Canadian & World Studies · Grade 12

Active learning ideas

International Criminal and Humanitarian Law

This topic challenges students to consider one of the most difficult questions in global affairs: how can we limit the brutality of war and hold the powerful accountable?

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• Ontario Curriculum: CLN4U - C. Legal Issues

• 60–90 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Case Study Analysis
• 90 min · Small Groups

ICC Case Study Analysis

In small groups, students research a specific case before the International Criminal Court or another tribunal (e.g., ICTY, ICTR). They prepare a presentation outlining the alleged crimes, the legal challenges, and the final verdict or current status of the case.

Explain the purpose and core principles of international humanitarian law.

Facilitation Tip

Provide a structured template for the case study to guide student research and ensure all key aspects are covered.

What to look for

An exit ticket asking students to explain the principle of complementarity in their own words and provide one reason why a country might not join the ICC.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Self-Management

Activity 02

• Case Study Analysis
• 75 min · Whole Class

Humanitarian Law in Action Simulation

Students participate in a role-playing simulation of a conflict scenario where they must make decisions as soldiers, civilians, or humanitarian aid workers based on the principles of IHL. Following the simulation, the class debriefs the choices made and their legal and ethical implications.

Analyse the jurisdiction and function of the International Criminal Court in prosecuting international crimes.

Facilitation Tip

Use pre-made scenario cards from organizations like the Canadian Red Cross to ensure accuracy and focus.

What to look for

A research essay or multimedia presentation evaluating the effectiveness of a specific international tribunal (e.g., ICTR, ICTY, or the ICC) in achieving its mandate of justice and reconciliation.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• Formal Debate
• 60 min · Whole Class

Formal Debate: Is the ICC Effective?

Students are divided into two teams to debate the effectiveness of the International Criminal Court. They must use evidence from past cases, criticisms from non-member states, and arguments from supporters to build their case.

Evaluate the effectiveness of international tribunals in achieving justice for victims of war crimes and genocide.

Facilitation Tip

Encourage students to focus not just on convictions, but also on the ICC's role in deterrence and promoting the rule of law.

What to look for

A mock trial brief where students act as either the prosecution or defence for a fictional individual accused of war crimes, using principles of IHL and the Rome Statute to build their arguments.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin by grounding the abstract legal concepts in concrete historical events like the Holocaust or the Rwandan Genocide, which created the political will for these institutions. Use case studies to illustrate the complex principles of jurisdiction and complementarity. Encourage critical thinking by presenting both the successes and the significant criticisms levelled against international tribunals.

Students will be able to analyse the legal frameworks governing armed conflict and critically evaluate the institutions designed to enforce them.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• The International Criminal Court can prosecute any world leader for any crime.

  The ICC's jurisdiction is limited. It can only prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression, and generally only if the accused is a national of a member state, the crime occurred in a member state, or the case was referred by the UN Security Council.

• International law has a global police force to arrest war criminals.

  There is no global police force. The ICC and other tribunals rely entirely on the cooperation of individual countries to carry out arrests, gather evidence, and enforce sentences. This is a major challenge to their effectiveness.

• The Geneva Conventions are only about protecting soldiers and prisoners of war.

  While protecting combatants is a key part, the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols provide extensive and fundamental protections for civilians, medical personnel, aid workers, and others not participating in hostilities.

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Methods used in this brief

• Case Study Analysis
• Formal Debate