In the Classroom

The globalization of law and law practice has made the study of international law an important part of a legal education.

The institutions and rules of international law play 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 provides a global perspective and promotes a deeper understanding of our relationship with the world.

In addition to courses offered by the Center for Law and Global Justice, the USF School of Law offers numerous courses that explore global justice and international law. The courses taught at USF ground a student in both public and private international law. They introduce legal principles governing the relationships of countries and international organizations. USF courses, listed in the column to the right, also introduce legal and business issues that arise when a client engages in business abroad.

The USF School of Law and the Center for Law and Global Justice also administer an International and Comparative Law Certificate Program for students who wish to pursue a career in international law or develop specialized skills in this area.

International and Comparative Law Certificate Program

To receive the International and Comparative Law Certificate, students must complete course requirements and write a substantial research paper analyzing an issue relevant to international and comparative law. While participation is not required, it is strongly recommended that certificate candidates participate in at least one of the numerous summer study abroad or externship opportunities offered by the USF School of Law.

To learn more about the certificate, click here.

Center for Law and Global Justice Courses

Haiti and the Rule of Law

This unique course consists of a two-unit internship with the international NGO Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) preceded by a two-unit classroom component taught at USF law school. The course examines Haitian constitutional and statutory law, focusing on the incorporation in the Haitian constitution of international human rights and the failure of the Haitian state to protect those rights.  Included in the course is a case study of the human rights violated by human trafficking; the first half of the case study will be at USF and the second half at the law school of the State University of Haiti.
The internship in Port-au-Prince at the offices of the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI) and in refugee camps, will be built around IJDH's international advocacy and local litigation strategy to assist Haitians in enforcing their basic human rights to housing, food, water, sanitation, health and personal security.  Emphasis will be on increasing students’ cross-cultural legal communication skills, critical thinking and writing.
Nicole Phillips, Staff Attorney for IJDH and USF's Assistant Director for the Center for Law and Global Justice Haiti Programs, will be teaching and directing the program.  Dean Brand and Professor Donovan will assist in the Haiti-based program components relating to human trafficking.

International Human Rights Law

This course, a prerequisite to participate in the Frank C. Newman International Human Rights Law Clinic, serves as an introduction to international human rights documents and the procedures and mechanisms available for protecting and promoting human rights. It covers regional systems as well as the United Nations human rights bodies. It also includes the use of international human rights law in United States courts, addressing direct treaty application, customary international law, and its use as an interpretive guide.

International Development and the Rule of Law

This seminar, taught by Professor Dolores Donovan, provides an overview of international development and examines the role of rule of law programming. The concept of human rights based development is introduced, as is the relationship between rule of law and economic development. The course considers select rule-of-law issues, including anti-corruption, court reform, criminal justice, elections and political processes, various forms of economic development, legislative strengthening, and empowerment of women and children. The final paper will be a rule-of-law assessment on a particular topic in a particular country, as selected by the student.

Student Exchange Programs

The USF School of Law offers semester abroad study opportunities at the City University of Hong Kong in China, the University of Luxembourg, and the University of Deusto in Spain. The exchange program in Hong Kong gives students a first-hand perspective on the rapid change and growth underway in China. The university ranks among the world’s top 150 universities, enrolls more than 24,000 students, and offers four master of laws programs. The Luxembourg program offers students the opportunity to study in a city that is home to the headquarters of a host of European institutions, including the European Court of Justice and the European Investment Bank. Students may take a variety of courses offered by the University of Luxembourg’s Faculty of Law, Economics, and Finance. At Deusto Law School, students may take graduate level courses offered in three areas of specialization: Intellectual and Industrial Property; Finance; and European Business Law. To learn more about student exchange programs click here.

Study Abroad Programs

The USF School of Law offers summer study abroad programs focusing on European Union (E.U.) and international law in Dublin, Ireland, and Prague, Czech Republic, and semester abroad study opportunities at the City University of Hong Kong in China; the Jindal Global University in Delhi, India; and the University of Luxembourg. Study abroad programs are part of the fully-accredited curriculum of the USF School of Law. They are open to students who have satisfactorily completed at least one year of full-time or part-time study at a non-U.S. law school or an ABA and AALS accredited U.S. law school. To learn more about the study abroad programs, click here.