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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "LAW 323-2"
COURSE NAME: "International Business Law"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Teresa Triglia
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course deals with legal aspects of international business transactions. The course introduces students to issues in international commerce, including requirements of a contract, international shipping terms, and liability of air and ocean carriers. The course will examine international and U.S. trade law, including GATT 1994, and the regulation of imports and exports. Finally, the course will familiarize students with various areas of regulation of international business, such as competition law, employment discrimination law, and environmental law.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will start with the development of international law, the Convention on contracts for the International Sale of Goods and the main issue on international sales contracts (validity and formation of international sales contracts, warranty provisions, remedies for breach of contract, events beyond the control of the parties). It will, then, afford the following topics: the bill of lading, shipping terms and the risk of loss; the liability of international air carriers and liability for the carriage of goods by sea; the documentary letter of credit; import barriers to trade, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the World Trade Organization and the major principles of trade law (non-discrimination, most-favored-nation trade and national treatment); dumping and antidumping duties, unfair import laws (subsidies and countervailing duties); the administration of customs and other customs laws affecting U.S. imports; export controls (mechanics of the law, diversion and enforcement); general directions of labor law abroad, employment discrimination outside the U.S. and ethical issues in the employment of persons abroad; international antitrust law its basic regulatory framework and the distinctions of non-U.S. competition law; and the legal environment of foreign direct investment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able:

·      To identify  the basic laws and principles of international business law. In particular, to understand the development of international law and the formation, validity and performance of international sales contracts.

·      To understand and apply properly legal concepts to issues regarding international business transactions and legal documentation.

·      To select the most appropriate legal organization, legal assistance in a particular area or for a particular purpose.

·      To have awareness about the strategies to mitigate the legal risks while maximizing the competitiveness advantages of firms along with sustainable development awareness.

·      To demonstrate professional English communication skills by conducting oral presentations, leading group discussions, reading case law, and submitting well-structure essays.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class Preparation & ParticipationThe course will be highly interactive. This grade will be based on the quality of the students preparation, analysis of assigned texts and contribution to the class discussion.10%
MID-TERM ExamClosed book35%
FINAL ExamClosed book35%
Homework AssignmentsCases and chapter questions will be assigned throughout the semester. In order to receive credit, these assignments must be uploaded on Moodle by the due date.20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

AS NOTED, THIS COURSE IS HIGHLY INTERACTIVE. IF A STUDENT IS NOT PRESENT, HE/SHE CANNOT LEARN AND MORE IMPORTANT, CANNOT ADD HIS/HER UNIQUE THOUGHTS AND INSIGHT TO THE DISCUSSION. ABSENCES OR TARDINESS JEOPARDIZE THAT PART OF THE GRADE WHICH IS BASED CLASS PREPARATION AND PARTICIPATION GRADE.

THE UNIVERSITY'S ATTENDANCE POLICY IS DESCRIBED IN THE CATALOGUE.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

A detailed course schedule will be posted on Moodle.

Part One: The Legal Environment of International Business

·      Introduction to International Business

·      International Law and the World’s Legal Systems

Part Two: International Sales, Credits and the Commercial Transaction

·      The Formation and Performance of Contracts for the Sale of Goods

·      The Documentary Sale and Terms of Trade

·      Legal Issues in International Transportation

·      Bank Collections, Trade Finance and Letters of Credit

Part Three: International and US Trade Law

·      The World Trade Organization:  Basic Legal Concepts

·      Regulating Import Competition and Unfair Trade

·      Imports, Customs and Tariff Law

·      Export Controls and Sanctions

Part Four: Regulation of the International Marketplace

·      The Legal Environment of Foreign Direct Investment

·      Labor and Employment Discrimination Law