Introduction to Business Law, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to international business law. The course begins with an overview of the legal framework for international business law. The second portion of the course deals with the international sale of goods and services on an international and comparative level. The third and final portion of the course deals with conflicts in international business relations and conflict resolution. 

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding:

Students must be able to

• explain and discuss possible strategies for conducting international business,
• explain and discuss the possibilities of protecting the business through intellectual property rights, as well as how data protection rules create demands on the business,
• explain and discuss key elements of general and specific contract law (sales and services) according to key international and national regulations, financing and security solutions, as well as insurance solutions and transportation contracts, 
• explain and discuss the possibilities of claiming payments and exercising rights as a creditor in bankruptcy within the EU, as well as the possibilities of mediation, dispute resolution, and international enforcement.

Skills and ability:

Students must be able to

• demonstrate skills and abilities in legal methodology in the form of finding and interpreting relevant legal sources and, within given time frames, being able to identify, formulate and solve legal problems in the above-mentioned areas of law,
• demonstrate basic skills and ability in oral and written presentation and legal argumentation in English,
• demonstrate the ability to work both individually and in collaboration with others. 

Judgement and approach:

Students must be able to 

• discuss issues such as ethics and sustainability in relation to international trade. 

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

Learning is supported by problem-based learning (PBL) and is mainly based on concrete case-based problems that students prepare and discuss in PBL groups before the seminar and then presented and discussed during seminars. Through lectures, subject areas are introduced or specific elements are given special attention. The oral and written skills training is mainly integrated with other teaching. The seminars are compulsory. 

The teaching during the course, including literature and examination, is done in English. 

The right to receive teaching, including supervision, is only valid for the duration of the course for which the student is registered. 

Examination modes

The examination is based on two parts: The compulsory parts of the course as specified in point 1 below, and a final written individual hall exam as specified in point 2 below. 

Point 1

• a. Active participation in seminars.
• b. Completion of oral and written presentation assignments. 

Point 2

• Completion of a final written individual hall exam. 

The final written individual hall exam is examined on the basis of specific assessment criteria given in advance. 

Grades etc.

To pass the entire course, a passing grade is required for all parts under points 1-2 above. For point 1, and the parts included therein, and point 2, only the grades Fail (U) and Pass (G) are given. 

For the entire course, one of the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG) is given. The grade for the entire course is based on the final written individual hall exam and is only given when all activities under points 1-2 above are completed. 

A student who does not pass the first examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a re-examination within two months. An additional examination opportunity is normally offered every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term. If required by specific circumstances, other form of examination can be used. 

A student that has failed an examination on two occasions has a right to have another examiner or grading teacher appointed, unless there are special reasons against it. A written request addressed to the Director of Studies should be made no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity. 

Adaptations

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 workdays before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified. 

Academic integrity and cheating

As a student, you are expected to act with academic integrity. This means writing and presenting within the limits of the acedemic rules and expectations communicated in the university's regulations and what is otherwise specified by the responsible department. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who use unauthorized aids or in some other way try to mislead on a test or when another type of task is being evaluated. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to written assignments. Submitted material may be subject to plagiarism control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research apply. 

Other regulations

Academic credit transfers are done according to the university credit transfer regulations.