Included is a survey of the sources, methodology, and major doctrines of international law, within the framework of an understanding of diverse jurisprudential approaches. Students will become familiar with international law's relation to United States domestic law and institutions, as well as with procedural aspects of international law involving international institutions, including the International Court of Justice. Comparative Law Comparative study of the origins, development, and characteristic features of the world's main legal systems with emphasis on the common and civil law traditions. The course offers basic information on the historical development of the main legal systems and their sources, ideologies, and techniques. The course may also acquaint students with some subjects of particular importance in international legal practice, such as international judicial assistance, application of foreign law in American courts, and application of American law in foreign courts.
Countries covered include France, Germany, China, Russia, South Africa and Palestine.
The course focuses on the manner in which private international sales, investment and licensing transactions are structutred to permit private businesses to minimize and plan for the risks associated with conducting business on a global scale. Regional trade organizations are also considered. Specific issues covered include tariff and non-tariff barriers, subsidies and courtervailing duties, dumping, safeguard proceedings and dispute settlement under WTO rules. This course will examine four categories of radically different cultures and focus on a specific jurisdiction within each of these four as a means of learning more about the relations between the law and society and the way law is currently evolving. This year we will explore the underground legal system of the Palestinians.