OADH 2055 - The International Criminal Court and Human Rights

The course will provide students with a general introduction to international criminal law, focusing on the role of the International Criminal Court. Attention will be directed to the major conflicts of the present day, and particularly those in Ukraine and the Middle East. The course will begin with a history of the discipline, where the important developments including the Nuremberg trial and the establishment of the ad hoc tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda will be reviewed. Then, using the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as a framework, the major themes of international criminal justice will be explored: the place of the Court within the international legal system, the crimes that are punished, the relationship with transitional justice initiatives at the national level, general principles of criminal law at the international law, the structure of the Court, the procedure including trials and appeals, sentencing matters and treaty law issues.

Learning outcomes:

• General grasp of the operation and procedure of the International Criminal Court.
• Understand the relationship between international criminal law and other branches of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
• Appreciate the political dimensions of international criminal prosecutio.

Professional Skills:

• Learn how to read and analyse the judgment of an international court.
• Writing of an essay presenting a legal issue to a general audience.
• Engaging in reflective and independent thinking.

There is no pre-requisite. However, students who have not previously studied criminal law are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the subject prior to the course by studying an introductory textbook in criminal law.

Classes will consist of lecture presentations, with questions and discussion by students strongly encouraged.

• Students will be required to submit a research assignment on a major theme in international criminal justice, to be assigned (50%).
• At the end of the course, there will be a take-home examination to be completed in a 30-hour period (50%).

• Reading and Preparation for Class: 7 hours per week / 84 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 41 hours a semester