Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102688

Coordinator Stephen Tomsen Opens in new window

Description This unit gives a detailed overview of the origins, development and contemporary debates about principles and institutions of international criminal law and justice, including the global circulation of ideas about human rights, war crimes, genocide and other "crimes against humanity" and the activity of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It will draw out the strengths of these developments, as well as their limits in addressing the needs of victims and the attainment of social justice. Furthermore, the unit will focus on Australia's often contradictory position in these changes and its own response to issues of global human rights and justice.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Criminal Law

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in program 1862 Master of International Criminology and must have successfully completed 40 credit points.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Evaluate the fundamental principles in the core topics of human rights, war crimes, genocide and other �gcrimes against humanity�h in International Criminal Law and Justice.
2. Assess the major challenges, weaknesses and effectiveness of the institutions of international criminal law and the international criminal legal system through critical evaluation.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary debates surrounding International Criminal Law and Justice from a global human rights perspective through the development of arguments grounded in current research.

Subject Content

The origins and contemporary development of International Criminal Law (1940s - Nuremburg trials and principles, United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide);
Enactment of the Rome Statute (1998) and establishment of the ICC (Hague);
Ad hoc International Tribunals;
War Crimes, Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, and other Crimes (Torture, Aggression);
Key trials and their outcomes;
Understanding and frameworks of Global Human Rights;
Australia and International Criminal Law and Justice (civil conflicts, military intervention and refugees).