EPOKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF LAW AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
COURSE SYLLABUS
2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE INFORMATIONCourse Title: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LAW |
| Code | Course Type | Regular Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credits | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAW 403 | B | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) | Dr. Eglantina Farruku efarruku@epoka.edu.al |
| Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | Dr. Eglantina Farruku efarruku@epoka.edu.al , Wednesday, 12:30-13:00 |
| Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Language: | English |
| Compulsory/Elective: | Compulsory |
| Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) | Integrated second cycle study program in Law |
| Classroom and Meeting Time: | E-320, Wednesday, 08:45-12:30 |
| Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Code of Ethics: |
Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline" |
| Attendance Requirement: | 60% |
| Course Description: | The course aims to introduce the student to the legal implications of business transactions that take place across national borders. The course will focus on the law of international business transactions. The subject will be studied in four important areas: the legal environment of International Business, International Contracting, Import-Export (documentary and documentary credit transactions), Transfer of Intellectual Property (Licensing) and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The student should gain an appreciation of the particular risks of doing international business and the legal pitfalls associated with these risks. Ultimately, the goal of the course is to investigate ways to minimize legal risks in international business transactions. |
| Course Objectives: | The main objective of the course is to provide students with the ability to conduct an assessment of the specific risks of conducting international business as well as the international legal issues related to these risks. The aim of the course is to investigate ways to minimize legal risks in international business transactions. |
|
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
|
| 1 | International Business Law governs cross-border commercial transactions and establishes legal rules for global trade relationships between private and public entities. |
| 2 | International Trade Law defines how nations regulate imports, exports, and trade barriers under global agreements like the GATT and WTO. |
| 3 | International organizations set standards, resolve disputes, and promote economic cooperation to ensure stability in the global trading system. |
| 4 | The CISG harmonizes rules on contract formation, obligations, and remedies for international sales to facilitate predictable cross-border commerce. |
| 5 | International contracts require clear jurisdiction, arbitration, and choice-of-law clauses to manage disputes efficiently across legal systems. |
| 6 | Incoterms and carriage documents like bills of lading allocate costs, risks, and responsibilities between buyers and sellers in international transport. |
| 7 | Intellectual Property law protects innovations, trademarks, and creative works worldwide, balancing business interests with fair use and technology sharing. |
| 8 | International investment law safeguards investors through treaties and arbitration mechanisms against unfair or discriminatory state actions. |
| 9 | Ethical standards and CSR promote transparency, sustainability, and respect for human rights within global business operations. |
| 10 | Cross-border taxation aims to prevent double taxation and financial crimes under treaties and laws like the OECD guidelines and FCPA. |
|
COURSE OUTLINE
|
| Week | Topics |
| 1 | Introduction to International Business Law – Nature, Sources, and Scope. The Legal Environment of International Business, pp. 2–28. Overview of international legal systems, public vs. private international law, and sources of international business law. |
| 2 | International Trade Law and the Legal Environment of Business. International Law and the World’s Legal Systems, pp. 29–58. Key trade concepts, comparative legal systems, and the international legal order. |
| 3 | The Role of International Organizations (WTO, IMF, World Bank, UNCTAD). Dispute Settlement in International Trade: WTO and Regional Trade Agreements, pp. 59–102. Institutional roles in global trade regulation and dispute resolution mechanisms. |
| 4 | International Sale of Goods – CISG and Key Principles. The International Sale of Goods, pp. 103–142, CISG framework, formation of contracts, obligations of buyer and seller, remedies for breach. |
| 5 | Contracts and Dispute Resolution in International Business. Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, Arbitration, and Forum Selection, pp. 143–182. Choice of law, arbitration clauses, enforcement of foreign judgments. |
| 6 | Transportation, Insurance, and Risk Allocation in International Trade. Transportation and Insurance in International Business, pp. 183–214 Incoterms, bills of lading, cargo insurance, and allocation of risk and responsibility. |
| 7 | Midterm Exam |
| 8 | International Intellectual Property Law and Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property Law in the Global Arena, pp. 215–254. TRIPS Agreement, WIPO conventions, and enforcement of IP rights. |
| 9 | International Investment Law – Protection and Regulation. Foreign Direct Investment and Expropriation, pp. 255–292. Bilateral investment treaties, ICSID arbitration, and protection against expropriation |
| 10 | International Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. Ethics, Corporate Responsibility, and Anti-Corruption Law, pp. 293–322 OECD Guidelines, UN Global Compact, FCPA, UK Bribery Act. |
| 11 | International Taxation and Anti-Corruption Frameworks. Taxation and International Business, pp. 323–352. Double taxation, tax havens, transfer pricing, and compliance frameworks. |
