathering relevant information and access key sources by electronic or other means
• formulating arguments on central issues and areas of controversy, and being able to present a reasoned opinion based upon relevant materials
• recognising potential alternative arguments and contrary evidence to your own opinion, and presenting a reasoned justification for your preference
• independence of mind and the ability to offer critical challenge to received understanding on particular issues
• the ability to reflect constructively on your learning progression.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following:

• the ability to identify and characterise issues relating to areas of law studied, which arise in practical situations
• the ability to research and access the main sources of law and policy that are relevant to the area of law studied
• the ability to appreciate and evaluate the main theoretical and political perspectives that underlie the legal provisions
• the ability to provide a reasoned and justified opinion as to the possible legal consequences in particular circumstances
• awareness of the limitations of present knowledge and matters needing to be resolved by further research
• the ability to utilise research skills, at least, to commence further research into unresolved issues

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

• the ability to identify relevant issues from potentially complex factual situations
• the ability to undertake research from a diverse range of sources;
• the ability to summarise detailed, complex information accurately and concisely
• the ability to formulate arguments in verbal presentations and defend these against opposing views
• presenting information and arguments in written form, in accordance with academic conventions, and appropriately to the intended readership
• evaluating personal performance.

This programme aims to provide:

• LLM: The opportunity to develop (a) expert knowledge and a sophisticated understanding of particular areas of law; (b) advanced research, writing and oral communication skills of general value to postgraduate employment.
  PGDip: The opportunity to develop (a) expert knowledge and a sophisticated understanding of particular areas of law; (b) written and oral communication skills of general value to postgraduate employment.
• LLM: A sound knowledge and systematic understanding of the institutional structures, key principles of law and policy and influential ideas, theories, assumptions and paradigms of particular areas of law.
  PGDip: A sound knowledge and systematic understanding of the institutional structures, key principles of law and policy and influential ideas, theories, assumptions and paradigms of the subjects studied.
• LLM & PGDip: A degree of specialisation in areas of law and policy chosen from the LLM option streams available and an opportunity for students to engage with academic work at the frontiers of scholarship.
• LLM & PGDip: A critical awareness of the operation of law and policy, particularly in contexts that are perceived to be controversial or in a state of evolution.
• LLM: The skills to undertake supervised research on an agreed topic in their specialisation and to encourage the production of original, evaluative analysis that meets high standards of scholarship.
• LLM & PGDip: Critical, analytical and problem-solving skills that can be applied to a wide range of contexts. 
• LLM & PGDip: The skills of academic legal research and writing.
• LLM: A sophisticated grounding in research methods.