Introduction to the Laws of Europe
European Professor: B. Rudden
This introductory series of lectures examines the origins and development of the legal systems in continental Europe and draws comparisons between these systems and the common law. These lectures do not carry separate credit, but attendance by all enrolled students is required, as part of the regular courses.
Introduction to French Courts and Legal Professions
European Professor: X. Blanc-Jouvan
This introductory lecture/court visit series is designed to familiarize students with the structure and organization of the French courts, as well as the actors in the French legal profession, including avocats, notaires, prosecutors and judges (in the ordinary courts and the administrative courts). It culminates with visits to the Palais de Justice (home of the Cour de cassation) and to the Conseil d’État. This lecture/visit series does not carry separate credit, but attendance at the lecture and at the courts is required of all students, and attendance at the lecture is required of all students.
International Trade and Development Law (6049)
(1 credit)
Cornell Professor: C. Thomas
The course focuses on the intersection of two key objectives of the international order and international economic law: (1) the promotion of rules for the stabilization and liberalization of international trade; and (2) the encouragement of economic growth and development in poor countries. The course will focus on the central multilateral trade organization, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), as well as regional and bilateral trading systems. The themes of the course will be explored through a high-profile recent case studies and current controversies.
Comparative Corporate Law and Governance (6011)
(2 credits)
Cornell Professor: J. Hanks
This course examines fundamental issues of corporation law and governance in the United States, the European Union and selected countries in Europe and around the world. It considers corporate governance structures, including the roles of equity investors, creditors, employees, and other stakeholders, legal capital rules, corporate domicile, standards for managerial conduct, conflict of interest transactions, takeovers, and the growing trans-nationalization of corporate governance principles. Emphasis is given to the universality of business problems in an increasingly globalized economy, the range of legal solutions to these problems, and the practical application of varying legal principles. A basic business organizations course is not a prerequisite to taking this course.
Comparative Family Law (6021)
(1 credit)
Cornell Professor: C. Bowman
After a brief overview of U.S. family law, this course will address a number of issues from a comparative perspective, including family structure (Western Europe, Japan, India, U.S.); family law in post-colonial Africa (marriage in a plural legal system, Islamic marriage, polygamy, conflicts with constitutional guarantees of equality, etc.); religion and the law of marriage and divorce (Indonesia, Ireland, U.S., Israel); cohabitation and gay marriage (U.S., Canada, Western Europe); international human rights, cultural pluralism and children. In addition to the instructor, Cynthia Bowman, who has extensive knowledge of U.S. and African family law, external speakers from European Union countries will address the class.
Comparative Law and Social Science (6624)
(1 credit)
Cornell Professor: V. Hans
This course examines the use of social science in law from a comparative perspective. In common law countries, and especially in the United States, social scientists have been testifying as experts in courts in increasing numbers. Hired by one side or the other within the common law’s adversary trial, social science experts advise judges and juries on a broad range of topics, including eyewitness testimony, psychological disorders, race and gender discrimination, community standards, tort liability, and the death penalty. Judges and juries must often weigh the testimony of dueling experts to resolve cases. In contrast, in the civil law tradition, judges rather than the parties select and commission experts. This course will critically evaluate divergent approaches to the use of social science expertise. We will examine the employment of social science experts in legal cases in multiple countries, asking how diverse legal procedures and legal cultures affect the use and impact of social science.
International Criminal Law (6045)
(1 credit)
Cornell Professor: J. Ohlin
This course will be an introduction to the field of international criminal law. Topics covered will include the creation and jurisdiction of the ad hoc international criminal tribunals and the permanent International Criminal Court; the core crimes of international criminal law: genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes; and modes of liability such as command responsibility and joint criminal enterprise. Readings will include cases from the ad hoc tribunals as well as secondary materials from scholars.
International Commercial Arbitration (6031)
(2 credits)
Cornell Professor: J. Barceló
A study of arbitration as the dominant dispute resolution process for international trade and business disputes, the course addresses each of the principal stages of the arbitration process: (1) enforcing the agreement to arbitrate; (2) selecting arbitrators; (3) arbitral proceedings; (4) court enforcement of arbitral awards.The course studies international commercial arbitration as a transnational system, drawing on legislation, cases, arbitral awards, institutional rules, and treaties from all parts of the world.It stresses the two principal legal instruments unifying this field on a world scale: (1) the U.N. Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and (2) the U.N. Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration.The course also emphasizes arbitration under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which is headquartered in Paris, one of the world’s leading centers of international arbitration.
Comparative Legal Studies (6042)
(1 credit)
Cornell Professor: M. Lasser
This course introduces students to the study of foreign legal systems. Focusing on Continental Europe, it will provide a broad overview of the institutional and conceptual organization of the "civil law." In addition to studying different approaches to private law and procedure, criminal procedure, administrative law and constitutional law, the course will examine the effectiveness of assorted comparative methodologies.
Introduction to French Law (6052)
(1 credit)
Cornell Professor: C. Germain; European Professor: X. Blanc-Jouvan
Introduction to the French legal system from a comparative law perspective, with a focus on civil law methodology and French legal institutions. Topics studied include French law sources and authorities, such as legislation, court decisions, and scholarly writings; the main divisions of law--public law vs. private law, droit civil vs. commercial law, etc. They also include a brief introduction to the main branches of law: constitutional law, administrative law, contracts, civil and criminal procedure.
International Human Rights (6071)
(1 credit)
Cornell Professor: M. Ndulo
This course examines the development and effectiveness of international law governing a state’s treatment of individuals within its jurisdiction.Topics include political and civil rights, economic, social, and cultural rights, minority rights, and international criminal law.The course will also examine different mechanisms for implementing human rights, including the UN system, treaty bodies, regional institutions, and national courts.
Introduction to the American Legal System (6091)
(2 credits; non-J.D. students only)
Cornell Professor: F. Rossi
This course surveys the American legal system, with emphasis on civil litigation and the court system of the United States, including: distinctive features of the American legal system; the anatomy of a civil action; the role of lawyers and judges in the adversary system; the structure of the American Constitution; the doctrine of judicial review; jurisdiction; pretrial discovery; the jury trial and judgments; and exposure to basic principles of American tort, contract, administrative, and criminal law.
Beginning French
(non-credit)
French Instructor: C. Bédard-Claret
These classes are designed for students who have taken no French at all or who have taken less than two semesters at the high school level (one semester in college).There are no homework assignments and no examinations. The course includes excursions to restaurants and other outings to fully immerse students into French culture. Students may change to Intermediate French, if necessary, on or before July 2, 2010, which is also the last date to withdraw from the language class and receive a refund of the $450 fee.
Intermediate French
(non-credit)
French Instructor: C. Casanova
These classes are designed for students with a year or more of French, even if taken years ago. It is not an advanced language class, however, so persons with basic competency in French might find that it is not sufficiently challenging. There are no homework assignments and no examinations.The course includes excursions to restaurants and other outings to fully immerse students into French culture. Students may change to Beginning French, if necessary, on or before July 2, 2010, which is also the last date to withdraw from the language class and receive a refund of the $450 fee.
Students may take a total of only two credits per class period. No one may register for more than a total of 6 credits (due to the work load, we do not recommend taking six credits; only a small percentage of students in the past have done so).
Also, please note that the French classes are open to non-students, if they are accompanying an enrolled student. Arrangements may be made to enroll non-students in the French classes either as a part of a student’s initial application process, or at the time the program begins in Paris.
