International

Program of Instruction

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2008 Summer Institute Schedule

June 30: Program Registration and Book Distribution.
July 1: Orientation and Opening Reception; Introductory Lectures by Bernard Rudden, Oxford University Professor Emeritus: “Introduction to the Laws of Europe”; French language classes begin.
July 2: Introductory Lectures by Bernard Rudden, Oxford University Professor Emeritus, continued.
July 3: Introductory Lecture by Xavier Blanc-Jouvan, University of Paris I Professor Emeritus, on “Introduction to French Courts and Legal Professions.”
July 3-4: Private group visits to the Palais de Justice and the Conseil d'État, and an informal social in the Luxembourg Gardens. The introductory lectures and court visits are an integral part of the instructional program of the other courses in the Summer Institute; attendance therefore is required.
July 7: Regular instruction begins.
July 7-8: Add/drop period.
July 14: No classes (Bastille Day).
July 19: Final exams for some one-credit courses.
August 1-2: Reading period and final exams for some one-credit courses and all two-credit courses.
August 2: Closing reception.

**Please note that no examinations will be rescheduled to accommodate student travel.**

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Course Selection Guidelines

Students register for classes as a part of their
initial application. There will be a two-day add/drop period, July 7-8.
A list of courses for 2008 is available here.
Students may enroll in up to six credit hours, although we recommend a slightly lower course load. Only a small percentage of students in the past have taken the maximum number of credit hours.
Students may take a total of only two credits per class period. See "Course Schedules" below for more details.
All courses, except Introduction to the American Legal System, are open to all admitted students.
Introduction to the American Legal System is offered exclusively for non-J.D. students whose legal education is outside of the United States. Anyone intending to study for an LL.M. degree in the United States or to practice in fields requiring knowledge of American law will find this course useful.
None of the courses require prerequisites.

Course Schedules

Courses are offered for either one or two semester-hours credit.
Two-credit courses have eighteen 70-minute classes, Monday through Friday, except Bastille Day, July 14th.
The one-credit courses that meet in the first half of the program will be held every class day (except Bastile Day, July 14th) from Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 18, with examinations on Saturday, July 19.
The one-credit courses in the second half of the session will meet every class day from Monday, July 21, through Thursday, July 31.
One-credit courses in the second half and all two-credit classes will have a reading period on the morning of Friday, August 1; examinations will be held Friday afternoon, August 1, and Saturday morning and afternoon, August 2.

9:00-10:10 a.m.

Comparative Corporate Law and Governance (2 credits)
International Human Rights (1 credit; July 7-18 classes; exam July 19)
Introduction to French Law (1 credit; July 21-31 classes)
Beginning French – Section One (non-credit)*
Intermediate French – Section One (non-credit)*

10:25-11:35 a.m.

Comparative Legal Studies (2 credits)
International Commercial Arbitration (2 credits)
Beginning French – Section Two (non-credit)*
Intermediate French – Section Two (non-credit)*

11:50 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Introduction to the American Legal System (for non-J.D. students only) (2 credits)
International Sales Law (1 credit; July 7-18 classes; exam July 19)
Comparative Family Law (1 credit; July 21-31 classes)
Beginning French – Section Three (non-credit)*
Intermediate French – Section Three (non-credit)*

*Students enrolled in Beginning or Intermediate French will be able to select the class meeting time that is most convenient for them, in light of their other schedule. Please note that it will not be possible to enroll in a French language class if enrolled in a class during each of the three morning class periods.

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Course Credit Information

All courses, except Introduction to the American Legal System, qualify for credit toward the J.D. degree at Cornell and are recognized by most other J.D. programs in the U.S.
For those students previously or subsequently admitted to Cornell's LL.M. program, Summer Institute credits will apply toward the LL.M. at Cornell (consistent with ABA accreditation requirements), and may be recognized in other LL.M. programs in the United States.
Non-Cornell J.D. students should consult their dean of students or registrar to determine the amount of course credit allowed, and all J.D. students should note that it is unlikely that participation in the Summer Institute may be used to accelerate graduation; students interested in acceleration should consult their home schools to review this issue in light of ABA Standard 304.

Language Instruction
 
Non-credit instruction in Beginning French and Intermediate French are available to students, as well as to persons accompanying them. Language classes will begin during the orientation/introductory lectures week, on July 1 and 2, and continue during the period of regular classroom instruction. Beginning July 7, the schedule will include one section of both Beginning and Intermediate French during each of the three morning class periods. You will be asked to select the session you prefer as a part of the application process.

Please Note: Students who enroll in a regular class during each of the three morning class periods (see course schedules, above) will not be able to enroll in a French language class. French language classes will conclude prior to July 31, the end of the law classes. Students in these classes receive a preference in attending dinners at Paris restaurants that are organized by the French language instructors.

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