Descriptions At American University Of Armenia
COURSE LISTINGS & DESCRIPTIONS
International Legal English (LW100)
This course introduces students to English terminology and constructs related to basic
legal concepts and general aspects of legal systems. The course also teaches students to
perform legal practice skills in English as they relate to the following commercial law
topics: company formation and management; capitalization; contract negotiation;
remedies and assignment; employment issues; sale of goods law; real and intellectual
property problems; negotiable instruments; secured transactions; debtor-creditor
interactions; and competition law. More than other fields, precision and competence in
written expression is a tool of the legal profession. The course reinforces core reading,
writing, listening and speaking skills in English and prepares students to obtain the
International Legal English Certification upon successful completion of the ILEC
exam.
American Law I - Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law (LW 111)
This course aims to equip students with a systematic overview of substantive US law of
contracts, torts and criminal law. The method will be primarily problem-solving, with
case law (IRAC analysis) and blackletter law. Topics covered in the contracts portion
include offer, acceptance, consideration, defenses to enforcement, third-party rights,
assignment, measure of damages and remedies. Topics covered in the torts portion
include intentional torts, negligence, negligence per se, strict liability, causation, and the
elements of common torts, measure of damages and remedies. Topics covered in the
criminal law portion include the criminal law elements, mental state, defenses, and
degrees of murder, assault and battery, rape, crimes against property (larceny,
embezzlement, robbery, burglary, arson), white collar crime, bribery, and perjury.
American Law 2 Property, Constitutional (LW 112)
This course aims to equip students with a systematic overview of substantive US
Constitutional and property law. The method will be primarily problem-solving, with
case law (IRAC analysis) and blackletter law. Topics covered in the property portion
include possessory ownership, fee simple, concurrent ownership, leaseholds, landlordtenant,
easements, servitudes, zoning, land sale contracts, mortgages, water, mineral & air
rights, takings. Topics in the constitutional law portion of the course include
jurisdictional matters and standing, separation of powers, regulation of commerce,
procedural and substantive due process, equal protection, other fundamental rights
(speech, religion, privacy, travel, vote).
Institutions & Process I Legislative Process, Judicial Civil Process (2
credits) (LW 113)
This course systematically presents the US legislative and judicial institutions and their
main functions and process. The legislative portion of the course will cover the
constitutional basis for the US Congress, elections, authorities and organization of
Congress and its committees, staff, and constituent relations, and the full process of
lawmaking from introduction of a draft law through enactment. The portion of the course
devoted to the judiciary will focus on the constitutional basis for the US federal court
system and its relation to the state courts, jurisdictional matters, the structure, selection,
qualifications of judges, as well as the court staff, and will follow the judicial process for
a civil case from filing of the complaint through appeal and final execution.
Institutions & Process 2 - Judicial Criminal Process, Admin istrative
Rule/Decision-making (2 credits) (LW 114)
This course systematically presents the US criminal justice system and the administrative
institutions and their main functions and processes. The administrative portion of the
course will cover the appointment, structure and functions of administrative bodies,
including administrative courts and judges, with a full analysis of the two main
administrative functions rule-making and decision-making, from start to final rule or
decision, and judicial challenge and review, including constitutional standards of due
process and regulatory power. The portion of the course devoted to the criminal process
will focus on the investigatory and prosecutorial agencies, law enforcement, and the court
and grand and petit jury system, as well as the rights of the accused and prisoners, and
role of defense counsel. The criminal process will be studied from pre-arrest investigation
through appeal and constitutional challenges under the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments to
the US constitution.
Legal Methods and Analysis (LW104)
A legal problem solving based introduction to legal method and legal analysis as
practiced in Western law today; students will learn sources of precedent, the role of
precedent and the development of precedent in the common law, the reading and
briefing of cases, the reading and interpretation of statutes, the legal analysis of factual
problems, objective legal writing (IRAC method) and basic legal argument.
Public International Law (LW121)
From a legal problem solving perspective this course explores public international law in
both an Armenian and regional context. Topics reviewed include sources of public
international law and its contemporary development, the expanding scope of international
actors (including non-State actors like corporations), the utility of international and
domestic fora and reviewing modern day challenges to future public international law
development.
Human Rights Law (LW123)
By presenting legal problems for discussion and resolution, this course introduces
students to the principles and the practice of contemporary human rights law in the world
and in an Armenian context. Attention is given to the development of individual claims
against states regarding issues of torture; civil and political rights; economic, social and
cultural rights; and women and ethnic minority rights. Also explored are contemporary
challenges to international humanitarian law and individual accountability through the
development of international criminal law. Sources of law reviewed include international
treaties, custom ary law and Armenian legislation.
Law & Justice in Popular Culture (LW101)
This course explores how legal concepts, role models, and professional ethos in popular
culture promote and reinforce the rule of law. The course aims to explore how dedicated
individuals using the skills and arts of persuasive and knowledge of the law can expand
justice in their societies by the use of legal mechanisms. Through the medium of film
and literature followed by class discussion, the following basic concepts are reviewed:
social contract theory, professional ethics, rule of law (e.g. resort to courts and legal
structures to resolve conflict as an alternative to violence), a comparative review of legal
systems (e.g. use of juries, class action mechanisms, etc.) and standard defendant rights
(right against self-incrimination, right to counsel), professional responsibility for
attorneys and judicial ethics, and legal advocacy.
