IBS850 - Legal Environment of International Business

Outline info
Semester
School
Last revision date Jan 27, 2025 1:00:19 AM
Last review date Mar 17, 2025 12:15:09 AM


Subject Title
Legal Environment of International Business

Subject Description
This course will introduce students to the evolving legal issues that are relevant to the international business environment, including the legal risks of entering into foreign markets, international organizations, trading blocks, sales contracts, legal issues relating to international transportation and financing, intellectual property and the resolution of international disputes

Credit Status
One credit at the Graduate Certificate Level

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

  1. Understand and apply legal principles in the areas of law detailed below.
  2. Recognize legal issues in Canadian and international trade and investment.
  3. Analyze international contracts.
  4. Understand products liability issues.
  5. Locate government resources, programs and legislation that impact international trade and investment.
  6. Recognize situations in which legal advice should be obtained.
  7. Communicate effectively with lawyers.
  8. Demonstrate the effectiveness in working towards a common goal with others in a work group setting, including interpersonal teamwork and communications skills, in written and oral presentations.
  9. Demonstrate personal management skills such as positive attitude and behaviour, responsibility and adaptability.

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.

Prerequisite(s)
None.

Topic Outline

  1. International Legal Environment
  2. GATT / WTO
  3. NAFTA
  4. EU and US Competition Law
  5. Canadian Regulation of Imports, Exports
  6. Torts, Negligence, Product Liability, Principles of Canadian Contract Law
  7. International Sales: Contracts - CISG
  8. International Sales: Financing, Transportation and Insurance
  9. Intellectual Property
  10. Dispute Settlement
  11. Forms of Business - Agency and Distribution Agreements Licensing, Franchising, Strategic Alliance, Joint Ventures, FDI
  12. Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, Bribery and Corruption, Environmental Law

Mode of Instruction
In-Class / Online Virtual Classroom:
A combination of teaching methods will be utilized which may include lectures, case studies, discussions, group and individual work.

Prescribed Texts

Title: Legal Aspects of International Business, A Canadian Perspective
Edition: 4th Edition
Authors: Evguenia Iskra, Mary Jo Nicholson
Publisher: Edmond Publishing
ISBN: 9781772555462
Link for purchase: https://emond.ca/Store/Books/Legal-Aspects-of-International-Business-A-Canadian?r=%2fStore%3fsearchtext%3dLegal%2bAspects%2bof%2bInternational%2bBusiness%252c%2bA%2bCanadian%2bPerspective%26searchmode%3danyword



To find out the cost of books and learning material go here.

Any courses not listed on the bookstore webpage do not require any resources for purchase. All resources will be provided by your instructor.

Reference Material
Recommended Reading 1:
Title:        Legal Aspects of International Trade
Edition:  6th Edition - blue book
Author:  Forum for International Trade Training (FITT)
Publisher:  FITT - Module 7
ISBN:         9781894566483

To purchase eBooks, please contact FITT directly directly at:  http://fittfortrade.com/textbooks-ebooks 
Students interested in the FITT credentials may consider purchasing all 8 eBooks.  Purchasing all 8 books will cover the Professional Examination or 2 assessments, transfer of credits, and diploma.  ($575 + tax).  Individual books may be purchased as well.

Recommended Reading 2:
Financing Trade and International Supply Chains: Commerce Across Borders, Finance Across Frontiers
By Alexander R. Malaket
Here’s the link:  http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1409454606/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1409454606&linkCode=as2&tag=senecacollege-20

Required Supplies
None

Student Progression and Promotion Policy

http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/student-progression-and-promotion-policy.html

Grading Policyhttp://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/grading-policy.html

A+ 90%  to  100%
A 80%  to  89%
B+ 75%  to  79%
B 70%  to  74%
C+ 65%  to  69%
C 60%  to  64%
D+ 55%  to  59%
D 50%  to  54%
F 0%    to  49% (Not a Pass)
OR
EXC Excellent
SAT Satisfactory
UNSAT Unsatisfactory

For further information, see a copy of the Academic Policy, available online (http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academics-and-student-services.html) or at Seneca's Registrar's Offices. (https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/registrar.html).


Modes of Evaluation
Assignments are due on the dates specified. Should extenuating circumstances arise, please contact your instructor prior to the assignment due date so that an appropriate course of action can be established. Late assignments may be subject to a penalty of up to 10% per week and will not generally be accepted beyond two weeks from the due date.
 
In cases of cheating or plagiarism, the College Academic Policy will prevail. Please ensure that all assignments and reports are properly documented.
 
Students are referred to the following website for Seneca College Library style guides, Academic Honesty Policy and Copyright guidelines: https://library.senecapolytechnic.ca/
 
Dates for evaluations are specified in the weekly schedule addendum to this outline. The evaluation process may include, but is not limited to, tests, exams, assignments or presentations. Any absences or missed submissions due to medical or other reasons must be supported by medical or other appropriate documentation within one (1) week of the due date. The faculty and program area must be notified immediately in the event of a missed evaluation. Upon acceptance of the documentation, the weighting of the missed deliverable will normally be applied to the final exam.
 
English Competency
The ability to communicate effectively is essential for success in business. Therefore, you must demonstrate English competency in this course in both oral and written work. Ensure your written work includes correct sentence structure, spelling and punctuation. Always spell check, edit and proofread your work.
 
Grading is based on the following marking scheme:

Quiz 15%
In-Class Caseworks 10%
Term Test #1 30%
Term Test #2 30%
Assignment (Report) 15%
 
Please retain this course outline document for future educational and/or employment use.

Approved by: John Wong1, Danielle Mercier