Module Directory

This module provides an in-depth and critical overview of the legal and political frameworks developed at the international level governing international peace and security, paying particular attention to the perspectives and experiences of marginalised groups in negotiating access, securing protection, and obtaining justice.

The aims of this module are:

• To provide students with an in-depth overview of the legal and political frameworks related to international peace and security.


• To enable students to be able to critically assess the capacity of those frameworks to support marginalised groups in negotiating access, securing protection, and obtaining justice.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Have a good understanding of critical legal and political theory as it relates to international peace and security.


2. An understanding of the foundational concepts and principles of ‘Women, Peace and Security’ and ‘Human Security’ particularly as articulated by the UN Security Council and related agencies.


3. How to critically analyse the intersectional dimensions of marginalisation relevant to the subject areas covered in the module.


4. Form their own opinions as to the extent to which international law adequately addresses the rights and needs of marginalised groups when negotiating access, securing protection, and obtaining justice.


5. Develop and express (orally and in writing) complex arguments to substantiate the critical approaches they take to the subject areas explored within the module.

The module highlights the interface between critical legal theory (including feminist, critical race, and post-colonial perspectives), international relations theory and human rights law, and additional legal frameworks relevant to key subject areas which are particularly relevant to international peace and security. These, which may vary from year to year, consist of: displacement, migration and refugee law, peacekeeping, terrorism and counter-terrorism, weapons and disarmament, investigations and commissions of inquiry, prosecutions and reparations. 
 
In the exploration of each of these subject areas, particular emphasis is placed on exploring the specific dimensions of particularly marginalised groups – both in how the subject areas are framed but equally, in understanding the tensions within those framings and the legal and policy responses that have been developed to address them and the gaps that remain.

Indicative Module Outline  

• Critical Legal Theory and Notions of Security 


• ‘Women, Peace and Security’, ‘Human Security’ and Related International Relations Framings 

Students will select 7 out of the 9 topics listed below 

• Displacement, Migration and Refugee Law 


• Peacekeeping 


• Weapons and Disarmament 


• Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism 


• Reproductive Rights in Conflict and Emergency Settings 


• Tackling the needs of marginalised groups in investigations and commissions of inquiry 


• Gender framings of international crimes


• International criminal law and “unpopular” causes (navigating prosecutorial discretion)


• Reparations and vulnerable groups 

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour seminar each week.

The module teaching team will upload all relevant teaching materials on Moodle. You will find reading lists, the textbook, weekly handouts or PPS notes on Moodle. The materials in question are designed both to help you navigate the material to be covered in the seminars and to equip you to analyse the required readings. You will be expected to have completed the required readings in advance of your seminars.