Trying Saddam Hussein: Teaching International Law Through an Undergraduate Mock Trial

Efforts to enhance the quality of teaching and better engage undergraduate students have resulted in a noticeable shift toward active and problem-based learning techniques. This essay examines a multi-week, in-depth simulation designed for my upper-division international law course in which students assumed roles in a mock war crimes trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. It seeks to accomplish three goals. First, I wish to provide ideas for those interested in moving away from lecture-oriented teaching techniques and toward a more interactive, hands-on experience for their students by outlining an example of a successful, undergraduate mock trial. Second, I hope to make the case that mock trial exercises are especially suited for the international law classroom. Finally, the essay provides practical advice to instructors by exploring a number of issues involved in designing, running, and assessing a mock trial.