After the completion the course students will be familiar with the ad hoc or hybrid criminal tribunals established since 1990s such as ICTY, ICTR, SCSL, ECCC, STL, SCC and the Extraordinary African Chambers. Students will gain a well-developed understanding of the functioning of the International Criminal Court, its structure, jurisdiction and how cases move from preliminary examinations trough different procedural phases.

This practice-oriented course introduces students to the international criminal justice system, its origins and evolution. It also touches upon on some samples of psychological tests endeavoring to explain mass criminal behavior during conflict. Selected cases (Lubanga and Ongwen) are discussed in more detail. The course will also address deficiencies of the international criminal justice system, and those of the ICC in particular, as well as the tension between geopolitics and the concept of international criminal justice.

The course is composed of five lectures including group work critically discussing different aspects of international criminal justice system and reviewing selected reading materials. Students are required to produce a 6-10 page essay from a list of three optional topics.

Max. 24 students.

Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Sociology, MDP in Public Choice, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare, MDP in Gender Studies)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students