- Home
- Academics
- Degree Program
- The CUFE Law School Autumn Semester Program in Beijing, China
- Courses Offered
The CUFE Law School Autumn Semester Program in Beijing, China
Courses Offered
Courses are attended by both CUFE degree students and autumn semester program students (subject to change based on professor availability and student demand). Methodology Training (Offered in Advance of CUFE’s Business Law Courses)1. Introduction to the Chinese Legal System (Mandatory—3 credits)Business Law Courses
Students who have successfully completed a survey course on Chinese Law may claim exemption from attendance.
This seminar style class explores the fundamental structure and operation of the Chinese legal system, offering a critical perspective on the development of law in China and providing students with the basic training necessary to later work with Chinese law on a deeper and practical level. The course covers the historical development of the Chinese legal system, the relevant institutions responsible for the formation and application of law in China (and associated legislative and judicial processes), and issues of Chinese law and society. Specific subjects covered include, among others, constitutional law, administrative law, the legal profession, family law, counter-corruption strategies, and criminal procedure.
2. Comparative Law (Mandatory—2 Credits)
Students who have successfully completed a course on Comparative Law may claim exemption from attendance.
This course presents an examination of various legal traditions (e.g., common law, civil law, socialist law and religious law) through the identification of similarities and differences among them. Emphasis is placed on the different analytical methodologies used in the application of law in various legal systems, and on training students to employ general and specific theoretical models of comparison. Students not only gain by enhanced knowledge of foreign legal systems, but develop a better understanding of their own legal culture.
3. Select Topics in Chinese Commercial Law (3 Credits)Language Courses (subject to extra charge)
This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the major areas of Chinese business law, including Chinese contract law, principles of Chinese civil law, Chinese company law, Chinese guarantee law, Chinese banking law, Chinese securities regulation, Chinese administrative law from a business perspective, and China’s insurance regulatory system. Students are introduced to the major pieces of legislation governing Chinese commercial law,, as well as the major legal issues confronted in China’s domestic regulation of business.
4. Comparative Anti-Monopoly Law (3 Credits)
This course explores China’s new Anti-Monopoly Law and its potential to develop into a third major force in the global regulation of monopolistic behavior. Comparisons with United States long-standing antitrust law and the more recent, but aggressive, regulation of abuses of economic power in the European Union help highlight the similarities and differences between Western and Chinese models. Emphasis is placed on teaching students to deal with the legal issues that global businesses confront in complying with antitrust law in very different jurisdictions.
5. Foreign Direct Investment in China (3 Credits)
This course explores the unique challenges faced by foreign investors entering the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as investment vehicles available to foreign businesses in China, protection of intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions. Emphasis is placed on the myriad of issues that must be addressed to successfully operate in China, and the uniqueness of operating in a mixed state-owned and private economy.
6. Comparative Commercial Law (3 Credits)
As commercial activity becomes increasingly international, it is important for lawyers, policymakers, and business people to gain an understanding of the variety of commercial law systems that have developed around the world, and to understand some of the principles and concepts underlying these systems. This course will explore major trends and areas of harmonization and conflict in international commercial law, and introduce students to the primary commercial law systems in the world: Europe, the United States, and China. Students will examine and compare how these systems approach significant areas of commercial law such as banking, contracts, sales, and corporate governance, and consider some of the historical, cultural, and economic influences that have shaped these systems
7. Comparative Government Procurement Law (3 Credits)
This course employs analysis of both Chinese and foreign case adjudications to demonstrate the similar legislative framework, but very different operating environments, for public contracting in China and other countries. Students not only learn the basics of government procurement law, but explore very different administrative systems (with emphasis on comparing the U.S. and China regulatory models). The course also presents a unique opportunity for students to compare the legal reasoning and writing style of Chinese, European and U.S. judges.
8. Sino-Global Business Law Trial Competition (2 Credits)
CUFE’s Business Law Trial Competition offers both Chinese and non-Chinese students the opportunity to team up as lawyers to dispute substantive issues of international trade and/or international investment law before a mock panel of judges. Applying Chinese civil procedure law, students research, brief and debate challenging choice of law and choice of forum issues. Diverse student teams (a mix of students from civil and common law countries) offer the opportunity to witness different methods of pleading, argument and legal analysis.
9. Collaborative Research (3 Credits)
CUFE offers students an unparalleled opportunity to purse independent research in collaboration with a Chinese student partner, under the guidance of CUFE Faculty. Students can choose to explore a subject of Chinese law from a variety of perspectives, including comparisons with the law of their home country. This course is mandatory for any student participating in CUFE's "Collaborative Law Student Exchange."
10. Basic Mandarin Chinese (3 Credits)
This course introduces the fundamental grammar and tonal rules of China’s national language. Students learn both pinyin (romanization) as well as Chinese characters. Emphasis is placed on quickly getting students familiar with basic phrases so they can better engage with their Chinese hosts.
11. Legal and Professional Chinese (2 Credits)
For those who have already achieved a high level of Mandarin Chinese proficiency, CUFE offers the unique opportunity for students to embark on mastery of Chinese legal terms and Chinese legal drafting.
Students fluent in Mandarin Chinese may receive special permission to attend other CUFE law courses. Please contact the program manager for details.
Transfer of Credits. Students will receive an official transcript from The Law School of The Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing. Under ABA rules, students should be able to transfer credits to their home institutions. Students should check with their home institutions for transfer requirements and procedures. See ABA Standard 307: Criteria for Student Study at a Foreign Institution.
Certificate of Completion. Students who successfully complete 11 non-language credits during the Beijing Semester program will receive a Certificate in Comparative Business Law from the Law School of the Central University of Finance and Economics.
