Course Description (Human Rights - LAWC102)
The purpose of this course is to examine the history, development, structure and efficacy of International Human Rights Law. Students will investigate the legal framework of the United Nations and regional systems (European, Inter-American, African and Arab) relating to the protection and promotion of human rights. The course covers the rights that are most commonly claimed by the individuals (civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and group rights). The course has an academic profile but also aims to develop some practical skills.
Course Description (International Humanitarian Law – LAWC113)
The purpose of this course is to explore the development and operation of international humanitarian law (IHL), which is the body of public international law that regulates conduct during international and non-international armed conflict. Although IHL is the expression most widely used, the same body of law is often referred to as Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), and occasionally referred to as Law of War or as Jus in Bello. The course examines key issues relating to IHL, enabling students to examine the historical and theoretical developments, sources, fundamental principles and objectives of the rules governing both international and non-international armed conflicts. Topics include the constraints on means and methods of warfare; the protection of civilians and prisoners of war; means of enforcement of international humanitarian law, including criminal prosecution; and the relationship of the laws of armed conflict with international human rights law.
Course Description (International Criminal Law – LAWC443)
International Criminal Law, as a general term, comprises a number of distinctive legal institutions as well as a substantial body of primary and secondary rules, namely; crimes defined by international law, criminal procedures before internationally constituted courts and tribunals, jurisdictional rules for cooperation between national and international, criminal courts, national prosecution of international and transnational crimes, and extradition and other international agreements about mutual legal assistance between national criminal justice systems. This course will draw attention to the major features in this still rapidly growing field of law, while students will be able to determine some of the particular legal issues that will be emphasized through their choices of paper topics for research presentations in class.