International & Comparative Law
The globalization of law and law practice has made the study of international and comparative law an important part of a legal education.
The institutions and rules of international law have an important role in the U.S. legal system and the study of legal traditions and cultures that are different from those in the United States offers a critical understanding and deeper knowledge of our own legal system.
Traditionally, the study of international law has been divided into two areas: public international law and private international law. Public international law was concerned with the relations between countries, while private international law was concerned with transnational relations among individuals and business entities. However, this distinction has blurred as matters thought to be within the purview of public international are increasingly focused on non-state actors and developments in international business and trade are reshaping the relations of states.
The courses grouped in this cluster ground a student in both the public and private aspects of international law. They introduce legal principles governing the relationships of countries, such as the sources of international law, international organizations, and human rights. They also introduce the legal and business issues that often arise when a client engages in business abroad.