Spring 2013
Law & Public Policy 459/ Supply Chain Management 459: Law for Global Business
Sec. M001: Monday & Wednesday, 12:45 – 2:05, Room 304 WSOM
Prof. Pat Cihon
513 Whitman School of Management
(315)443-1040 / 443-3647 office
EMAIL: PJCIHON@SYR.EDU
WEBPAGE: http://myweb.whitman.syr.edu/pjcihon/
OFFICE HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. I am also available right before and right after class, and other times by appointment: see me right before or after class, or contact me by Email (pcihon@syr.edu).
REQUIRED TEXTS: International Business Law and Its Environment, 8th ed., by Schaffer, Agusti, Dhooge and Earle, published by South-Western / Cengage Learning. It is available at the Syracuse University Bookstore — you must have the 8th edition.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will examine the laws, regulations, principles and organizations that influence the transaction of international business. Topics covered will include the general international legal environment, U.S. trade law and international trade law, the regulation of the international marketplace, and the legal instruments regulating international sales and commercial transactions.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE USE OF LAPTOP COMPUTERS, BLACKBERRIES, CELL PHONES, PDA’S, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING CLASS IS PROHIBITED.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 1 MIDTERM AND A FINAL EXAM, CLASS PROJECT, WRITING ASSIGNMENTS, AND CLASS PARTICIPATION.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Participation in class discussions is expected and required. Students are expected to have read the assigned material thoroughly before class in order to facilitate class discussion; students are strongly encouraged to brief the cases contained in the assigned material prior to each class. Class participation may account for up to 10% of a student’s grade for the course.
EXAMS: There will be one midterm exams and one final exam. The exams will be essay format exams. The midterm exam will be given during the class period, and will account for 25% of a student’s grade for the course; the final exam will account for at least 25%. The class project will account for 25%, and writing assignments will account for 15% and class participation will account for 10%. The final exam will be given during the regularly scheduled final exam period. Please make travel plans accordingly.
CLASS PROJECT: Detailed information and description of the project will be distributed early in the semester.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: There will be a number of writing assignments, either done in-class or as take-home assignments. The main purpose of the writing assignments is to develop reasoning and analytical skills, and to improve writing skills, all of which will required on the exams (and for a successful career!). The writing assignments will account for 15% of a student’s grade for the course.
USE OF STUDENT WRITTEN WORK: Copies of student written work may be used for teaching evaluation and assessment; any student work so used will be rendered anonymous through removal of identification of the originator of the work. Any students objecting to such use of their work should notify the instructor.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: The faculty of the School of Management has adopted an Academic Integrity Policy emphasizing that honesty, integrity, and respect for others are fundamental expectations in our School. The Policy requires all students who take SOM courses to certify in writing that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with the Academic Integrity Policy. SoM undergraduate students should have completed a certification statement. All non-SOM undergraduate students enrolled in this course are also required to complete a certification statement available in the Undergraduate Office (Suite 215). Completed statements will be kept on file in the Undergraduate Office.
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY: University regulations provide that requirements and policies concerning nonattendance are established by instructors of each course. Class attendance is expected. It is recognized that there may be occasions when students are required to be off campus for some class meetings; in those instances, students should inform me in advance whenever possible. Students who miss class are responsible for all material covered, and are responsible for making up any missed assignments. Absences due to medical conditions or because of required participation in university-sanctioned activities will be excused, upon presentation of appropriate documentation substantiating the reason for the absence.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. To develop critical thinking and reasoning skills to analyze the business implications of legal decisions and the legal implications of business decisions, and the ethical implications of both.
2. To demonstrate understanding of principles and critical thinking and reasoning abilities through oral and written communications.
3. To understand key legal principles affecting international business, including contracts, sales, trade law, and international dispute resolution procedures.
4. To appreciate the relationship of U.S. state and federal law and regulation, the laws of other nations, and regional and international law and regulation affecting international business.
5. To develop an awareness of the various international and regional entities and organizations that affect international business and trade.
COURSE OUTLINE:
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
A. Introduction to International Business (Chap. 1)
B. International Law and Organizations (Chap. 2)
C. The Resolution of International Disputes (Chap. 3)
II. INTERNATIONAL SALES, CONTRACTS AND COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS
A. Sales Contracts and Excuses for Nonperformance (Chap. 4)
B. The Documentary Sale and Terms of Trade (Chap. 5)
C. Bank Collections, Trade Finance and Letters of Credit (Chap.7)
D. The Carriage of Goods and Carrier Liability (Chap. 6)
************************** MIDTERM EXAM ************************
III. INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TRADE LAW
A. National Lawmaking Powers and the Regulation of U.S. Trade (Chap.8; and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act material, pps. 513-525) B. The Regulation of Exports –U.S. Law (Chap. 13) C. GATT Law and the WTO: Basic Principles (Chap. 9)
D. Laws Governing Access to Foreign Markets (Chap. 10) E. Regulating Import Competition and Unfair Trade (Chap.11)
F. Imports, Customs and Tariff Law (Chap. 12)
G. North American Free Trade Law (Chap. 14)
H. The E.U. and Other Regional Trade Areas (Chap. 15)
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********** FINAL EXAM DATE: AS SCHEDULED , THURSDAY MAY 2ND, 12:45 – 2:45 IN ROOM 304 WSOM ***********
PLEASE MAKE TRAVEL PLANS ACCORDINGLY!