INTERNATIONAL LAW SCHOOL
International and Comparative Law (Elective)
Course Descriptions
The list of courses and corresponding credit hours that appear below is not exhaustive and is subject to change. Availability of elective courses is based on the availability of instructors for the course. Core required courses and the hours of credit may be modified by faculty action.
Sufficient notice will be given to students of any such modifications. The total hours required for graduation will not be changed in any matter that delays or prejudices a student’s progress toward graduation.
Click 'Dropdowns' for more information
International and Comparative Law (Elective)
Law and Development (2 credits)
This course examines the role of law and the legal system in economic and social development in developing countries. This course explores how law can affect the development of a country and how the development of a country can affect its law.
This course examines the role of law and the legal system in economic and social development in developing countries. This course explores how law can affect the development of a country and how the development of a country can affect its law.
Advanced Refugee Law Seminar (2 credits)
This course addresses: The international origins of refugee law; international norms and comparative state practice; the role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; refugee protection in international law; and Refugee Law as practiced in the United States.
This course addresses: The international origins of refugee law; international norms and comparative state practice; the role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; refugee protection in international law; and Refugee Law as practiced in the United States.
Islamic Law (1 credit)
Unlike the American legal system, which is secular, Islamic law is of a religious nature. Islam is both a religion and a social order. As such, it comprises devotional obligation as well as rules regulating the civil and commercial relations among individuals, and these two types of rules are of divine origin. The origin and sources of Islamic Law, and various schools of Islamic jurisprudence will be discussed as an introduction to the course. The course will then explore several substantive areas of Islamic Law, including: constitutional law, international law, crimes and punishment, marriage, divorce and child custody, and succession and wills. There will be a study of various cases where Islamic law has been debated in American courts, whether as a foreign law in accordance with the rules of conflicts of law, or as a religious law that must be interpreted before the courts apply the American Law. This course will also address the Islamic legal traditions as well as regional case studies from different Muslim countries regarding human rights, women’s rights, and minority rights.
Unlike the American legal system, which is secular, Islamic law is of a religious nature. Islam is both a religion and a social order. As such, it comprises devotional obligation as well as rules regulating the civil and commercial relations among individuals, and these two types of rules are of divine origin. The origin and sources of Islamic Law, and various schools of Islamic jurisprudence will be discussed as an introduction to the course. The course will then explore several substantive areas of Islamic Law, including: constitutional law, international law, crimes and punishment, marriage, divorce and child custody, and succession and wills. There will be a study of various cases where Islamic law has been debated in American courts, whether as a foreign law in accordance with the rules of conflicts of law, or as a religious law that must be interpreted before the courts apply the American Law. This course will also address the Islamic legal traditions as well as regional case studies from different Muslim countries regarding human rights, women’s rights, and minority rights.
International Economic Law (3 credits)
In the international system, states have found themselves at increasing levels of cooperation and conflict over economic activity. This course will provide coverage of legal issues involving the International Monetary System including the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, the sovereign debt of developing countries, and the rise of the euro. The course will also focus on the law of transnational investment including changing perceptions of the rights of host states and multinational corporations. The course will also examine the use of economic sanctions including boycotts and embargoes as well as look at international aspects of competition policy and the World Trade Organization.
In the international system, states have found themselves at increasing levels of cooperation and conflict over economic activity. This course will provide coverage of legal issues involving the International Monetary System including the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, the sovereign debt of developing countries, and the rise of the euro. The course will also focus on the law of transnational investment including changing perceptions of the rights of host states and multinational corporations. The course will also examine the use of economic sanctions including boycotts and embargoes as well as look at international aspects of competition policy and the World Trade Organization.
Law of the European Union (3 credits)
This course will provide students with a historical overview of the European desire for regional integration as well as delve into the numerous legal issues associated with the formation, implementation, and present-day workings of the Union and its institutions. The course will examine the fascinating processes involved in creating a totally new legal system which has become a model, albeit imperfect, for integration. It will look into the constitutional mechanisms put in place to gird the Union and the modern-day issue of constitutionalism in the European context. Significant attention will also be paid to issues arising from the monetary union; the common market and internal market; competition policy; and the free movement of workers, goods, and capital. The course will also deal with topics on the Community’s foreign relations as well as specific Community policies on the environment, consumer protection, and equal rights.
