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This curriculum is designed for professionals seeking advanced skills and expertise in international criminal law (ICL), covering both theoretical foundations and practical skills crucial for the practice of ICL at a high level. The program will focus on the intersection of law, politics, human rights, and global justice, preparing graduates to work in international courts, tribunals, NGOs, government agencies, or international law firms.

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Program Structure:

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1. Core Modules (Year 1)

   • Introduction to International Criminal Law
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Historical foundations and development of international criminal law

     • Overview of international criminal courts (ICC, ICTY, ICTR, etc.)

     • Core international crimes: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, aggression

     • Legal frameworks: International Criminal Court (ICC), ad hoc tribunals, hybrid tribunals

     • Jurisdiction, admissibility, and complementarity

   • International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL)
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols

     • The distinction between international humanitarian law and human rights law

     • Relationship between international criminal law and IHRL

     • Protecting vulnerable populations (e.g., women, children, prisoners of war)

     • Responsibility for violations and crimes

   • Advanced International Criminal Procedure
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Investigation and evidence gathering in international criminal trials

     • Fair trial guarantees: due process and rights of the accused

     • Rules of evidence in international criminal trials

     • The role of international criminal defense lawyers, prosecutors, and judges

     • Cooperation between states and international organizations in criminal cases

   • International Criminal Law and Politics
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • The role of politics in shaping international criminal law and justice

     • International criminal law as a tool for global peace and security

     • Political pressures on international criminal trials

     • Case studies on controversial cases and international political implications

     • Challenges in post-conflict justice and reconciliation

2. Practical Skills Modules (Year 2)

   • International Criminal Advocacy and Trial Preparation
     Duration: 8 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Trial strategy and case preparation

     • Oral advocacy skills for international criminal trials

     • Cross-examination and direct examination in international contexts

     • Closing arguments in complex international criminal trials

     • Practical training in moot court simulations and trial practice

   • International Criminal Law Drafting and Writing Skills
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Drafting pleadings and motions in international criminal cases

     • Writing amicus curiae briefs and legal opinions for international tribunals

     • Preparing legal memoranda and submissions to international courts

     • Legal research strategies for international criminal law

     • Working with multilingual and multicultural legal texts

   • Victim Advocacy and Witness Protection in International Criminal Trials
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Protecting victims and witnesses in international criminal law

     • Legal frameworks for victim participation in international criminal proceedings

     • Witness protection programs and their implementation

     • Ethical considerations in victim and witness advocacy

     • Trauma-informed practices in the context of international criminal trials

   • Forensic and Investigative Techniques for International Criminal Lawyers
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • The role of forensic evidence in international criminal investigations

     • Investigating international crimes: challenges and techniques

     • Collaboration with forensic experts (e.g., forensic anthropologists, ballistics experts)

     • Digital evidence and cybercrime in the international context

     • Gathering and preserving evidence in conflict zones

3. Elective Modules (Choose 2)

   • International Economic Crimes
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Financial crimes within the international criminal law framework

     • Money laundering, fraud, and corruption in the international context

     • Corporate accountability for international crimes

     • Legal and institutional approaches to addressing economic crimes

   • Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Theories and models of transitional justice

     • The role of international criminal law in post-conflict societies

     • Truth commissions and reparations

     • National vs. international accountability mechanisms

   • International Criminal Law and Armed Non-State Actors
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Legal issues surrounding the prosecution of non-state actors

     • The challenges of applying international criminal law to armed groups

     • International treaties and norms relating to armed groups

     • Case studies: Non-state actors in Syria, Iraq, and beyond

   • Global Environmental Crime and International Criminal Law
     Duration: 6 weeks
     Key Topics:

     • Environmental crimes under international criminal law

     • The link between environmental harm and human rights abuses

     • Legal frameworks addressing transnational environmental crimes

     • Case studies: Environmental destruction as a war crime

4. Capstone Project
   Duration: 6 months

   • A comprehensive research project focusing on a current issue in international criminal law, demonstrating the application of both theoretical and practical knowledge gained throughout the program.

   • The project will be supervised by faculty and may involve collaboration with international courts, NGOs, or governmental agencies.

5. Internship/Fieldwork
   Duration: 3-6 months (can be completed during or after the coursework)

   • Placement in an international criminal court, NGO, or relevant governmental institution, providing hands-on experience in international criminal law practice.

   • Students will be required to complete a report on their internship experience, analyzing the practical application of ICL principles and their personal development in the field.

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Assessment Methods:

• Written Examinations: To assess theoretical understanding of core principles and cases in international criminal law.

• Moot Court Simulations: Practical exams simulating international criminal trials, focusing on advocacy skills and procedural knowledge.

• Research Papers and Legal Drafting: Assessing analytical skills, research capabilities, and the ability to draft legal documents.

• Capstone Project: A final project evaluating students' ability to integrate theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a real-world context.

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Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of this program will:

1. Have a deep understanding of the international criminal law framework, including both substantive and procedural aspects.

2. Be equipped with the practical skills required for advocacy, legal drafting, and forensic investigation in international criminal cases.

3. Be able to navigate complex political and legal challenges in international criminal law practice.

4. Be capable of conducting independent legal research, drafting professional documents, and presenting cases effectively in international settings.

5. Have a thorough understanding of the role of international criminal law in transitional justice and post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

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Career Paths:

• International Criminal Court (ICC)

• International criminal law firms

• NGOs focused on human rights and criminal justice

• United Nations and other international organizations

• National governments' foreign policy or justice departments

• Academics and legal educators specializing in international criminal law

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This curriculum offers a well-rounded foundation for those looking to specialize in international criminal law at a professional level, with practical, hands-on experience and the necessary academic grounding.