General provisions

​The course is given in Master's Programme in International and European Law and Business.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. Also required is 90 credits in commercial law, legal science or business studies. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

The course provides an extended understanding of opportunities and challenges related to different ways of operating in international markets, such as cross-border trade, firm's entry and expansion into foreign markets, and international business partnerships.

After completing the course, the student will have acquired:

• the ability to define, explain, and compare relevant perspectives and theories on firm's internationalisation processes,
• the ability to critically discuss and reflect on firm's international expansion,
• the ability to, with limited information, analyse, assess, and manage complex business law phenomena, issues and situations in international business involving legal and/or ethical aspects,
• the ability to independently identify and formulate questions and to plan and use adequate methods to carry out qualified tasks within given timeframes,
• the ability to present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based orally and in writing in dialogue with different groups,
• developed ability to make assessments using integrated knowledge within international and European business law and internationalisation of business.

Content

The course covers the areas of international and European commercial law and internationalisation of companies. The course will develop and deepen students' knowledge of the structure of international and European commercial law as well as their sources, theories and methods. The course will also provide an ability to analyse and assess issues and situations regarding internationalisation processes. These two parts are integrated with each other in different ways during the course.

The course deals with business and legal issues regarding the growing, internationally active company as well as commercial law theory and method. From an internationalisation perspective, the course deals with e.g. decision-making about when, where, and how companies enter foreign markets as well as different theoretical perspectives on internationalisation processes. From a legal perspective, the course deals with e.g. cross-border trade and transport, international taxation and how a company can protect itself against the possible insolvency of counterparties. Questions about dispute resolution in an international context are also addressed.

Instruction

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, seminars, and practical application exercises (e.g. case). A large part of knowledge-collecting study consists of reading course literature and other course material. Problem-based learning in groups is also an important element.

The course is taught in English.

Assessment

The examination consists of the examination modules:

1. Oral and written presentation, 5 credits
2. Written individual test, 10 credits

and one grade is given for the whole course, 15 credits.

Grading criteria are presented in the study guide that applies to the course section. The grading scale used in examination module 1 is pass (G) and fail (U). The grading scale used in examinatin module 2 is pass with distinction (VG), pass (G), and fail (U). Final grades for the entire course are given with a pass with distinction (VG), pass (G) or fail (U). For final grade G on the entire course, at least a G grade must be obtained in all examination modules of the course. For final grade VG on the entire course, the grade VG must also be obtained at examination module 2.

Students who have received a grade U on examination module 1 have the opportunity to complete the assignment in accordance with the examiner's instructions. Completion must be carried out within a certain time from the time the student is assigned the assignment. If a student hasn't received a passing grade on Module 1, then the examination has to be retaken. This is only possible through re-registration during subsequent course sections. Re-examination of examination module 2 takes place at a special time for re-examinations or at subsequent course sessions.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions to the specified examination method and allow a student to be examined in another way. Special reasons may include, for example, the announcement of special pedagogical support from the university coordinator. 

Uppsala University does not accept cheating or plagiarism. Suspected incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, who may issue a formal warning to the student or suspend the student from studies for a certain period.

NOTE: Only completed courses can count toward a degree.