International Criminal Law

Subject 730-639 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites

Successful completion of Principles of International Law or equivalent.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Prof Tim McCormack, Dr Gerry Simpson
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

This subject will focus on individual accountability for human rights abuses, including both the substantive law providing for such responsibility and the range of mechanisms available for holding individuals accountable.

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand the concept of individual criminal responsibility for violations of international law
  • Have a grasp of the core human rights crimes, as well as critical extensions of culpability, such as command responsibility, and key defences, such as duress
  • Be aware of the historical development of international criminal law
  • Appreciate the relationship between national and international jurisdiction for the prosecution of international crimes
  • Be conversant with the advantages and disadvantages of prosecutions compared to other methods of individual accountability, including the debate over amnesties and pardons
  • Understand the full range of non-prosecutorial mechanisms for holding individuals accountable, including truth commissions and civil suits
  • Comprehend the basic workings of the UNs ad hoc criminal tribunals and the permanent International Criminal Court.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • Concept of individual criminal responsibility for violations of international law
  • Elaboration of basic crimes
  • Command responsibility and duress
  • Universal jurisdiction
  • International criminal courts
  • Truth Commissions
  • Civil remedies
  • Case studies, including Cambodia.
Assessment:
  • Examination 3 hours (100%) (3 October)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (24 November) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-639International Criminal LawMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

This subject will focus on individual accountability for human rights abuses, including both the substantive law providing for such responsibility and the range of mechanisms available for holding individuals accountable.

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand the concept of individual criminal responsibility for violations of international law
  • Have a grasp of the core human rights crimes, as well as critical extensions of culpability, such as command responsibility, and key defences, such as duress
  • Be aware of the historical development of international criminal law
  • Appreciate the relationship between national and international jurisdiction for the prosecution of international crimes
  • Be conversant with the advantages and disadvantages of prosecutions compared to other methods of individual accountability, including the debate over amnesties and pardons
  • Understand the full range of non-prosecutorial mechanisms for holding individuals accountable, including truth commissions and civil suits
  • Comprehend the basic workings of the UNs ad hoc criminal tribunals and the permanent International Criminal Court.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • Concept of individual criminal responsibility for violations of international law
  • Elaboration of basic crimes
  • Command responsibility and duress
  • Universal jurisdiction
  • International criminal courts
  • Truth Commissions
  • Civil remedies
  • Case studies, including Cambodia.
  • Examination 3 hours (100%) (3 October)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (24 November) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prerequisites

Successful completion of Principles of International Law or equivalent.

N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Prof Tim McCormack, Dr Gerry SimpsonLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730639P12.500Semester 2NLawLaw730-639

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