Courses

Course Descriptions

Note: ( ) The number in parentheses indicates semester hours of credit.
Required Courses
Students must take either U.S. Customs and Import Law [IBT 700] plus a 1-credit trade law course, International Trade Remedies Law [IBT 705], or Multinational Corporations Law [IBT 730].

Elective Courses

Administrative Law (3) IBT 703
Introduction to the law creating, structuring, empowering, and limiting administrative agencies, with an emphasis on the principles common to all administrative agency action; topics include administrative procedure, the scope of judicial review of administrative action and the relationship of administrative agencies to the political branches of government.

Admiralty Law (2) IBT 712
This course introduces students to general principles of admiralty and maritime law, including admiralty jurisdiction, carriage of goods by sea, bills of lading, the Jones Act and salvage law.

Aviation Law (2) IBT 747
This course addresses the broad spectrum of aviation legal matters focusing on numerous other categorical fields; procedure, administrative law, the law of torts and, to some extent, of contracts and international law. Special federal procedures applicable to aviation disasters; law affecting titles in aircraft; liability for injury to persons on the ground; aviation rights in air space above the land of another; duties of common carriers; the Federal Aviation Administration; the National Transportation Safety Board; the Civil Aeronautics Board; conflict of laws; aircraft piracy; treaties and other agreements; federal and state jurisdiction.

Business Aspects of Immigration Law (2) IBT 725
This course will introduce students to those aspects of United States immigration law they are likely to encounter in providing a full range of services to their international business clients. It will provide an introduction to immigration law generally, then focus upon the key legal aspects of business immigration issues.

Chinese Business and Investment Law (2,3) IBT 780
This course is a basic introduction to the economic aspects of the legal system of the People's Republic of China. Among topics covered will be the historical development of the Chinese legal system, as it influences today's business law system; the contemporary law of business structures in China; foreign investment law; issues of human rights linkage with business and trade; and China's place in the global trading system. In the event this course is offered with a study trip to China, an additional credit hour will be added to the course. The coverage focus of the additional hour will be determined at the same time the course is offered. When the course is offered in a three-credit format, the course number will be changed to IBT 781 to reflect that fact. No student will be permitted to take the course in both formats.

Commercial Law of the Arab Middle East (1) IBT 719
This course will explore current legal aspects of doing business in the Arab Middle East, as revealed in local laws, court/arbitral decisions, treatises and law review articles. Introductory classes will lay the foundation for further study, by examining the sources of Arab commercial law (Islamic, civil and even common law antecedents), and how Arab constitutions and civil codes 'prioritize' these sources of law. The course will examine specific examples of potential conflict between Western and Arab legal rules (including the classic Islamic law prohibition against interest on money, riba). Subsequent classes will build on this foundation, by looking at practical examples of business transactions involving the Arab Middle East, such as product sales through commercial agency and distributorship networks, and the special problems that may arise in a multinational company's contracts with Arab government entities.

Corporate Responsibility in the Asia-Pacific from Sydney to Hong Kong (1) IBT 799-U
Insolvency law reform in the Asian and Pacific region has become an important indicator of the region’s commercial modernization.  The course will compare and contrast the remedies available to lenders, trade creditors and investors in insolvent companies in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Thailand.  The remedies available to each type of creditor do differ and they may differ within each jurisdiction, but at the same time there are underlying similarities arising out of the common juridical ancestry of the common law countries.  The course assumes an understanding of U.S. Bankruptcy law and procedures, but is not intended to be U.S. Comparative law.

Current Issues in International Business and Trade Law (1,2,3) IBT 751
This seminar will explore contemporary issues relevant to international business and trade law. The seminar will utilize the talents of visiting faculty and experts in the field.

Drafting International Business Agreements (2) IBT 733
This course will focus on drafting international commercial contracts and various clauses in such contracts. The course will emphasize drafting, discussion of provisions drafted, building awareness of diverse drafting influences, the effects of these pre-drafting considerations on drafting, and review and discussion of selected international contracts and clauses currently in use. The pre-drafting considerations include the impact of selected international conventions, selected local-impact foreign laws, and selected U.S. laws on your drafting exercises. Students will also learn about various other pre-drafting influences on international contract drafting; gain an understanding of drafting options in selected situations; absorb many other drafting insights; and practice making thoughtful drafting decisions.

