This course examines the legal and ethical issues relevant to business and its interaction with society. Students learn about major areas of regulation and of ethical importance, including tort liability, corporate law, employment and labor law, intellectual property law, financial regulation, social responsibility, and business ethics. Students gain experience in how to interpret and apply legal rules and ethical concepts in a variety of contexts.

This course explores the legal and ethical issues implicated in the modern workplace and the employer-employee relationship. Students learn about important legal and ethical issues implicated in hiring, firing, discrimination, harassment, and accommodation of employees. Emphasis will also be placed on legal and ethical issues at work such as family leave, safety and health, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students gain experience in how to prevent disputes, minimize legal risk, and apply employment law principles for beneficial social responsibility and impact.

This course examines the human rights implications of multinational enterprises’ global operations. Students learn how to assess corporate social impact through a human rights framework, consider the challenges of regulating the human rights impacts of global business, analyze international policy responses, and evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches to enforcing human rights standards for corporations.

This course examines sustainability in the context of the natural and social ecosystems in which business operates. Students learn how the environmental and social impacts of business are affected by the interactions of firms with laws and legal institutions, markets, and society globally. Students gain experience assessing firm policies and practices and developing legally-astute and ethically-aware policies to achieve sustainability and to generate positive environmental and social outcomes.

Examines corporate social responsibility (CSR), accountability, and related concepts. Students learn about the actors, processes, legal and social norms that shape firm’s management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues from a global and human rights perspective. Students gain experience in identifying and critically assessing market-based solutions to societal challenges.

This course examines legal and social norms that impact international business transactions. Students learn about the functioning of the international legal system and how to navigate the legal environment of international trade and foreign investment. Students gain experience in negotiating and drafting international contracts, preventing and resolving international disputes, and how to include international legal and ethical considerations in their business decisions.

Examines the legal and regulatory environment relevant to financial markets. Students will learn how rules related to the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies regulate and preserve the integrity of securities transactions and practices. Topics will also include the legal and ethical responsibilities of corporate managers and executives, accountants, underwriters, and broker-dealers, as well as the global and transnational aspects of securities transactions. Students gain experience identifying and resolving potential violations of securities laws and ensuring that an organization is in full legal compliance with relevant regulations.

This course investigates the legal and ethical issues surrounding the compliance function from an organizational perspective. Students will learn about relevant compliance regulations as well as how compliance leaders introduce and sustain an ethical culture of integrity in the enterprise. Compliance will also be viewed from a global perspective, incorporating ethical, legal, and cultural challenges and opportunities in a global compliance program. Students gain experience in how to manage compliance issues, minimize risk of legal non-compliance, and implement compliance initiatives effectively.

This course examines the impact of rapidly evolving technologies on how business operates in society. Students will learn about the legal, ethical, and social responsibilities of business to society when a new technology is introduced. Topics will include artificial intelligence, big data, data collection and mining, data privacy, cryptocurrency, proprietary technology, among others. Students gain experience in understanding the broader implications of new technologies in organizations and how to apply standards and guidelines in order to ensure responsible impacts on individuals and society.

Special topics related to business social responsibility, accountability, sustainability, ESG, or human rights taken in a travel course or a foreign study program course. Obtaining credit for foreign study program courses requires prior consent from the Program Director.

Investigation and discussion of special topics in law.

Investigation and discussion of special topics in law.

Faculty-student interaction on a one-to-one basis involving independent study of specific areas of law. Emphasis, selected by the student, may be on theoretical or applied aspects. A written report is required.