LAW 8118 International Business Law

STAFFING:

OTHER-REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

A study of international business involves an examination of the environment in which such business is conducted. One important aspect of that environment is law. The law impacts not only on transactions which have a transnational aspect but also on the methods and structures through which an organisation, for example, one based in Australia, may conduct business overseas. It is clear that a failure to appreciate the legal ramifications of particular practices and transactions can have an adverse effect on the operations of an enterprise engaging in international business.

SYNOPSIS:

This course examines the impact of law on the enterprises that conduct international business and on particular transactions entered into by such enterprises. The law concerning the formation and other aspects of international sales contracts as well as the law relating to the international transport of goods and international payments will be examined. The course will also explore selected legal aspects of the World Trade Organisation and one particular regional grouping (namely the European Union). In addition, a study will be made of the law concerning the methods by which private international legal disputes are resolved.

OBJECTIVES:

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item/s that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective is/are shown in parentheses after each objective. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. have some knowledge and understanding of the law relating to the common forms of contracts used in international sales transactions (Assignment, Examination)
2. understand the law and legal ramifications associated with the international transportation of goods (Examination)
3. understand how international payments are effected and some of the relevant legal issues associated therewith (Examination)
4. have some understanding of the World Trade Organization (WTO), especially its dispute settlement mechanism (Examination)
5. have some knowledge of regional groupings - particularly the European Union (EU) - and the relevance of same to international business law (Examination)
6. have some understanding of the methods by which private international legal disputes are resolved and the relative merits of resolution of international business disputes through the courts, by arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (Examination).

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date for Exam (A, B and C) after the timetable has been finalised. The total working time for Exam (A, B and C) is 3 hours.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   If you are an international student in Australia, you are advised to attend all classes at your campus. For all other students, there are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must make a reasonable attempt in all of the weighted assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the examination and at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   This will be a closed examination. Candidates are allowed to bring only writing instruments into the examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Guide to Policies and Procedures of the Faculty which can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/buspolproc.html.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Learning resources: Prescribed texts and materials (see above); recommended reference materials (see above); printed Introductory Book and Study Book/s; and course Website accessible via USQConnect.
2. Internet access: It will be assumed by the Examiner that all students enrolled in LAW8118 will, at all relevant times during the semester, have Internet access and will be able to access such facilities as the course electronic discussion group.