Eastern European Business and Investment Law (1,2,3) IBT 775
This course is an introduction to the economic aspects of the legal systems of Eastern Europe, comprising post-Communist countries of the former Soviet Union and the former Soviet sphere of influence. Although review of any one country will be limited, broad issues of property ownership, privatization, foreign investment licensing, joint ventures, and financing will be considered. In the event this course is offered with a study trip to Eastern Europe, an additional credit hour will be added to the course. The coverage focus of the additional hour will be determined at the same time the course is offered.

European Union Business and Investment Law (2,3) IBT 760
This course will address the nature and structures of the European Union, with particular reference to its substantive law of trade, investment, and economic development. In the event that this course is offered with a study trip to the European Union, an additional credit hour will be added to the course. The coverage focus of the additional hour will be determined at the same time the course is offered.

Foreign Investment Law (2) IBT 740
This course focuses upon federal and state efforts to monitor and regulate foreign investment in United States corporations, industries, and real property, and on foreign national regulations of, and limitations on, overseas foreign investment by United States entities.

Homeland Security (2) IBT 717
This course will examine how the defense against terrorism impacts the private sector. The course will explore the organization of the Department of Homeland Security including relevant statutes and related state laws. It will also expose students to a wide variety of issues including immigration, trade and transportation, privacy and environmental issues.

Independent Research in International Business and Trade (1,2,3) IBT 791
This course requires preparation of a publishable work of scholarship under the supervision of the LL.M. Program Director.

International Antitrust Issues (1) IBT 745
This course considers all major aspects of international antitrust law affecting United States business. This includes the Justice Department's international enforcement guidelines, issues of extraterritorial application of United States antitrust law, and the "effects" doctrine. International enforecment cooperation and European Union antitrust enforecment will also be discussed.

International Banking and Finance Law (2) IBT 735
This course addresses issues of banking and financial law in international private transactions. Topics include letters of credit, banking and bank secrecy regulation and practices, efforts to combat money laundering, and currency regulation.

International Business and Trade Law Externship (1,2) IBT 763
The IBT Externship is open to all IBT students who have graduated from the J.D. Program or have an equivalent foreign degree. Students are placed with law firms, corporations, and government agencies for the purpose of gaining first-hand experience in international business and trade law. A minimum of 120 hours' work on-site is required for one credit.

International Business Franchise Law (1,2,3) IBT 784
This course provides an introduction to the business franchise laws of a number of nations that regulate franchise sales, franchisor-franchisee relationships, and the operations of business franchise systems of domestic and international pedigree. Students interested in the business franchise laws and rulings of particular countries will have the opportunity to propose adjusting coverage of the course to include their special interests.

International Commercial Dispute Resolution (2) IBT 720 
This course explores legal and practical issues relating to the resolution of transnational business disputes through litigation or arbitration.  Topics addressed include jurisdiction to prescribe law, jurisdiction of courts, international commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration, enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards and the immunity of foreign states in United States courts.  Students will also participate in a simulated, international commercial arbitration exercise.

International Economic Development Law (2) IBT 770
This course reviews international calls for global economic development and public and private efforts to meet those calls. Within the context of the North-South debate, the course will consider approaches to international contracting and regulation of foreign involvement in economic development sectors, as well as development initiatives in the IMF, the World Bank, and the GATT/WTO.

International Employment Law (1,2) IBT 789
This course explores employment law issues that bridge national borders, particularly issues confronting multinational businesses, but also addressing labor unions, expatriates, and immigrants.

International Trade Remedies Law (3) IBT 705
This course covers United States and GATT/WTO rules of response to unfair trade practices and certain patterns of injurious, though fair, trade. Specific emphasis will be given to antidumping law, anti-subsidy law, escape clause and market disruption law, and actions under 19 U.S.C. sections 201 and 301.

