American Business Law, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master Programme in Commercial and Business Law
• Master´s Programme in Commercial and Business Law with focus on Europé

Entry requirements

Only general admission requirements: Completion of an upper secondary education and skills in English, both written and oral, corresponding to the level of English required in Swedish upper secondary education (eg. a TEOFL-score of at least 500 points for paper based test, 197 points for computer based test or 61 points for internet based test; IELTS with at least 5,0 overall and no part under 4,5, or equivalent) General admission requirements: Completion of an upper secondary education and skills in English, both written and oral, corresponding to the level of English required in Swedish upper secondary education (eg. a TOEFL-score of at least 500 points for paper based test, 197 points for computer based test or 61 points for internet based test; IELTS with at least 5,0 overall and no part under 4,5, or equivalent) Admission requirements for Law Students are included in the Swedish version of the Course Plan. Visiting foreign students are admitted to the course after approval of the Dean of Studies. Documented knowledge of English equivalent to Engelska B/Engelska 6: internationally recognized test, e.g. TOEFL (minimum scores: Paper based 575 + TWE-score 4.5, and internet based 90+TWE-score 20), IELTS, academic (minimum score Overall band 6.5 and no band under 5.5), or equivalent.

Intended learning outcomes

After having successfully completed the course the student shall be able to:
- identify and explain key concepts defining the regulatory system in the United States
- demonstrate a deeper knowledge and understanding of certain business law fields of particular importance for Swedish conditions, such as civil procedure law, contract law, business associations law, the legal rules governing the sale of goods and tort law.
- to express orally as well as in writing conclusions, acquired knowledge and arguments in English
- display a critical and reflective attitude towards judicial problems in fields such as civil procedure law, contract law, business associations law, the legal rules governing the sale of goods and tort law.

Course content

The course is divided into five sections covering different fields of law. After an introduction to the legal system in the United States the civil procedure rules are introduced and analyzed. During this section special focus will be on foreign companies bringing suits as well being sued in United States courts. Furthermore, the civil procedure rules on federal and state jurisdiction are introduced. The second section is focusing on the law of contracts. During this section agency rules, the formation of contracts, contract interpretation, breach of contract and damages are discussed. During the third section the legal rules governing the sale of goods are discussed. Special focus will be on the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). The fourth section is focused on business association law, with an emphasis on issues important to foreign companies doing business in the United States. Finally, during the last section of the course general tort law concepts are introduced. During this section product liability, vicarious liability as well as strict liability for businesses will be discussed.

The legal system in the United States is divided into a federal and a state legal system. The main part of the rules and legal principles addressed during the course are formulated at the state level. However, most states have similar rules when it comes to business law. During the course special focus will be on "model laws" developed in different areas of law as well as legal principles developed in common law. When state law is analyzed, a starting point is the law of the state New York (with the exemption of corporate law, when the law of the state of Delaware is discussed). The law of the state of New York is chosen because of the impact it has, particularly in business relations with European businesses.

Teaching and working methods

The course is designed to encourage active participation. The basic learning pillars are interactive lectures, seminars and exercises. Compulsory group/individual assignments presented orally or/and in writing during the seminars form part of the course. Language of instruction: English

Examination

The course is examined through active participation during seminars as well as an individual written exam. The course is examined through active participation during seminars as well as an individual written exam. Group/individual assignments prepared for the seminars form part of the examination.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department