Paris Summer Program Course Descriptions & Schedule (Tentative)

Course Descriptions

Introduction to French and European Union Law (June 2-12)

For participants from the United States and Canada
(2 credits)

This introduction to French and European Law has two main goals. The first goal is to provide a solid foundation for understanding both the French legal system, which relies on statute law and codes as its primary source of law, and the unique European legal system, which relies on treaty law as its primary source of law and on regulations and directives. All subjects addressed during this course will address the interaction between French and European law.

The second goal of this course is to make a close study of key legal terminology in order to avoid some of the most common misunderstandings that arise among French and American lawyers. In particular, we will explore some of the fundamental differences that lurk behind deceptively similar terms, such as contrat in French and contract in English.

While building a solid foundation for understanding French and European law, this course will also cover a wide variety of particular topics. At the outset, we will examine closely the specialized French court system, paying attention to the three French Superior Courts and to the difference between the French Conseil Constitutionnel and the U.S. Supreme Court, and look at how they are integrated into the larger European system (including the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice and the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights). Next, we will look at the two most basic areas of civil law, namely contrat and responsabilité délictuelle, which are the functional equivalents of (though by no means identical to) contract and tort in Anglo-American law. In both cases, we will look at the profound effects that European law has on French law and courts, such as in the fields of product liability and consumer protection law. We will emphasize the need for students to understand the European legal system as a complex continuum in which domestic laws and courts interact directly with international laws and courts. We will illustrate the operation of this system through a case study.

The study of European law per se will start by introducing the current institutions and placing them into the larger perspective of ongoing institutional reform and the recent enlargement that brought 10 new countries into the European Union. We will study the free circulation of goods and services, which are two keystones of the internal market, and will take a close look at the European legal framework governing lawyers. Finally, we will look at another aspect of public law, namely the role and treatment of constitutional, fundamental, and human rights in the French and European legal systems.

During the two-week course, students will have opportunities to visit French courts; interact with a number of French, European, and American lawyers; and take a field trip to Brussels, where they will hear lectures by members of the commission or its staff.

Specialized Comparative Law Courses (June 15-June 27)

Each participant must choose one course. These courses will be limited to 25 students each. Some students may not receive their first choice.

Comparative Criminal Justice (2 credits) This course compares the US approach to criminal justice with that of European countries through readings and lively discussions. Specifically, we will consider the rights of one charged with an offense during investigation and interrogation, the right to counsel, search and seizure law, plea bargaining, the roles of judges, lawyers and victims, and trial rules and proceedings.

Comparative Equality (Civil Rights) Law (2 credits) This course examines issues of equality (civil rights), including hate speech (France, Germany, US); same-sex marriage (France, Denmark, US); sexual harassment (France, US); affirmative action (France, India, US); discrimination remedies (France, Britain, US); religious apparel in public schools (France, Turkey, US); and reparations (Germany, US).

Comparative Labor Law (2 credits) This course compares the US approach to labor law with that of European countries. A further description will be posted when available.

Comparative Corporate Law (2 credits) Using a comparative and functional approach, the course examines the various regulatory and governance strategies employed in different legal systems to address three recurring problems of corporation law: mediating the tensions between owners and managers, between majority owners and minority owners, and between the corporation and society. The primary comparison will be between US and French/EU law. There is no prerequisite for this course.

Comparative Remedies Law (2 credits) This course examines the remedies available in torts, contracts, and property law (i.e., kinds of damages, injunctive relief), comparing American remedies with French and other EU remedies, and the procedures available for seeking relief (i.e., jury trials, restraining orders). There is a special emphasis on environmental law and justice.

Tentative schedule of classes:

Saturday May 30
4:00 PM Check in to IBIS Hotel
5:30 PM Optional walking tour

Sunday May 31
Orientation
Welcome cruise on the Seine
Welcome dinner in the Latin Quarter

Monday June 1
Noon Check out of IBIS Hotel
4:00 PM Check in to dorms at Cite University

Tuesday June 2
Classes begin - Introduction to French & European Union Law
Class 1 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:45 PM (14:45)
Class 2 - 3:00 PM (15:00) - 4:15 PM (16:15)
Class 3 - 4:30 PM (16:30) - 5:30 PM (17:30)

You can wear student casual clothes today (jeans, etc.).

Wednesday June 3
Classes, followed by visit to the Conseil d'État
Class 4 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:45 PM (14:45)
Class 5 - 3:00 PM (15:00) - 4:15 PM (16:15)
5:15 PM (17:15) - 6:15 PM (18:15)
Lecture and tour at the Conseil d'État (Supreme Court for administrative matters). We will travel together by Metro from Nanterre to Palais Royal, the site of the Court.

