Curriculum

U.S.-China Trade Issues under the World Trade Organization

(1 credit), taught by C. Donald Johnson, Director, Dean Rusk Center, University of Georgia School of Law.

This course examines legal issues surrounding the bilateral trade relationship between the United States and China within the framework of their mutual obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Among the topics to be covered are i) an overview of the WTO legal system and the principle agreements governing the U.S.-China trade relationship; ii) a brief history of the development of U.S.-China trade and China's entry into the WTO; iii) a review of the obligations and commitments of each country under the WTO; iv) a review of the monitoring and enforcement actions since China's WTO accession; and v) a review of U.S. and Chinese domestic trade law remedies. Several guest speakers will include lawyers from the U.S. Embassy and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. There will be fourteen 50-minute class meetings (five per week, with a one hour exam).

Introduction to the Chinese Legal System

(1 credit), taught by Professors Wang Chenguang and Wang Zhenmin of Tsinghua University School of Law, Beijing, China.

This course examines the basic legal framework and institutions of the Chinese legal system. The topics will be divided into four subject areas: i) an introduction to Chinese legal history, hierarchy of laws, and legal institutions; ii) Chinese constitutional law, including implementation, governmental bodies, administrative law, litigation and cases; iii) Chinese procedural law and; iv) Chinese practice of international law. There will be field trips to the Higher People's Court and/or the Intermediate People's Court and to top ranked law firms in Beijing. There will be fourteen 50-minute class meetings (five per week, with a one hour exam).

Introduction to Chinese Commercial Law

(1 credit), taught by Professors Tang Xin and Yang Ji of Tsinghua University School of Law, Beijing, China; and Professors Lu Zhian, Chen Zhidong, Gong Baihua, and Wang Jun of Fudan University School of Law, Shanghai, China.

This course provides an introduction and overview of the Chinese commercial legal system. The topics will be divided into seven subject areas: i) company law, including corporations, bankruptcy, and antitrust; ii) civil law, including contracts, torts, and property; iii) tax law as it pertains to foreign trade; iv) intellectual property law; v) foreign investment law; vi) arbitration and; vii) banking and finance. There will be field trips to an arbitration center, the Shanghai Stock Exchange and to top ranked law firms in Shanghai. There will be fourteen 50-minute class meetings (five per week, with a one hour exam).

International Intellectual Property Law

(1 credit), taught by Paul J. Heald, Allen Post Professor of Law, University of Georgia School of Law.

This course will focus on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement governing intellectual property as it is administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO).  Topics include provisions on patent, trademark, copyright, geographical indications, and trade secret law.  Enforcement and dispute resolution issues will also be covered, along with considerations of the effect of intellectual property protection on foreign direct investment.