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Program of Instruction

2010 Summer Institute Schedule

June 28: Program Registration and Book Distribution.
June 29: Orientation and Opening Reception; Introductory Lectures by Bernard Rudden, Oxford University Professor Emeritus: “Introduction to the Laws of Europe”; French language classes begin.
June 30: Introductory Lectures by Bernard Rudden, Oxford University Professor Emeritus, continued.
July 1: Introductory Lecture by Xavier Blanc-Jouvan, University of Paris I Professor Emeritus, on “Introduction to French Courts and Legal Professions.”
July 1-2: Private group visits to the Palais de Justice and the Conseil d'État, and an informal social in the Luxembourg Gardens. The introductory lectures and court visits are an integral part of the instructional program of the other courses in the Summer Institute; attendance therefore is required.
July 5: Instruction begins in individual courses.
July 5–6: Add/drop period.
July 14: No classes (Bastille Day).
July 17: Final exams for first-half one-credit courses.
July 29: final class day.
July 30–31: Examinations.
July 31: Closing reception.

**Please note that no examinations will be rescheduled to accommodate student travel.**
 
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Course Selection Guidelines

  • Students register for classes as a part of their initial application. There will be a two-day add/drop period, July 5–6.
  • A list of courses for 2010 is available here.
  • Students may enroll in up to six credit hours, although we recommend a slightly lower course load. Only a small percentage of students in the past have taken the maximum number of credit hours.
  • Students may take a total of only two credits per class period. See "Course Schedules" below for more details.
  • All courses are open to all admitted students, except Introduction to the American Legal System, which is available only to students who are not studying in a U.S. J.D. program. None of the courses require prerequisites.

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Course Schedules

  • Courses are offered for either one or two semester-hours credit.
  • Two-credit courses meet for eighteen 70-minute classes, Monday through Friday, except Bastille Day, July 14th.
  • The one-credit courses that meet in the first half of the program will be held every class day (except Bastille Day, July 14th) from Monday, July 5, through Friday, July 16, with examinations on Saturday, July 17.
  • The one-credit courses in the second half of the session will meet every class day from Monday, July 19, through Thursday, July 29.
  • One-credit courses in the second half and all two-credit classes will have examinations on Friday afternoon, July 30, and Saturday, July 31.

9:00–10:10 a.m.

  • Comparative Corporate Law and Governance (2 credits)
  • Comparative Law and Social Science (1 credit; July 5-16 classes; exam July 17)
  • Introduction to French Law (1 credit; July 19-29 classes)
  • Beginning French – Section One (non-credit)*
  • Intermediate French – Section One (non-credit)*

10:25–11:35 a.m.

  • International Commercial Arbitration (2 credits)
  • Comparative Legal Studies (1 credit; July 5-16 classes; exam July 17)
  • International Human Rights (1 credit; July 19-29 classes)
  • Beginning French – Section Two (non-credit)*
  • Intermediate French – Section Two (non-credit)*

11:50 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

  • Introduction to the American Legal System (2 credits; non-J.D. students only)
  • International Criminal Law (1 credit; July 5-16 classes; exam July 17)
  • Comparative Family Law (1 credit; July 19-29 classes)
  • Beginning French – Section Three (non-credit)*
  • Intermediate French – Section Three (non-credit)*

1:15 p.m.–2:25 p.m.

  • International Trade and Development Law (1 credit; July 19-29 classes)

*Students enrolled in Beginning or Intermediate French will be able to select the class meeting time that is most convenient for them, in light of their individual schedule. Please note that it will not be possible to enroll in a French language class if enrolled in a class during each of the three morning class periods.

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Course Credit Information

  • All courses, except Introduction to the American Legal System, qualify for credit toward the J.D. degree at Cornell and are recognized by most other J.D. programs in the U.S.
  • For those students previously or subsequently admitted to Cornell's LL.M. program, Summer Institute credits will apply toward the LL.M. at Cornell (consistent with ABA accreditation requirements), and may be recognized in other LL.M. programs in the United States.
  • Non-Cornell J.D. students should consult their dean of students or registrar to determine the amount of course credit allowed, and all J.D. students should note that it is unlikely that participation in the Summer Institute may be used to accelerate graduation; students interested in acceleration should consult their home schools to review this issue in light of ABA Standard 304.

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Language Instruction

Non-credit instruction in Beginning French and Intermediate French are available to students, as well as to persons accompanying them. Language classes will begin during the orientation/introductory lectures week, on June 29 and 30, and continue during the period of regular classroom instruction. Beginning July 5, the schedule will include one section of both Beginning and Intermediate French during each of the three morning class periods. You will be asked to select the session you prefer as a part of the application process.

Please Note: Students who enroll in a regular class during each of the three morning class periods (see course schedules, above) will not be able to enroll in a French language class. French language classes will conclude prior to July 29, the end of the law classes. Students in these classes receive a preference in attending dinners at Paris restaurants that are organized by the French language instructors.

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