All VLS Courses

International Law

This course provides an introduction to international law and the international legal system.  Using real-world examples, it examines the processes through which international law is made, interpreted and applied, exploring the role of states as well as that of international bodies, non-governmental organizations, and corporations. The application of international law in domestic legal systems is examined, as is the reach of domestic law in the international arena.

International Regulation of Trade

An introduction to the field of international trade regulation.  Focused primarily on the interpretation and application of key provisions of the major trade treaties falling under the jurisdiction of the World Trade Organization, the course also examines arbitral decisions interpreting and applying provisions of separate bi-lateral and multi-lateral trade treaties such as NAFTA.

International Trade and the Environment

Examines the intersection between trade liberalization and environmental protection. The course addresses protection of natural resources through unilateral trade-based measures, the legality of multilateral environmental agreements employing trade measures, utilization of science-based trade tests, and environmental impacts of foreign investment liberalization.

Download 2013 Course Syllabus

Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiation

This simulation-based course introduces knowledge and behaviors needed to accomplish interviewing and counseling and negotiation tasks successfully.  Topics include working relationships with clients, gathering information from clients effectively, and helping clients make decisions in both dispute resolving and transactional contexts.

Introduction to American Legal System: Constitutional Law, Legislation, Regulation

Provides foreign-trained lawyers with a thorough introductory grounding in the U.S. legal system, environmentally-relevant common law, constitutional law, legislative and regulatory regimes, and the skills needed to access and utilize appropriate materials. 

Introduction to Chinese Law

An introduction to contemporary Chinese legal system and institutions in historical and comparative perspective.  Studies diverse aspects in the legal development of the PRC, including the legislature, sources of law, the legal profession and the judiciary, administrative law, the criminal justice system, dispute resolution, and the efforts and challenges of addressing China's environmental degradation and energy problems through law.

Introduction to Legal Studies

An introduction to the fields of legal analysis, research, and writing through the study of environmental statutes and case law. The course explores research and investigatory techniques, citation form, legal reasoning, writing skills, and professionalism. 

Introduction to Study of Law

An introduction to the fields of legal analysis, research, and writing through the study of environmental statutes and case law. The course explores research and investigatory techniques, citation form, legal reasoning, writing skills, and professionalism. 

JD Part Time Externship

Provides an opportunity to obtain field based experience on a part-time basis.  Students must work three hours per week for 15 weeks for each credit earned, and may earn from two to six credits depending on the time committed.  Students meet regularly with their faculty sponsors for evaluation and reflection of their experience.

Judicial Externship

Places students in judges' chambers, where students learn about the process of judicial decision making by observing the function of a court. Students work with the supervising judge to develop legal skills such as writing, research, and analytical skills. All judicial externship students complete an Academic Component which concentrates on judicial and legal ethics, judicial philosophy and history; decision-making and judicial discretion; and judicial opinion writing.