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International Criminal Law - LAWS8991
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Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: Academic Program must be either 9200, 9210, 9230, 9240, 5740, 5760, 9211 or 5211.
 
 
Fee Band: 3 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

The course will trace the historical origins of international criminal law and its sources, and its development through the jurisprudence of various international criminal tribunals, from Nuremberg to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The course will also consider the applications and boundaries of international criminal law, and its relationship with international politics. The mechanics of an international criminal trial will be examined, together with aspects of practice and procedure, including the rules of evidence.

LLM Specialisations

International Law; Human Rights and Social Justice; Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None, but LAWS8180 Principles of International Law or equivalent is a recommended pre- or co-requisite.
Similarly, it would be helpful if you have studied Criminal Law or an equivalent.

Course Objectives

  • To equip students with an understanding of the sources, application, potential scope and limitations of international criminal law;
  • To acquaint students with the structure of an international criminal trial and what is involved in prosecuting and defending a charge in an international criminal tribunal.

Main Topics

  • Historical roots of International Criminal Law;
  • The development and operation of the Nuremberg Tribunal, the ad hoc tribunals and the International Criminal Court;
  • Particular international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, aggression), modes of participation in the commission of such crimes, and defences;
  • International Criminal Law Practice and Procedure;
  • The application of International Criminal Law in domestic criminal courts; and
  • Future directions of the development and application of International Criminal Law.

Assessment

Class Participation 10%
Class Exercises 30%
Essay/Assignment 60%

Course Texts

Prescribed
  • Antonio Cassese, International Criminal Law (2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2008).
Please refer to the Course Outline which will be provided at the beginning of the relevant semester

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.