Last update: July 8, 2021

Course Schedules

Fall 2021 courses run from August 30 – December 6. Please note that all courses are subject to change. For further information as to courses or scheduling, please contact us.

Notes:  The schedule is subject to change. Courses are held in-person with online accommodation.

Course Descriptions

This tentative course schedule is subject to change.

Business Planning for International Transactions (3 credits)

John Price, Adjunct Professor of Law

This course covers issues that arise when business organizations conduct international transactions. It will address topics such as the international legal and economic environments, international sale of goods, agency and distributorship agreements, licensing agreements, establishment of operations abroad, mergers and acquisitions, development agreements and financing.

International Protection of Human Rights (In Business): Writing Seminar (3 credits)

Johnathan McCaskill, Adjunct Professor of Law; and Legal Consultant

This writing seminar introduces students to the basic features of the contemporary international human rights system, paying particular attention to the emerging field of Human Rights & SDGs in Business. The course addresses key concepts in corporate law related to limited liability, corporate personhood, and the “Business Judgement Rule.” We will discuss how these concepts can lead to corporate decision-making that focuses on profitability as opposed to the respect for or protection of human rights. We will pay special attention to incorporating sustainability and corporate social responsibility into contracts with suppliers and overseas business partners. We will analyze case studies where industry representatives have successfully engaged with affected stakeholders and where there is room to improve by having companies acknowledge the impact they have on human rights and sustainability when doing business. Satisfies the graduation advanced writing and research requirement.

Introduction to American Legal Systems (IUSL) (3 credits)

Mason Hester, Adjunct Professor of Law

This Course is intended to provide the student from a non-common law background with an introduction to the basic concepts, structures and institutions of the American Legal System. Topics to be covered include: historical origins of the common law system; common law method; the structure of the United States government, Federal and State; the Constitution; judicial review, structure, organization and operations of courts in the United States, civil litigation, case analysis and precedent: the legislative branch: statutes and legislative history; and the executive branch: administrative law.

Torts (3 credits)

Tony Andriotis, Partner at DLA Piper

Torts is the study of civil wrongs, which refers to harm caused by wrongful acts that are non-contractual. This course examines the basic principles governing private remedies for civil wrongs. It covers various theories of liability, including negligence for personal injuries and property damages, strict liability based on fault, and products liability. The course will explore the doctrines and policies that underlie those theories as well as defenses, recoverable damages, and related issues.

Note:  This subject is heavily tested on many U.S. Bar Examinations.

Trusts and Estates (3 credits)

Sabrina Hassanali, Attorney and Programs Director, For Empowering Women (FEW), Tokyo Japan

This course surveys the principal devices used in the transmission of accumulated family wealth, concentrating primarily on the requirements for creating, modifying and terminating wills and trusts. It also considers intestate succession, will substitutes and selected issues concerning future interests, powers of appointment and fiduciary administration.

Note:  This subject is tested on many U.S. Bar Examinations.

Survey of Legal Topics (US Bar Exam Study I: Fundamental Knowledge and Writing) (2 credits)

Instructors: Mason Hester, Adjunct Professor of Law

This is a comprehensive course on learning or refreshing knowledge of the law most commonly tested on US bar exams. Knowing and understanding the rule of law being tested on the bar exam is the fundamental first step to success on the exam. This course will teach effective tactics to memorize the law for the bar exam, including identifying key legal terms and making rule statements in your own words. In addition to increasing competency of legal topics on the bar exam, this course will focus on effective American-style legal writing for the MEE essays and MPT performance test. The writing portions of the UBE comprise 50% of the bar exam. It is crucial to learn the mechanics of legal writing; thus, this course will have weekly multi-essay writing exercises with personalized feedback. This course is excellent as a starting point for LL.M. students for bar exam study or if you are retaking the exam and need to return to the basics of good study habits.
13 weeks, limited enrollment. Does not satisfy the LL.M. advanced writing graduation requirement. If you need to satisfy the advanced writing requirement, take Guided Research or a writing course. The class counts as credit toward the US Law LL.M. and Certificate programs.

Update on US Bar Exams
Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, many US bar exams are changing their bar admission rules and administration of state bar exams, including timing, type (online or in-person), and travel restrictions. Students taking the Survey of Legal Topics course will receive an update on the impact of COVID-19 for bar exam test takers and the best study/contingency planning to take future exams.

Guided Research (2 or 3 credits)

Tina Saunders, Director and Associate Professor of Instruction in Law, Temple Law School, Japan Campus

This independent research offers students an opportunity to (1) satisfy the graduation advanced writing and research requirement; (2) develop research, writing and analytical abilities through producing a single substantive research paper; and (3) work with a faculty member in an area of the teacher's interest or expertise. Students have a Faculty member agree to supervise them and must submit a signed Approval form to the Registrar to request participation.

This course has limited enrollment.