For our Supreme Court visit please wear business clothes. For men, this means tailored slacks or ironed khakis, leather shoes with socks, and a tie with a tie-appropriate shirt. You don't need to wear a suit, and don't need a jacket if the weather is warm. If you wear a jacket, it should be a blazer or sports coat. For women, tailored slacks are fine, as are dresses or skirts. Tops should cover the midriff. Shoes should be comfortable for walking, but dressier than athletic shoes.

Thursday June 4
Classes, followed by visit to the Cour de Cassation
Class 6 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:45 PM (14:45)
Class 7 - 3:00 PM (15:00) - 4:15 PM (16:15)
5:30 PM (17:30) - 6:30 PM (18:30) (Lecture and tour at the Cour de Cassation (Supreme Court for civil and criminal matters). We will travel together by Metro from Nanterre to St. Michel, and walk to the Palais de Justice.

Following our visit to the Court, you may want to visit Saint Chapelle, a beautiful chapel within the palace, with spectacular stained glass windows. It is a popular venue for concerts.

Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

Friday June 5
Classes, followed by reception and dinner with English-speaking French law students
Class 8 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:45 PM (14:45)
Class 9 - 3:00 PM (15:00) - 4:15 PM (16:15)

Field Trip & Reception: Location TBA
Following today's classes we will have a reception with a group of English-speaking French law students. At the conclusion of the reception you'll be asked to break into groups of 3-4 US and 3-4 French students to go off to dinner together. (We'll supply you with 20 Euros each to cover the cost of dinner).

Sunday June 7
Late morning train to Brussels
Check in at IBIS Hotel
Dinner at Chez Leon

Monday June 8
Briefings at the European Commission
Late afternoon train to Paris

Tuesday June 9
Classes, followed by visit to Baker & McKenzie (TBA)
Class 10 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:45 PM (14:45)
Class 11 - 3:00 PM (15:00) - 4:15 PM (16:15)
5:15-6:30PM: Lectures and visit with Baker & McKenzie's Paris offices.

Wednesday June 10
Class 12 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:45 PM (14:45)
Class 13 - 3:00 PM (15:00) - 4:15 PM (16:15)
Class 14 - 4:30 PM (16:30) - 5:30 PM (17:30)

Thursday June 11
Classes, followed by optional review session
Class 15 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:30 PM (14:30)
Class 16 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)
Optional Review Session - 4:00 PM (16:00) - 5:00 PM (17:00)

Friday June 12
11:00 AM Exam in Introduction to French & European Union Law.

Monday June 15
Classes (electives) followed by panel discussion of comparative law
Class 1 - 1:00 PM (13:00) - 2:30 (14:30)
Class 2 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)
Panel Discussion - 4:00 PM (16:00) - 5:00 PM (17:00)

Tuesday June 16
Classes followed by panel discussion of international trade law
Class 3 - 1:00 PM (13:00) - 2:30 (14:30)
Class 4 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)
Panel Discussion - 4:00 PM (16:00) - 5:00 PM (17:00)

Wednesday June 17
Classes followed by panel discussion of comparative criminal law
Class 5 - 1:00 PM (13:00) - 2:30 (14:30)
Class 6 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)
Panel Discussion - 4:00 PM (16:00) - 5:00 PM (17:00)

Thursday June 18
Class 7 - 1:00 PM (13:00) - 2:30 (14:30)
Class 8 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)

Friday June 19 - Monday June 22
Four-day weekend

Tuesday June 23
Class 9 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:30 (14:30)
Class 10 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)

Wednesday June 24
Classes followed by panel discussion of comparative racial inequality
Class 11 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:30 (14:30)
Class 12 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)
Panel Discussion - 4:00 PM (16:00) - 5:30 PM (17:30)

Thursday June 25
Classes followed by panel discussion of comparative environmental justice
Class 13 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:30 (14:30)
Class 14 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)
Panel Discussion - 4:00 PM (16:00) - 5:30 PM (17:30)

Friday June 26
Class 15 - 1:30 PM (13:30) - 2:30 (14:30)
Class 16 - 2:45 PM (14:45) - 3:45 PM (15:45)
Possible review sessions

Saturday June 27
1:30 PM Final Exam (electives) followed by closing reception

Sunday June 28 - Tuesday June 30 (9:00 AM)
Check out from Cite University.

Monday June 29 - Friday July 10
Optional Volunteer Internships

US, Canadian and other common law students should contact Professor Oppenheimer at 415-442-6655 or dbo@ggu.edu

French and other civil law students should contact Professor Deysine at anne.deysine@u-paris10.fr

Approved by the American Bar Association

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