Summer 2012 Residency
iMBA Law and Public Policy 759: The Law of International Business
Prof. Pat Cihon
513 Whitman School of Management
(315)443-1040 / 3647 office
EMAIL: PCIHON@SYR.EDU
WEBPAGE: http://myweb.whitman.syr.edu/pjcihon
REQUIRED TEXTS: International Business Law and Its Environment, 8th ed., by Schaffer, Agusti, Dhooge and Earle, published by South-Western/Cengage Learning
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.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: CLASS PARTICIPATION and a WRITTEN GROUP PROJECT.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Participation includes participation during class discussion during the residency and participation through the BlackBoard discussion board. 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. Participation also includes the discussion board — the frequency and quality of student contribution to discussions of posted questions will be considered.
CLASS PROJECT: Detailed information and description of the project will be distributed in class
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 Graduate Office (Suite 315). Completed statements will be kept on file in the Graduate Office.
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 the Liability of Air & Sea Carriers (Chap. 6)
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, Ch. 16, pps. 513-525)
B. Regulations of Exports: US Export Restrictions: Ch. 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)