Introduction to American Law

This course is designed for business people, legal professionals and anyone with a keen interest in American legal culture and in understanding the important role that law and the legal system plays in American life. This is an introductory course that will examine how case law and legislation is developed, as well as discuss some of the differences between U.S. legal traditions and those found in civil law regions such as Japan or Europe. Selected substantive law areas will be addressed, including constitutional law, contracts, torts, products liability, intellectual property law, and procedural law. Relevant areas of public international law will also be briefly discussed.

1. Work with and understand US legal material including cases, treatises, and legislation.
2. Apply US legal material and standards to problems.
3. Evaluate, orally and in writing, complex legal issues.

Business people, legal professionals, and anyone with a keen interest in American legal culture and in understanding the important role that the law and the legal system play in American life.

No required textbook

Johnathan McCaskill

Johnathan McCaskill is a US-qualified lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience, including over 15 years of international law practice. He has worked as a lawyer for several international organizations including the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), where he has advised on human rights laws, criminal investigations and prosecution tactics.