| 12 | Regional Economic Integration (EU, NAFTA, ASEAN, etc.). Regional Economic Communities and Trade Blocs, pp. 353–388. Comparative analysis of the EU, NAFTA, and ASEAN trade regimes. |
| 13 | Emerging Issues in Global Business Law (Digital Trade, E-commerce, AI). The Future of International Business Law, pp. 389–420. Legal implications of e-commerce, digital contracts, and technology in global trade. |
| 14 | Review |
| Prerequisite(s): | - |
| Textbook(s): | 1.August, R., Mayer, D., & Bixby, M. (2020). International Business Law: Text, Cases, and Readings. 2.Schroeter, U. G., et al. (2021). International Business Law and the Legal Environment. |
| Additional Literature: | 1. Richard A. Mann and Barry S. Roberts, (2018) Business Law. 17th edition. Boston: Cengage Learning. 2. Alina Kaczorowska-Ireland, (2016) European Union Law. 4th edition. Milton Park: Routledge. |
| Laboratory Work: | - |
| Computer Usage: | - |
| Others: | No |
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COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
| 1 | Identify the fundamental principles, sources, and structures of international business law governing global trade and investment. |
| 2 | Differentiate between domestic, regional, and international legal systems and explain how they interact in cross-border transactions. |
| 3 | Interpret international trade agreements, including GATT, WTO, and regional trade pacts, in relation to global economic integration. |
| 4 | Analyze the legal provisions of international contracts under the CISG and apply Incoterms to real-world trade scenarios. |
| 5 | Evaluate dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration, mediation, and litigation in the context of international commerce |
| 6 | Apply key concepts of transportation, insurance, and risk management in the execution of international trade transactions. |
| 7 | Assess the legal framework for protecting intellectual property, regulating competition, and managing technology transfer across borders. |
| 8 | Examine the ethical, social, and environmental dimensions of international business practices and corporate responsibility. |
| 9 | Critically discuss international taxation systems, anti-corruption laws, and financial compliance standards affecting multinational operations. |
| 10 | Integrate knowledge of international business law to develop legally sound and ethically responsible strategies for global business decision-making. |
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COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution) |
| No | Program Competencies | Cont. |
| Integrated second cycle study program in Law Program | ||
| 1 | Fitimi dhe përdorimi i njohurive të avancuara në fushën e drejtësisë dhe jurisprudencës, mbështetur në tekstet mësimore, materialet dhe burimet e tjera shkencore. | 5 |
| 2 | Fitimi i njohurive rreth çështjeve dhe problematikave të fushës së drejtësisë, së bashku me analizën e aspekteve historike, shoqërore e politike. | 5 |
| 3 | Fitimi i njohurive rreth organizimit të shtetit. | 5 |
| 4 | Fitimi i njohurive rreth kapaciteteve të analizës lidhur me konceptet dhe ndarjet kryesore të degëve të së drejtës. | 5 |
| 5 | Përmirësimi i aftësive për të punuar së bashku me disiplinat kryesore të shkencave sociale dhe disiplinat e tjera të cilat janë të lidhura me drejtësinë. | 5 |
| 6 | Fitimi i njohurive rreth drejtësisë duke përthithur terminologjinë profesionale të fushës. | 4 |
| 7 | Përcaktimi i ngjarjeve dhe temave komplekse, nëpërmjet zhvillimit të diskutimeve dhe bërjes së sugjerimeve të reja në përputhje me hulumtimet e fushës. | 5 |
| 8 | Fitimi i aftësive në përdorimin e programeve kompjuterike dhe të teknologjisë së informacionit me qëllim arritjen e qasjes në dijen aktuale. | 4 |
| 9 | Përmirësimi i të menduarit kritik dhe aftësive në kryerjen e hulumtimit në mënyrë të pavarur. | 5 |
| 10 | Fitimi i njohurive për të folur në një gjuhë të huaj në një nivel të mjaftueshëm për të komunikuar me kolegët dhe për të kuptuar zhvillimet bashkëkohore në fushën e drejtësisë dhe të jurisprudencës. | 5 |
| 11 | Fitimi i aftësive për të respektuar vlerat shoqërore, shkencore dhe etike gjatë mbledhjes dhe interpretimit të të dhënave që kanë të bëjnë me zhvillimet shoqërore dhe atyre në drejtësi. | 4 |
| 12 | Ndërgjegjësimi në lidhje me rëndësinë e të drejtave të njeriut dhe mjedisit. | |
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COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
|
| Method | Quantity | Percentage |
| Midterm Exam(s) |
1
|
30
|
| Case Study |
1
|
20
|
| Final Exam |
1
|
40
|
| Attendance |
10
|
|
| Other |
Active Participation
|
|
| Total Percent: | 100% |
|
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
|
| Activities | Quantity | Duration(Hours) | Total Workload(Hours) |
| Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) | 16 | 4 | 64 |
| Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) | 14 | 2.5 | 35 |
| Mid-terms | 1 | 16 | 16 |
| Assignments | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Final examination | 1 | 25 | 25 |
| Other | 0 | ||
|
Total Work Load:
|
150 | ||
|
Total Work Load/25(h):
|
6 | ||
|
ECTS Credit of the Course:
|
6 | ||
|
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER
|
|
The course International Business Law provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal principles governing international trade and investment. By integrating theoretical foundations with real-world cases and international instruments such as the WTO, CISG, and regional trade agreements, the course enables students to navigate the complexities of the global legal environment. Through the study of contracts, dispute resolution, taxation, and corporate ethics, students are encouraged to develop critical legal reasoning and apply it to practical business scenarios. Ultimately, the course aims to equip future professionals with the analytical skills, legal awareness, and ethical judgment necessary to operate effectively and responsibly in an increasingly interconnected global economy |