Course Overview:

This course provides an introduction to the legal and ethical frameworks that shape international business activities. Students will examine major areas of law affecting cross border commerce, including contracts, torts, intellectual property, employment law, and regulatory compliance. Emphasis is placed on navigating differences in legal systems, interpreting international trade agreements such as CUSMA and WTO protocols, and assessing how law intersects with corporate responsibility and ethical business practices. Through real-world case studies and legal analysis, students will learn to evaluate legal risks, apply dispute resolution methods, and interpret the legal obligations of multinational firms operating in culturally and jurisdictionally diverse environments. Special attention is given to anti-corruption conventions, human rights obligations, and the evolving role of ESG in international law.

Prerequisite:

  • The students must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education, or mature student status (19 years or older).
  • All applicants must meet one of the following Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR):
    • Completion of 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
    • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
    • Students from non-English speaking countries must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education and provide verified results for one of the English Language Proficiency tests with minimum scores listed below:
      • IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 50, CAEL 45, CELPIP 6.5, DET 105, PTE 47, PCE 175, CAMBRIDGE B2 Level, LANGUAGECERT B2 Level, MET B2 Level, ITEP 3.8, EIKEN Grade Pre-1. or
    • Provide proof of achieving at least 65% in Grade 12 English (or equivalent) from a recognized institution.
  • Mature Student Applicants
    • Applicants who are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and are unable to provide official secondary or post-secondary education records may demonstrate English proficiency by:
      • Submitting a signed attestation confirming they have completed at least three years of full-time education in English in a country where English is one of the primary languages and
      • Completing the Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) with the following minimum scores:
        • Reading: 235
        • Writing: 235
        • WritePlacer: 4

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  • Compare international legal systems and analyze their impact on global business operations, with attention to jurisdictional differences, legal harmonization, and regulatory environments.
  • Interpret international contracts, torts, and intellectual property rights to assess legal risks and ensure compliance and enforceability in cross-border transactions.
  • Evaluate employment law and corporate governance obligations across multiple jurisdictions, including labor standards, anti-discrimination laws, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
  • Analyze the structure, scope, and strategic implications of international trade agreements such as CUSMA, WTO, and other bilateral or multilateral arrangements.
  • Apply appropriate dispute resolution methods—such as litigation, arbitration, and mediation—to resolve international commercial conflicts effectively.
  • Assess ethical considerations and legal obligations related to corporate social responsibility, ESG reporting, anti-corruption laws, human rights, and sustainable business conduct in an international legal context.

Course Content & Topics:

Class 1: Introduction to International Business Law
Class 2: Contracts in International Business
Class 3: Torts and Product Liability
Class 4: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Class 5: Employment Law and Labor Standards
Class 6: Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Governance
Class 7: International Trade Agreements
Class 8: Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
Class 9: Anti-Corruption and Bribery Laws
Class 10: Human Rights and Business
Class 11: ESG and Corporate Responsibility
Class 12: Ethics in International Decision-Making
Class 13: Emerging Issues in International Law
Class 14: Capstone Case Analysis & Presentations

Credit Information:

  • Credits: 3

Duration:

  • 14 Weeks: 3 hrs/week

Course & Related Fees:

  • Domestic & International: $700 (Seven hundred dollars)

For a detailed breakdown, please refer to Policy #S-005 Programs & Course Fee Schedule

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • Application Fee: $50.00/course (payable online and non-refundable)