Law and Practice before the U.S. Court of International Trade (1) IBT 706
This course will expose students to the unique rules of practice at the United States Court of International Trade. In addition, the course will cover, at an introductory level, the primary substantive areas of the Court’s jurisdiction. *Knowledge of federal civil procedure and import/export law recommended.

Legal Ethics In International Practice (1,2) IBT 749
As global legal practice grows, lawyers increasingly face complex issues of professional responsibility involving multiple national jurisdictions, unfamiliar legal systems, clients with different concepts of legal representation, and professional climates based upon sharply differing ethical expectations. This course explores these issues from the standpoint of ethical standards pertaining to United States lawyers.

Masters Class in International Economic Law and Practice (1) IBT 799
Masters classes will be offered on advanced topics in international economic law and practice by visiting and resident scholars. Typically, classes will be offered on an accelerated basis, such as a one-week session of three-hour evening classes, or in a two full-day format.

Recent topics offered under the Masters Class in International Economic Law and Practice have included European Union Governance and Regulation; South Asia Commercial Law; International Criminal Law; China and The World Trade Organization; Globalization, Human Rights and Labor Markets; International Business and Trade in Antiquities, Art and Cultural Property; and International Business and Trade in Agriculture; Law and Ethics in Global Business; Mergers and Acquisitions from an EU Perspective; Drafting International Business Agreements; International Commercial Arbitration; Law and Practice in Trade Compliance; European Company Law and Investor-State Arbitration under ICSID.

Multinational Corporations Law (3) IBT 730
This course covers issues of multinational corporate structures and the behavior and regulation of multinational corporations. Topics include joint ventures, approaches to regulating foreign direct investment, expropriations, and codes of conduct for multinational corporations.

NAFTA (2,3) IBT 765
This course will address the nature, structures, and substantive law of trade regulation, investment law, and economic development of the North American Free Trade Agreement. In the event that this course is offered with a study trip to a member nation of NAFTA, an additional credit hour will be added to the course. The coverage focus of the additional hour will be determined at the same time the course is offered.

Practicum in International Business and Trade Law (1,2,3,4) IBT 795
The practicum involves substantial work in some aspect of international business and trade law, performed in a law practice setting under the supervision of attorneys in private, corporate or government practice. Practicum assignments must be approved by the LL.M. Program Director in advance, and grading is on a "pass/fail" basis based upon an evaluation of the student's work.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the New International Norms (1) IBT 727
The focus of the course will be to provide a background into a rapidly developing area of law. Various aspects of a host of legal issues will be addressed, including international law, mutual legal assistance, criminal law, securities law, labor law, conflicts of law, contract law, and government procurement as well as a range of other legal regimes.

U.S. Commercial Law (3) IBT 715
This course will introduce international graduate students to the essential doctrines of United States corporate law. Students will begin with a study of agency, partnership, and corporate law, then move to a review of the principles and basic practices of United States securities law and antitrust law.

U.S. Customs and Import Law (2) IBT 700
This course deals with the basics of customs and import law and regulation. Topics discussed include import rules and procedures, tariff classification, valuation, free trade agreements, duty preference programs, rules of origin and marking rules. The course will explore the new age of trade security, corporate compliance and recordkeeping requirements. It will look at 337 Actions, administrative and judicial procedures for appealing adverse findings, and the process for handling penalties. Finally, the World Trade Organization and customs rules around the world will be considered.

U.S. Free Trade Agreements (2,3) IBT 766
This course will introduce students to various U.S. free trade agreements and the legal structure that supports them. Among the agreements the course will consider are the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Central America- Dominican Republic-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. Chile Free Trade Agreement, and the U.S. Singapore Free Trade Agreement. The course will address the roles of the executive and legislative branches and the U.S. Trade Representative in the creation and negotiation of free trade agreements. The course will also address the rules of origin and customs procedures, intellectual property protection, labor standards, environmental standards, various dispute resolution mechanisms, and the relationship between U.S. free trade agreements and the World Trade Organization.

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