This course will provide students with a historical overview of the European desire for regional integration as well as delve into the numerous legal issues associated with the formation, implementation, and present-day workings of the Union and its institutions. The course will examine the fascinating processes involved in creating a totally new legal system which has become a model, albeit imperfect, for integration. It will look into the constitutional mechanisms put in place to gird the Union and the modern-day issue of constitutionalism in the European context. Significant attention will also be paid to issues arising from the monetary union; the common market and internal market; competition policy; and the free movement of workers, goods, and capital. The course will also deal with topics on the Community’s foreign relations as well as specific Community policies on the environment, consumer protection, and equal rights.
International Environmental Law (2 credits)
The course presents the opportunity for consideration of environmental protection and policy in the international context, focusing on the identification and analysis of the major issues (resource and otherwise), the key legal principles, and the variety of approaches taken in addressing environmental concerns.
The course presents the opportunity for consideration of environmental protection and policy in the international context, focusing on the identification and analysis of the major issues (resource and otherwise), the key legal principles, and the variety of approaches taken in addressing environmental concerns.
Refugee/Asylum Law (2 credits)
This course provides an introduction to refugee issues as one of the options in international public law. It integrates theory, practice and legal counseling with the development of language competence and academic skills in the context of current refugee problems. The course consists of seminars, lectures on relevant topics and practical workshops. The workshops, which feature asylum procedures simulations, will use the team-teaching method with the assistance of professors, internationalists and refugee practitioners. They will also concentrate on domestic legal application in accordance with international instruments, refugee protection and case studies.
This course provides an introduction to refugee issues as one of the options in international public law. It integrates theory, practice and legal counseling with the development of language competence and academic skills in the context of current refugee problems. The course consists of seminars, lectures on relevant topics and practical workshops. The workshops, which feature asylum procedures simulations, will use the team-teaching method with the assistance of professors, internationalists and refugee practitioners. They will also concentrate on domestic legal application in accordance with international instruments, refugee protection and case studies.
Religious Freedom and International Law (1 credit)
The issues surrounding religious freedom have always engendered fierce debate since, for many, religion goes to the heart of one’s identity and worldview. History is replete with examples of religious intolerance with the many instances where religious groups have faced persecution and wars being fought along religious lines. Thus, it is not surprising to note that laws on religious freedom, both international and domestic, are a relatively recent phenomenon in the view of history. This short survey course will give students a foundation on the international legal basis for religious freedom as well as introduce some of the important debates surrounding this issue.
The issues surrounding religious freedom have always engendered fierce debate since, for many, religion goes to the heart of one’s identity and worldview. History is replete with examples of religious intolerance with the many instances where religious groups have faced persecution and wars being fought along religious lines. Thus, it is not surprising to note that laws on religious freedom, both international and domestic, are a relatively recent phenomenon in the view of history. This short survey course will give students a foundation on the international legal basis for religious freedom as well as introduce some of the important debates surrounding this issue.
Comparative Antitrust Law (2 credits)
This course will compare the United States, European, and Asian approaches to antitrust and trade regulation of business. Antitrust laws are designed to control the competitive practices and structure of industries. This course will examine the different ways countries deal with monopolization, price fixing, group boycotts, vertical restraints such as tie-ins and distribution restrictions, and mergers.
This course will compare the United States, European, and Asian approaches to antitrust and trade regulation of business. Antitrust laws are designed to control the competitive practices and structure of industries. This course will examine the different ways countries deal with monopolization, price fixing, group boycotts, vertical restraints such as tie-ins and distribution restrictions, and mergers.
Comparative Patent Law (2 credits)
This course will focus on understanding of basic concepts of patent law through exposure to the Korean and European Union patent law systems. The course is open to students who do not have any technical or legal backgrounds. The course will be taught in Korean.
This course will focus on understanding of basic concepts of patent law through exposure to the Korean and European Union patent law systems. The course is open to students who do not have any technical or legal backgrounds. The course will be taught in Korean.
International Intellectual Property (3 credits)
This course surveys the international systems for the creation, maintenance and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including the TRIPS agreements, the Berne Convention for Copyrights, the Paris Convention for Patent and Trademarks. Typical problems addressed include the means to access patent, copyright or trademark protection in a foreign country, the degree to which an intellectual property right recognized in one country may be enforced in another, and the general means of enforcement of intellectual property rights internationally. For the purpose of this course, previous exposure to some intellectual property rights courses is not required (though it will obviously be helpful). The law that is the subject of this course focuses on the aspects of international availability of rights, rather than the nature of the rights themselves. The course will begin with a brief introduction to the basics of trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret law necessary to understand the rest of the material.
