The International Business Law Track is designed to give students specialized preparation for practice in the rapidly changing global business community. Approximately one-third of the credits required for graduation must be in international business law courses. The remaining two-thirds of the course work of the track is outside international business law, thereby ensuring students substantial breadth in their professional training. This track is no longer available to students who have matriculated after Fall 2005. Students matriculating after Fall 2005 interested in this specialization are strongly encouraged to pursue the International Business Law Sequence, which will allow students the flexibility to take anywhere from 14 to 31 credits in this area of interest, but unlike the Specialty Tracks, will not have the additional obligation of writing a thesis.
The course requirements for the International Business Law Track are as follows:
International Business Economics and Law is designed to provide International Business track students with an analytical framework, based on microeconomic theory, for studying law and policy questions relating to international trade issues. Topics covered include comparative advantage and the gains from trade, patterns of trade, the effects of tariffs, subsidies and other trade laws, balance of payments issues, exchange rate determination, and industrial policy.
International Law considers traditional public international law issues and analyzes them in an economic and game-theoretic perspective. Emphasis is on basic concepts of public international law, including sources and evolution of international law; relation of international law to municipal law; subjects of international law; peaceful settlement of disputes; international agreements; jurisdictional competence; state responsibility and treatment of aliens; the use of force; and the evolving role of international organizations. International Trade Law and Regulation covers trade law, principally American law and the related international regime. Topics include separation of powers in trade policy matters; trade agreements, tariffs, classification, and valuation; statutory import remedies (e.g., "retaliation", unfair imports, anti-dumping/countervailing duties); and export licensing, promotion, and controls. It also examines the mechanisms related to regulating international business and trade (e.g., GATT).
International Commercial Transactions treats a variety of forms of international contract (including sales of goods, currencies, securities, loans, joint ventures, and distributorships) and related judicial and arbitration procedures. Decisions of tribunals in common law and civil law jurisdictions are comparatively considered to present a range of issues arising in contemporary practice.
European Union Law reviews major legal aspects of the European market institutions and operations with emphasis on attaining an integrated market. International Business Track Thesis requires the student to develop, expand, and refine a research paper into an article suitable for publication in a law journal.
International Business Track Thesis requires the student to develop, expand, and refine a research paper into an article suitable for publication in a law journal.
Note: The following schedules are illustrative of
the general order in which students should take the
courses. Some courses might not be offered during
the semesters indicated in these schedules, so be
sure to check with the Records Office for a current
schedule of courses.
Day Division
Evening Division
First Year - Fall
First Year - Fall
Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis I
2
Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis I
2
Torts I
3
Torts I
3
Contracts I
3
Contracts I
3
Property
4
Economic Foundations of Legal Studies
3
Economic Foundations of Legal Studies
3
Total
15
Total
11
First Year - Spring
First Year - Spring
Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis II
2
Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis II
2
Torts II
3
Torts II
3
Contracts II
3
Contracts II
3
Civil Procedure
4
Civil Procedure
4
Criminal Law
3
Total
15
Total
12
Second Year - Fall
Second Year - Fall
Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis III
2
Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis III
2
Constitutional Law I
4
Constitutional Law I
4
Business Associations
4
Property
4
Conflict of Laws
3
Int'l Business Economics and Law
2
Int'l Business Economics and Law
2
Total
15
Total
12
Second Year - Spring
Second Year - Spring
Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis IV
2
Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis IV
2
Administrative Law
3
Administrative Law
3
International Trade Law & Regulation
3
Criminal Law
3
Constitutional Law II*
2
Constitutional Law II*
2
Income Tax
4
Total
14
Total
10
Third Year - Fall
Third Year - Fall
Comparative Law
3
Business Associations
4
European Union Law
2
International Commercial Transactions
2
International Business Track Thesis
2
Conflict of Laws
3
International Commercial Transactions
2
International Law
3
International Law
3
Professional Responsibility
2
Total
14
Total
12
Third Year - Spring
Third Year - Spring
Antitrust
3
Income Tax
4
Electives
8-9
Int'l Trade Law and Regulation
3
Total
11-12
Antitrust
3
Total
10
Fourth Year - Fall
International Business Track Thesis
2
Comparative Law
3
European Union Law
2
Professional Responsibility
2
Electives
2-3
Total
11-12
Fourth Year - Spring
Electives
8-9
Total Hours:
84
Total Hours:
84
* Note: Constitutional Law II is a requirement for students who entered law school in Fall 2003. This means that it is first required in Spring 2005.
George Mason law students may, in the alternative, choose to pursue the International Business Law Sequence. This sequence is designed for students who wish to gain a solid foundation in international business law, but who also wish to have more flexibility in their course of study.
In order to complete the International Business Law Sequence, students must complete the following international business courses:
| Course | Credit Hours |
| International Business Economics and Law | 2 |
| International Commercial Transactions | 2 |
| International Law | 3 |
| International Trade Law and Regulation | 3 |
| European Union Law | 3 |
One of the following electives: Comparative Law; Multinational Intellectual Property and Policy Seminar; European Union Law; Conflict of Laws.
