International Criminal Law [2621]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's or Licence level (or equivalent); proficiency in English
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: English
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to international criminal law, combining its theoretical foundations with the analysis of relevant jurisprudence. It examines the sources and fundamental principles of the discipline and its relationship with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The course traces the historical development of international criminal justice from the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals to the ad hoc tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and the establishment of the International Criminal Court. It also examines the core international crimes, particularly genocide and crimes against humanity, as well as the principles governing individual criminal responsibility and modes of liability. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to apply legal principles and case law to contemporary issues in international criminal justice.

Course Objectives

This course enables you to:

• define international criminal law and explain its sources, fundamental principles and historical development;
• assess the contribution of the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals and the ad hoc international criminal tribunals to the development of international criminal justice;
• understand the structure, jurisdiction and role of the International Criminal Court, including its relationship with national criminal jurisdictions;
• identify and analyse the elements of core international crimes, particularly genocide and crimes against humanity, using relevant jurisprudence; and 
• understand and apply the main principles and modes of individual criminal liability to practical cases in international criminal law. 

Course Competencies

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade; and
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Course Outline

Section 1: Course description and introduction

Section 2: What is International Criminal Law?

Section 3: History of international prosecutions: Nuremberg and Tokyo

Section 4: The ad hoc international criminal tribunals

Section 5: The ICC

Section 6: Genocide

Section 7: Crimes against humanity

Section 8: General principles of liability

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade; and
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises); and
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone holding a Master 1 / Master of Arts 2 (or an equivalent qualification) in law, the humanities, social sciences, theology, or a related field connected to human rights, or with significant personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written English is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

• Robert Cryer, Håkan Friman, Darryl Robinson and Elizabeth Wilmshurst, An Introduction to International Criminal Law and Procedure, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
• Antonio Cassese, International Criminal Law, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, 2008.
• Gerhard Werle, Principles of International Criminal Law, 2nd ed., T.M.C.Asser Press, 2009.
• William A. Schabas, An Introduction to the International Criminal Court, 4th ed., Cambridge University Press, 2011. 
• Robert Cryer, Prosecuting International Crimes: Selectivity and the International Criminal Law Regime, Cambridge University Press, 2005.