Comparative Law (LW102)
This course gives an overview of civil and common law systems as well as the methods
and sources of comparative law. Topics may include comparative institutions (e.g.,
courts), comparative substantive law (e.g., contracts or property), or historical and
jurisprudential comparisons, and other legal systems (e.g., Islamic law, canon law,
Armenia s Datastanagirk).
ECHR Law (LW122)
This course gives an overview of the European Convention on Human Rights and the
procedures for appealing cases to the ECHR. Topics include applicability of ECHR in
domestic courts, a survey of the most important ECHR precedents and trends.
EU Law (LW222)
This course gives an overview of the European Union institutional and legal structure, its
foundation documents, and regulatory framework, as well as issues relating to
transactions and economic activity in the EU.
Business Organizations (LW141)
This course focuses on corporations, their formation and structure, the role of
shareholders, management, regulators and other stakeholders, capital structures, kinds of
securities, corporate financing, open vs. closed companies, and typical transactions and
documents involved in corporate formation and investments
Taxation (LW143)
This course presents the basic concepts of taxation common to most taxation systems.
Topics include kinds of taxation, double taxation, international tax planning, and typical
issues facing investors in Armenia .
International Business Transactions (LW245)
This course covers basic international sales of goods and services transactions, leasing,
licensing, as well as investment, financial and secured transactions, and the typical kinds
of documents and issues practitioners and client face in such transactions, including
choice of law, dispute resolution, intellectual property, security, authority, custom s, tax
and other regulatory matters.
Negotiation (LW364)
This course aims to give students a framework for conducting orderly and effective
negotiations, including preparation for negotiations, techniques and documents for
handling typical situations that arise in business negotiations or dispute settlements.
Masters Paper (2 credits) (LW481)
This is the programs capstone experience, completed during the second-year of study
under the supervision of department faculty. The Master Essay requires substantial
research and writing and may include field work or case studies. Students shall select
topics and determine the appropriate format and kind of research required in conjunction
with the faculty advisor. Enrollment for the Master Paper is limited each term, depending
upon the availability of faculty advisors. Students must check with the Department before
registering for this course.
Plus 2 electives and Environmental Ed ucation
Electives (offered from time to time, depending upon resources, faculty interest,
contemporary legal developments, and student needs)
Elective courses are not offered every term. Specific topics and syllabus for each course
will be posted at the AUA law department before registration.
Clinical (LW471)
The Clinical Course is designed to permit students to gain practical experience in a law
related institution (e.g., courts, parliament, administrative body, NGO, mediation
program) under the supervision of an experienced practitioner or legal research. Clinical
Courses may also involve internships, externships, or research at the AUA Legal
Research Center or other approved site. Students should check with the AUA Law
Department to find out what clinical opportunities are available in any given term, since
placements are limited and vary from term-to-term depending upon demand and
availability of qualified sites and supervisors.
Topics in Intellectual Property (LW144)
This course aims to give students an overview of kinds of intellectual property (e.g.,
copyright, patent, trademark, service marks) and the main issues involved in intellectual
property registration, licensing and protection. Topics may include domestic, European,
US or International legal frameworks for intellectual property protection.
Topics in Admin istrative Law (LW205)
This course aims to give students an advanced overview of administrative law
institutions, processes, and functions, including rule-making, decision-making, and
constitutional standards of due process and judicial review. Topics may include specific
regulatory areas (e.g., environmental protection, food and drug safety, zoning and land
use, social welfare benefits, economic competition/antitrust, banking) drawn from
domestic or foreign legal frameworks.
Topics in Constitutional Law (LW201)
This course aims to give students an advanced overview of constitutional law. Topics
may include civil rights, comparative constitutional legal analysis, and other
contemporary topics in constitutional law.
Topics in Criminal Law (LW230)
This course aims to give students an advanced overview of criminal law. Topics may
include comparative perspectives on criminal law, international courts and procedures, as
well as related areas of prisoners rights, extradition, financial crimes, white collar crime,
war crimes, and other international crimes.
Topics in International Law (E.g. Trade Law) (LW142)
This course will focus on selected topics in public or private international law. Topics
may include private or economic issues relating to WTO, Trade Law, Covenant on
International Sales of Goods, WIPO, antitrust, or public law issues involving in-depth
study of various human rights, conventions, or international legal institutions.
Topics in Dispute Resolution (LW244)
This course will present selected topics in dispute resolution, including alternative dispute
resolution (e.g., arbitration or mediation) and international treaties on enforcement of
international arbitral awards and judgments, and specific issues relating to international
civil litigation (e.g., jurisdiction, forum selection, choice of law, service of process,
enforcement, act of state and sovereign immunity, enforcement of judgments).
Legal Ethics and Legal Profession (LW361)
This course provides an overview of professional ethics legal ethics issues (e.g., conflict
of interest, confidentiality) as well as practical matters of organizing and running a
private law practice or working as in-house counsel.
Contemporary Legal Issues (LW473)
This course, which may be taken more than once, is designed to give faculty and students
an opportunity to study one or more contemporary legal issues that are emerging in the
domestic, foreign or international legal scene (e.g., dual citizenship, election law, judicial
precedent). Unless otherwise announced, the format of the course is a faculty-led seminar
involving presentation of student research and discussion.
Legal Drafting (LW363)
This course is a legal writing course which may cover both persuasive and objective legal
writing, e.g., - contracts, legislation, memos, letters in accordance with standard US legal
form and style.
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