Announcing 2021-2022 Global Online Courses

Through this partnership opportunity, Penn Law students can enroll remotely in 1 of 8 classes being offered at Hong Kong University or Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  Read more about the Global Online Courses. Enrollment is limited; please submit the dedicated course request form by Friday, September 10. Contact international@law.upenn.edu with any questions.

 

Online Courses at Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI)

 

The Laws of War 

An introduction to the laws of war. The course critically examines the law applicable in armed conflicts, its historical origins, fundamental assumptions, and the aspirations of its promotors while addressing present days issues. In particular, the course explores the meaning of humanity in warfare. (Professor: Dr. Rotem Giladi) Request this Course

October 10 - November 21

• • • • Sundays 9:30am – 1:15pm 

 

Environmental Law: Local and Global Perspectives 

The course addresses the global environmental crisis, triggered by human activities overloading Earth’s carrying capacity. Rapid population growth together with an even faster growing economy and rising consumption, are running up against the boundaries of planetary systems, thrusting us from the relatively calm Holocene into the turbulent Anthropocene. The course will focus on these roots of the crisis that are driving ecological destruction despite a multiple number of both international and national laws.  The following themes will accompany us throughout the course: can current laws respond effectively to the impact of extreme economic growth and consumption on the environment, or do they subordinate environmental protection to economic and corporate interests? How do we go about replacing current governance models fixed on the assumption that humans are separate and superior to nature, with governance systems that view humans as part of nature, and aim to protect nature’s interests to thrive and sustain itself? And finally, how will law protect future generations in a world of 10-12 billion people under worsening ecological and climatic conditions? (Professor: Dr. Rachelle Adam) Request this Course

October 14 - January 13

• • • • Thursdays 9:30am-12:00pm 
        
        

International Criminal Law 

International criminal law (ICL) went through remarkable developments since the 1990s. These developments include the establishment of various international criminal courts and tribunals, most notably the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The establishment of a permanent international criminal judiciary has posed numerous challenges to the international community and to international criminal law lawyers. The course addresses the main challenges faced by the newly created international criminal law system.  The course consists of three parts. The first lessons are devoted to substantive norms of international criminal law, including an examination of the concept of “international crime”, and an analysis of the three principal categories of international crimes: war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The second part of the course is dedicated to discussion of the institutional aspects of international criminal law, including an examination of the unique characteristics of the various forums (domestic and international) in which international criminal adjudication takes place. The last part of the course includes selective issues, such as international immunities, the controversies surrounding the crime of aggression, and certain modes of criminal liability. (Professor: Dr. Gilad Noam) Request this Course

March 6 - June 19

• • • • Sundays 11:30am - 1:15pm 
        
        
        

Religion and Human Rights through the Lens of Film 

Analysis of the clashes between religion and universal human rights, at the theoretical, legal and social levels, examining the situation in Israel from a wide comparative perspective. Each issue will be discussed in the context of the three monotheistic religions, international human rights law and comparative case law. Films will be used to present the individual and social dimensions, sometimes tragic, of the issues in the shadow of the law. (Professor: Prof. Frances Raday) Request this Course

March 6 - June 19

• • • • Sundays 9:30am-1:15pm
        
        
        

Online Courses at Hong Kong University (HKU)

 

PRC Taxation and Policy 

This course first provides a general background of tax policy in the PRC. It then introduces the legal framework of tax law in the PRC from the legislative, administrative and judiciary perspectives and illustrates how tax law is developed, implemented, interpreted and enforced. The major components of the tax system will be touched upon, including VAT, enterprise income tax and individual income tax. Other types of taxes including tax on real estate and environmental tax will be explored. Given the increasing significance of the PRC in international trade and investment, tax implications arising from cross-border transactions involving PRC parties will also be considered. (Professors: Yan Xu and Doreen Qiu) Request this Course

January 8-21 (plus April 8 and 16)

• • • • Thursday 5:30am-8:30am (1/13)
      • Fridays 5:30am-8:30am (1/14, 1/21, 4/8)
      • Saturdays 8:30pm-11:30pm AND 1:30am-4:30am (1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 4/16)

 

Selected Legal Issues in Commercial Practice

This course addresses selected topics of law that are fundamental and practical to commercial practice, especially those involving the principles, doctrines and remedies available in courts that possess equitable jurisdiction. The course has two objects: to illustrate how widely commerce under the laws of a common law system depends on equitable principles and doctrines; to equip students to address difficult problems that arise in commercial practice by introducing new topics and discussing some familiar topics at an advanced level. (Professor: Peter Turner) Request this Course

January 3-January 18

• • • • Mondays 5:30am-9:00am (1/3, 1/10, 1/17)
      • Tuesdays 5:30am-9:00am (1/4, 1/11, 1/18)
      • Thursdays 5:30am-9:00am (1/6, 1/13)
      • Saturdays 1:30am-4:30am (1/8, 1/15)

 

Corporate Governance and Shareholder Remedies

This course aims to investigate competing approaches to the concept of corporate governance explored in comparative literature and to canvas major debates on corporate governance reform among academic, business, and policy circles in selected jurisdictions, primarily Hong Kong and mainland China. The course will examine important corporate governance norms, mechanisms and institutions in selected jurisdictions, particularly the legal standards and arrangements for shareholder protection and remedies, as well as regulatory initiatives to promote good corporate governance practices and address corporate governance failures. Useful examples from overseas jurisdictions, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, will be drawn on to illustrate international experience in corporate governance reform. Request this Course

January 2-23 (Tentative)

• • • • TBC

 

Insurance Law 

The course covers the operation and regulation of the insurance market; the definition, importance and reform of the concepts of “Insurable Interest” and “Utmost Good Faith”; the specific terms of insurance contracts; how losses and claims under insurance contracts are dealt with; the rights of insurers, including subrogation and contribution; the rights and duties of insurance intermediaries; and the nature of property insurance, marine insurance, reinsurance and liability insurance. (Professor: John Lowry) Request this Course

February 8-February 28

• • • • Mondays 10:30pm-1:20am (2/14, 2/21, 2/28)
      • Tuesdays 3:30am-6:20am (2/8, 2/15, 2/20)
      • Wednesdays 11:30pm-2:20am (2/9, 2/16)
      • Thursdays 3:30am-6:20am (2/10, 2/17, 2/24)