Name: Introduction to International Criminal Law
Brand: Case Western Reserve University
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.8 (1009 reviews)

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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Introduction to International Criminal Law by Case Western Reserve University

4.8

stars

3,969 ratings

About the Course

-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes, terrorism, and piracy. We will examine unique modes of international criminal liability and specialized defenses. And we will delve into the challenges of obtaining custody of the accused and maintaining control of the courtroom. -- Course Syllabus -- This course comprises eight units (or "modules"). Each will include an assigned reading, typically an article or book chapter, as well as a simulation designed to bring the readings to life. I will also offer video lectures on each of the topics, accompanied by slides. In addition, there will be online role-play exercises and debates, enabling the students to share their own insights. The order of class sessions will be: (1) History: From Nuremberg to The Hague (2) International Crimes Part 1: War Crimes, Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, and Torture (3) International Crimes Part 2: Terrorism and Piracy (4) Special modes of liability: command responsibility, co-perpetration, and incitement (5) Special defenses: insanity, obedience to orders, duress, and head of state immunity (6) Gaining custody of the accused: extradition, luring, abduction, and targeted killing (7) Pre-Trial Issues: plea bargaining, self-representation, and exclusion of torture evidence (8) Maintaining control of the courtroom -- Recommended Background -- You don’t have to be a lawyer and there are no prerequisites for this course. However, the course will be conducted at the level expected of advanced undergraduate students. Therefore, for all participants, reading and writing comfortably in English at the undergraduate college level is desirable. -- Suggested Readings -- Students should read the assigned online materials for each unit in advance of the class session. In addition, students are invited to subscribe to “War Crimes Prosecution Watch,” a free bi-weekly e-newsletter that summarizes the latest developments in the field of international criminal law. -- Course Format -- This course is made up of eight content units. Each unit is based on an online reading assignment, a video lecture of about one hour in length, and one or more role play exercises to stimulate on-line discussion. The course also offers in-video enrichment quizzes (ungraded) for each unit, a ten question multiple choice midterm diagnostics exam (ungraded), and a ten question True/False Final Exam. -- FAQ-- How will this course be graded? This course is graded on completion. In order to complete the course each student must: (1) finish each module (or “lesson”); (2) write at least one essay response of 200 words or more for at least one simulation throughout the course; and (3) get a score of 6 out of 10 or better on the Final Exam. What resources will I need for this course? For this course, all you need is an Internet connection, and the time to read and discuss the exciting materials available online. What is the coolest thing about this course? The topics we will be discussing are ripped from the headlines. The topics are often controversial and thought-provoking, and always exciting....

Top reviews

Aug 27, 2023

Professor Michael P. Scharf is an outstanding teacher, and I am happy that I could listen to his lectures and study the materials in this Course on Introduction to International Criminal Law.

Feb 17, 2021

super enjoyable and to the point. No stress of having to study loads, you just take in the information. The simulations were lots of fun to participate in. One of my favourite courses.

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976 - 1000 of 1,008 Reviews for Introduction to International Criminal Law

By Jowin A J

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Jul 8, 2020

Good course

By Lorenzo F

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Feb 28, 2025

Buon corso

By Mario M M

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Sep 11, 2022

very good

By Marco F

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Mar 18, 2025

Excelente

By Angela P

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Feb 22, 2021

Muy bueno

By carlos d p

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Feb 27, 2016

excelente

By Arundhati C

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Nov 8, 2020

Awesome!

By Aniket

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Jul 27, 2025

Niche

By TMU林永芸

•

Nov 6, 2024

Great

By Shivakant

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Jul 30, 2020

good

By Jagadeeshwari C

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May 26, 2020

good

By Manoj k S

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Dec 14, 2019

good

By mariam r a

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Oct 13, 2021

By Hasna E a

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Oct 11, 2021

By mouza a a

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Sep 23, 2021

By Myrte D

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Jun 3, 2020

I wish to share that the notes made during the video are often not very clear. It would be useful to have clear endings of the phrases, and new paragraphs. And not a repetition of the words, spoken by the professor when he is re-thinking his phrase.

In addition I wish top ask you to update the course, as today it is 2020. The recordings have taken place in 2016? Or even earlier?

Last but not least, I wish to share that the Dutch UN mission in Srebrenica had not been described correctly. The Dutch General had asked for back up, but the other UN parties (specially the British army close by) did not wish to help the Dutch Blue helmets. In your lectures it looks like the Dutch themselves had made the horrible mistake just to run away, leaving those 700 men behind. But in fact they had to run away as they knew they would be outnumbered by the Serbs, without any help from the other UN armies in the area.

Thanks! Myrte Dijksman-Schouten

By Vladimir

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Dec 11, 2015

I really like to the content of the course, but the problem of it is that it does not really incorporate the legal skills one acquires from Law School and is thus somewhat of a false representation of the case law that is offered.

By lina b

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Jul 26, 2020

para personas que no tenemos los recursos a la mano para el certificado, deberian facilitarnos mas las cosas, me gustaria obtener el certificado, pero no tengo posiblidad economica para eso :(