Module Information

Module Identifier
LAM1920
Module Title
Criminology of International Conflict Personnel
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials 22 hours; 11x2 hour seminars
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment   TWO WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS OF 2,500-3,000 WORDS (40% EACH) OR ONE WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF 5,000-6,000 WORDS  80%
Semester Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION  20%
Supplementary Assessment WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT(s) TO BE RESUBMITTED, IF FAILED  80%
Supplementary Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION OR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT IN LIEU OF ORAL PRESENTATION TO BE SUBMITTED, IF FAILED  20%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of the ways in which criminological and sociological perspectives can be applied to the study of war crimes by military personnel;
2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of major theoretical work on war crimes by military personnel;
3. Critically evaluate relevant criminological arguments and evidence;
4. Formulate criminology informed questions with specific reference to relevant issues and debates pertaining to war crimes by military personnel;
5. Employ abstract criminological concepts and use these concepts to express an understanding of specific types of war crimes by military personnel;
6. Demonstrate an ability to gather appropriate information about the subject area from a range of different online and offline sources;
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and relative value of those sources;
8. Demonstrate an ability to construct systematic and coherent written arguments.

Brief description

Why do some soldiers commit violent crime? What makes some individuals resort to international terrorism to make their political demands? What are the root causes of crimes by corporate soldiers? What types of offences are committed by peacekeeping personnel? Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminal behaviour. The theatre of war is characterized by different types of military personnel including a state’s armed forces, non-state terrorists, paramilitary groups, corporate soldiers and peace keepers, with different organizational structures and cultures operating under different incentive structures. Using case studies examining a number of different conflicts, this course aims to provide an advanced understanding of the diverse military actors and to examine the major criminological explanations for their crimes.

Content

Part I Criminological theories
Part II: Understanding the organizational structure and culture of different types of military organizations
Part III: Case studies
Part IV: Applying theory to concrete situations

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7