This course surveys the international systems for the creation, maintenance and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including the TRIPS agreements, the Berne Convention for Copyrights, the Paris Convention for Patent and Trademarks. Typical problems addressed include the means to access patent, copyright or trademark protection in a foreign country, the degree to which an intellectual property right recognized in one country may be enforced in another, and the general means of enforcement of intellectual property rights internationally. For the purpose of this course, previous exposure to some intellectual property rights courses is not required (though it will obviously be helpful). The law that is the subject of this course focuses on the aspects of international availability of rights, rather than the nature of the rights themselves. The course will begin with a brief introduction to the basics of trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret law necessary to understand the rest of the material.
Seminar on Human Rights in Latin American (2 credits)
This course focuses on human rights issues in Latin American and the international mechanisms that exist to protect fundamental rights. The course seeks to establish an open dialogue and promote critical thinking among students on relevant issues and tensions concerning the protection of human rights. The key objectives of this seminar are: to explore the foundation and development of the human rights movement in Latin America; to clarify the concept of ‘active and informed citizenship’ beyond national borders; and to offer a general introduction to Latin American political culture and its relevance to understanding Latin American history and prospects for social and economic development in the region.
This course focuses on human rights issues in Latin American and the international mechanisms that exist to protect fundamental rights. The course seeks to establish an open dialogue and promote critical thinking among students on relevant issues and tensions concerning the protection of human rights. The key objectives of this seminar are: to explore the foundation and development of the human rights movement in Latin America; to clarify the concept of ‘active and informed citizenship’ beyond national borders; and to offer a general introduction to Latin American political culture and its relevance to understanding Latin American history and prospects for social and economic development in the region.
International Human Rights (3 credits)
This course examines international law pertaining to the protection of human rights. It will focus on the nature of human rights, on the obligations of all states to observe and promote human rights and on the enforcement mechanisms in place to protect human rights.
This course examines international law pertaining to the protection of human rights. It will focus on the nature of human rights, on the obligations of all states to observe and promote human rights and on the enforcement mechanisms in place to protect human rights.
International Organizations (3 credits)
This course is intended to give students an introductory working knowledge of the various international organizations that affect the international system including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and International Labor Organization, etc.
This course is intended to give students an introductory working knowledge of the various international organizations that affect the international system including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and International Labor Organization, etc.
International Business and Trade Law Seminar (2 credits)
There are two common ways of approaching the wide spectrum of international business law, international trade law, international economic law and international transactions courses. The first is to focus on transactions and the related technical issues, and is often called “International Business Transactions” or “International Business Law”. The second approach emphasizes the regulatory and institutional framework governing the economic activities that cross borders, and is often called “International Trade Law”. This seminar focuses on the practice of selected international business and trade law topics.
There are two common ways of approaching the wide spectrum of international business law, international trade law, international economic law and international transactions courses. The first is to focus on transactions and the related technical issues, and is often called “International Business Transactions” or “International Business Law”. The second approach emphasizes the regulatory and institutional framework governing the economic activities that cross borders, and is often called “International Trade Law”. This seminar focuses on the practice of selected international business and trade law topics.
International Trade Law (2 credits)
This introductory course on international trade law deals with the institutional and substantive law of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
This introductory course on international trade law deals with the institutional and substantive law of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
International Commercial Arbitration (3 credits)
This course is a skills course that employs an actual international case scenario, and through a series of interactive DVD presentations, and textual information, helps the students learn the practical skills of conducting an actual arbitration. Some additional information is provided on alternative forms of international commercial dispute resolution; namely through comparison of mediation, and the international litigation avenues, and so the course inevitably includes some valuable information on jurisdiction issues, choice of law, commercial contract drafting, handling and gathering evidence, case style and presentation, and enforcement and recognition of foreign judgments and arbitral awards. The course integrates various subjects for the purpose of actually learning how to arbitrate an international commercial case.
This course is a skills course that employs an actual international case scenario, and through a series of interactive DVD presentations, and textual information, helps the students learn the practical skills of conducting an actual arbitration. Some additional information is provided on alternative forms of international commercial dispute resolution; namely through comparison of mediation, and the international litigation avenues, and so the course inevitably includes some valuable information on jurisdiction issues, choice of law, commercial contract drafting, handling and gathering evidence, case style and presentation, and enforcement and recognition of foreign judgments and arbitral awards. The course integrates various subjects for the purpose of actually learning how to arbitrate an international commercial case.
