A comparative study of the basics of company law in the United States and Europe.  We will look at the nature of the corporation/company and the different types of business firms in both legal systems.  We will then consider and compare fundamental aspects of corporate/company law — specifically, promoter liability, choice-of-law rules, distribution of business profits, corporate social responsibility, workers’ rights in takeovers, shareholder activism, and insider trading regulation.  Planned are field trips to the UK Supreme Court, one of the Inns of Court, Lloyd’s of London, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford.

No previous exposure to corporate law is required — this will be your introduction to (and preparation for) Business Organizations. The course materials will be comprised of online readings, websites, and videos.  There will be an exam (objective questions and short essay) when we return in September.