Use the Tab and Up, Down arrow keys to select menu items.
The aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction to the field of international criminal law, which is taken to include the substantive criminal law (international and transnational crimes), and international criminal procedures (such as extradition, mutual legal assistance, transfer of proceedings, transfer of prisoners, recognition of criminal judgments, etc).
The course will provide a comprehensive overview to students of the key modalities, history, theory and general principles of international criminal law and key issues. Focus will be placed on the work of the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, along with touching on the work of the hybrid courts. Students will be introduced to key issues, including modes of criminal liability, theoretical rationales for punishment, the role of victims in the ICC, and the temporal, personal and subject matter jurisdiction of these courts. Students will gain an understanding of what constitutes war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression and the elements of these crimes. The course will provide an introduction to procedural issues within the ICC. Focus will be placed on admissibility, complementarity and case selectivity. The course will also cover the relationship between sexual and gender based violence and international criminal law. Students will gain an understanding of the concept of positive complementarity and its importance in terms of countering impunity for international crimes.
Students completing this course will gain:- Core knowledge of the foundations of international criminal law- An advanced understanding of individual criminal responsibility and modes of liability for international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide- Understand the rationales for punishment under international criminal law- Comprehend the basic modes of operation of international criminal law, including the issue of admissibility - Ability to conduct research in the area of international criminal law
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
60 points at 200 level, including either CRJU202 or LAWS202, from Schedule A to the Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree regulations.
LAWS321
Roisin Burke
The assessment will be confirmed in the first week of lectures.
Cassese, Antonio; International criminal law ; 2nd ed; Oxford University Press, 2008.
Cryer, Robert; An introduction to international criminal law and procedure ; Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Schabas, William,1950-; An introduction to the International Criminal Court ; 3rd ed; Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Schabas, William,1950-; The UN international criminal tribunals : the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone ; Cambridge University Press, 2006.
Werle, Gerhard , Jessberger, Florian; Principles of international criminal law ; Third edition;
A reading list will be appended to each lecture handout. Suggested general texts are listed above. The following websites may also be useful:- International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia- International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda- International Criminal Court- Special Court for Sierra Leone
Domestic fee $790.00
International fee $3,600.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see Faculty of Law .