International Business Transactions (ILO L230)

Mon and Wed 7:30AM-08:45AM

This page contains general course information. In order to find the course materials and have access to the Zoom virtual classrooms, please navigate to the corresponding module through the main navigation menu on the left.

Instructor:

Professor Joel Trachtman, Joel.Trachtman@tufts.edu

Office Hours:

I will ordinarily have office hours each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning from 9-10 am. If those times are inconvenient, send me an email to schedule another time. All students are required to meet with me for an introductory session no later than February 17. Please sign up here.

Zoom:

Click on Zoom on the left-hand side to join the Zoom meetings. You can also click here.

*Please note that your tufts.zoom.edu accounts will need to be activated before you join the virtual classrooms. For our synchronous meetings, I expect everyone to attend punctually, and to turn on their video, unless they have been excused in advance.

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the legal context of international business. It includes the private international law issues focusing on which law applies to an international business transaction, which court will hear a case, and where that court’s judgment will be enforceable, and the transactional issues of payment for goods using letters of credit or blockchain and financing of foreign direct investment through project financing, as well as the public law issues of anti-bribery law, international taxation, intellectual property protection, trade law for market access, and international protection of foreign direct investment. This course focuses on issues of international business strategy in response to this legal context.

Course Structure

This course is offered during the Spring semester, 2021. I will provide asynchronous lectures for each course topic, except for our first, second, 13^th, 25^th and 26^th days of class (noted below). On those days, we will utilize the entire 75-minute class period in a more traditional lecture/discussion session. For other days you will attend an approximately 30-minute asynchronous lecture at your convenience in advance, and then attend a synchronous 45-minute Zoom discussion session from 8 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. EDT. Please note the 45 minute and 75-minute synchronous class sessions in your calendar. The pattern of the course will be as follows:

Prepare readings and respond to the “were you really actively reading?” (“WYRAR^sm”) questions on Canvas prior to the designated lectures.
Asynchronously attend and prepare notes on the designated lecture. Steps 1 and 2 may be completed at your convenience, but must be completed prior to the time of the relevant synchronous meeting.
Attend a synchronous 45-minute Zoom discussion session from 8:00 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. EDT during the scheduled class meeting. Discussion sessions will include break-out discussion groups.
Repeat

Diversity

It is my intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, that students’ learning needs be addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. Please let me know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students or student groups. In addition, if any of our class meetings conflict with your religious events, please let me know so that we can make arrangements for you. Source: University of Iowa College of Education.

Accessibility (STAAR statement)

In accordance with federal and state law, Tufts University provides reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities.  If you believe you require an accommodation, email  accessiblity@tufts.edu or Catherine.Flynn@tufts.edu.

Student Handbook and Policies
Code of Conduct
Honor Code