University of Alberta Faculty of Business
Department of Marketing, Business Economics & Law
Winter Term 2003 BUSINESS LAW 444, B1 – International Business Transactions
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Douglas Peterson Time: MWF 9:00 – 9:50 Class Room: Bus 3-10
Office: 3-30T Business Building Telephone: 492-7985
Fax: 492-3325
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://courses.bus.ualberta.ca/blaw301-peterson Office
Hours: TBA COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course provides an overview of current international business patterns and the laws surrounding such patterns, with an emphasis on what makes them different from domestic ones. A major force underlying the internationalization of the world economy has been the rapid, sustained growth of international business, both in the traditional form of international trade and in the newer forms of multinational, global and transnational business.
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the major rules governing cross-border commercial transaction in the contexts of both substantive and procedural law.
In the context of procedural law, topics to be covered will include the choice of forum clauses in international contracts, the obtaining of evidence aboard and provisional remedies, sovereign immunity and international commercial arbitration.
The laws regulating international business transactions (IBT) can be found both in the sphere of public international law and in the domestic legal system of each state. We will examine the sources of public international law and the manner in which it is applied in the Canadian law system.
Very little will be covered in the way of Public International Law. Most of the relevant law in this area will be covered in International Business Law (Business Law 442). However, there may be some instances of overlap.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
1
2
(1) International Business Law, Text, Cases and Readings. 3rd Edition, Ray August, Prentice Hall (2) Course Notes: Provided on the class website
(3) Internet: The text has an INTERNET site that has excellent chapter notes for the student.
http://august1.com/pub
EVALUATION
• Midterm 40% Date: February 14 , 2003 (Will cover chapters 4, 10, 9 )
• Final 60% Date: T.B.A. (Will cover chapters 11, 12, 13) You will be graded in this course by means of your performance on two closed book
examinations based on the material in the text and the material presented in the lectures..
Examinations will be a combination of multiple choice and true/false questions on the textbook, handouts and material covered in class. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure they have all the required material.
Students are expected to write the examinations at the assigned times. Except in extenuating circumstances, no make-up exams will be given for missed midterms. If a student misses the mid-term examination due to illness (doctor’s note required) or other valid reason approved by the instructor, the weight of the mid-term will be added on to the final exam. If you must miss the final exam you can make arrangements to write a deferred final according to University Policy. You will be graded according to
University policy.
Deferred final exams will be arranged with the professor. Let me know if you have any questions.
It is my desire to be readily accessible to students. If you are having difficulty with any part of the course, please come and see me during the assigned office hours or by appointment. The best time to ask questions is after class. The best way to contact me is by email
LECTURES
The lectures will be in the following order:
Chapter 4 Chapter 10 Chapter 9 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13