An example of the exam will be distributed during the course.

Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2 | CP 1672 - CH-1211 Genève 1 | +41 22 908 57 00 | graduateinstitute.ch MAISON DE LA PAIX

International Law

Academic year 2018-2019 International Criminal Law

DI122

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This course will provide an overview of the contemporary international criminal law regime. After examining the pluralistic dimension of this body of law, the course will focus on the definition of each international crime (war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression) and on key controversial issues sorrounding the international definition of these crimes.

PROFESSOR

Gaeta Paola

(paola.gaeta@graduateinstitute.ch) Office hours

ASSISTANT

Francesca Dal Poggetto

(Francesca.Dalpoggetto@graduateinstitute.

ch)

Office hours

Syllabus

This is an introductory course to International Criminal Law and thus addresses students who wish to enhance their knowledge of the fundamental rules and principles of this body of law. Each class will consist of both a lecture given by the professor, which will set out the legal framework of the particular topic featured in the programme, followed by a class discussion of the assigned national or

international cases. Students are therefore expected to read the relevant material before each class and to prepare themselves for the class discussion.

The course will cover the following topics:

 The sources of international criminal law and its ‘fragmented’ nature

 The quest for the notion of international crimes

 Genocide and its constitutive elements, with a focus on genocidal intent and policy

 Crimes against humanity and the contextual elements of the crimes

 War crimes and their relationship with the laws of armed conflict

 The crime of aggression and its relationship with jus ad bellum

 The question of the individualization of guilt for crimes of mass atrocities

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The course will be evaluated on the basis of a 2-hour in-class exam, which will take

place during the last session. The exam will be open-book and will consist in

answering some short questions based on a case study. An example of the exam will be

distributed during the course.