International and Comparative Law

General Advice

In today’s increasingly integrated world, no lawyer can fail to consider the international legal issues arising in practice. Federal, State and local lawmakers, administrative agencies and courts now deal regularly with international issues.

The international law program offers a wide range of courses in public international law, comparative law, and international business and commercial law. Public international law involves the relations between nations at the governmental/diplomatic level. Courses in comparative law familiarize the student with different legal cultures and institutions and with techniques of researching and using foreign legal materials. Offerings in international business and commercial law largely concern business relations between private persons rather than governments.

Today, some exposure to international or comparative law should be part of a broad-based legal education. Students who wish to acquire somewhat greater depth in the area should consider the Certificate in International & Comparative Law.

The Certificate Program

Students who wish to complete a prescribed program of courses may obtain a Certificate in International and Comparative Law. The program is designed to give the student a broad foundation in international law within the context of a well-rounded legal education. The prescribed program involves at least 11 hours of credit to include each of five components: (1) International Law (2) either Regulation of Foreign Trade or Multinational Corporate Transactions (3) at least two credit hours in a course or seminar in comparative law (4) at least one international or comparative law seminar with a substantial writing requirement and (5) participation in an approved study abroad program. In exceptional cases, the director of the Certificate program may allow a student to substitute courses, such as European Union law, for participation in an approved study abroad program. Students may meet the third and fourth requirements by completing a single comparative law seminar with a substantial writing requirement.

Specific Courses/Frequency of Offering

• International Law (4 hrs.) (every year/day; occasional/evening)
  
• Regulation of Foreign Trade or Investment (3 hrs.) (every year/day; occasional/evening)
  
• Multinational Corporate Transactions (3 hrs.) (every year/day; occasional/evening)
  
• Comparative Law (2 hrs.) (every year/day or evening)
  
• Conflict of Laws (3 hrs.) (every year/day; alternating spring/evening)
  
• Admiralty (3hrs.) (alternating years day or evening)
  
• International Human Rights (3 hrs.) (alternating years/day or evening)
  
• International Tax (2 hrs.) (alternating years/day or evening)
  
• Introduction to European Union Law (2 hrs.) (alternating years/day)
  
• Mergers & Acquisitions under European Union Law (2 hrs.) (Most years/day)
  
• International Environmental Law (3 hrs.) (occasionally/day or evening)
  
• Jessup International Moot Court Competition (2hrs./academic year)

Seminars

The following list is representative of the seminars offered in recent years; the seminars are generally offered in late afternoon or evening; all are 2 hrs.

• International Commercial Arbitration
  
• New World Order
  
• International Trade Law: NAFTA
  
• Comparative Criminal Justice System
  
• Comparative Criminal Procedure
  
• Comparative Constitutional Law

Sequencing of Courses

The best foundation in international law can be found in the 4-credit course in International Law. Those destined for business-oriented practices might also consider taking Regulation of Foreign Trade or Investment or Multinational Corporate Transactions. The seminars in International Commercial Arbitration, International Trade Law, as well as the courses in Admiralty, International Tax and International Environmental Law are also relevant to a career in business. Students with a special interest in criminal law or human rights should consider the course in International Human Rights. Those interested in criminal law will also find some of the comparative seminars of interest. Seminars of a comparative nature generally satisfy both the seminar requirement and the humanities requirement for the J.D. degree. Finally, the Jessup International Moot Court competition provides the student with valuable exposure to international law and practice. The international and comparative law faculty will readily assist any student with course selection.

Extracurricular Programs

Students are encouraged to participate in the International Law Society, which provides a forum for student interest and opportunities for academic and practical experience in the international field.