What is the role of international law in international disagreements?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the role of international law and how it is applied to international conflicts.
Key learning points
- International humanitarian law balances universal rules with diverse cultural challenges to protect people in conflicts.
- The Geneva Conventions set universal rules for protecting civilians and prisoners during armed conflict.
- The ICC enforces humanitarian law by investigating and punishing individuals for serious crimes like war crimes.
- Some countries don’t join international courts, but global pressure encourages them to follow international law.
Keywords
Humanitarian law - international laws which govern how we must treat other humans
International Criminal Court - a permanent international court established to investigate, prosecute and try individuals accused of the most serious crimes against humanity
Common misconception
All countries are in the International Criminal Court and therefore it is effective at enforcing humanitarian laws.
Not all nations are part of the ICC, for example, the USA and Russia are not. The ICC attempts to enforce humanitarian laws anyway and members can bring cases against non-members.
Teacher tip
Due to the sensitive and ongoing nature of the case studies used in this lesson, check for the latest facts and updates before teaching to ensure accuracy and neutrality.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which international agency is made up of the Security Council and General Assembly?
Q2.Which conflict began in 2022?
Q3.Which international military alliance has the agreement that if one member is attacked, then all will come to their defence?
Q4.Which of these is an NGO?
Q5.Which of these organisations focuses on health?
Q6.Match the word to its definition.
when everyone has equal rights/opportunities/access to resources
help/support during emergencies e.g., natural disasters or conflicts
disagreement between people/groups/countries, often involving violence
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to its definition.
international laws which govern how we must treat other humans
prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious crimes
basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to
Q2.International humanitarian law aims to protect civilians, the sick, wounded and which other group?
Q3.Which conventions are the cornerstone of international humanitarian law?
Q4.How many countries agreed to the Geneva Conventions?
Q5.The Statute of Rome established which organisation?
Q6.The ICC currently has less members than the number that agreed to the Geneva Conventions. How many members are there?
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: What is the role of international law in international disagreements?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: What is the role of international law in international disagreements?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How does the international community respond to global humanitarian problems? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.