F1GD 4260 - International Criminal Law (New)

***UPDATED for 2026/27***

The course explains how International criminal law came into existence, its gradual expansion after the cold war, culminating in the creation of the international criminal court. It clarifies the respective roles of domestic and international criminal courts and envisions the challenges international criminal law faces in the context of several ongoing wars.

Students will explore the rules and mechanisms of International criminal law. A practical approach enabling them to understand how the law applies to live cases will be valued. The flaws still hindering the functioning of International criminal law, along with possible vehicles for improvement will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

• Students, future diplomats, next leaders in the international sphere will understand how International criminal law came into existence, why it is especially relevant nowadays while still facing important challenges.
• Students, future diplomats, next leaders in the international sphere will acquire knowledge of the constitutive elements of international crimes, the modes of liability and a clear understanding of the proceedings before either domestic/international court judging international crimes.
• Students, future diplomats, next leaders in the international sphere will be able to determine whether a situation at hand involves the risk of commission of international crimes.
• Students, future diplomats, next leaders in the international sphere will be equipped to distinguish between a lawful act under international law/ an internationally wrongful act under criminal law and an international crime.

Professional Skills

• Students will be empowered to determine whether international crimes are to be suspected in the case at hand, and if so which court under which governing law, is the right venue to adjudicate the case (domestic court / International criminal court / ad hoc court). These skills are especially relevant for the next generation diplomats and leaders in the international sphere.
• Students will have a clear understanding of the various sequences of international criminal trials, i.e. both as to the procedural and the substantive law. These skills are all the more relevant for the next generation of diplomats and leaders in the international sphere.
• Analyzing the degree of connectedness to the crime, students will be able to discern whether one is/ isn’t criminally liable.

None

Feedback will be given after the midterm (week 6/7), the final examination (week 11) and the moot court (week 12). It will be given in writing, except for the moot court.

(i) Midterm: (In-class 1 hour) = 20% of the final average grade on Week 6.

Format: short questions.

(ii) Final exam: (In-class 2 hours) = 60% of the final average grade on week 11.

Format: Essay

(iii) Oral participation throughout the seminars 10%

(iv) Moot court on week 12 (10%). Teamwork. 3 teams:

Petitioners (Written & oral pleadings).

Respondents (Written & oral pleadings)

Judges (Questions during the hearing & written judgment)

In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

Reading and Preparation for Class: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester

Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

Other: Preparation for the Moot Court 24 hours a semester