LAW Courses
LAW101 Law in Everyday Life (Credits:3)
This course presents the basic principles of law as we experience it in everyday life. It aims to inform students about their rights, duties and the predictable interactions people have with the legal system, from law enforcement to taxes and family law. Students will learn how law is made, how it is applied in courts and by administrative bodies, how it regulates private relations and relations between the citizen and the state, through analysis and discussion about situations and cases from real life. Assessment will include tests, papers, and presentations. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.
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LAW110 Introduction to Armenian Justice System (Credits:3)
This course explains the institutions and processes of the Armenian justice system as they affect the lives of citizens, businesses and government agencies, including general courts, specialized courts, criminal, civil and administrative processes. The course aims to equip students to understand their rights and remedies for violation of rights, as well as the role of various government bodies, courts, police, prosecutors, regulators, in the administration and establishment of justice in Armenian society. Instructor-led course will draw on case studies to examine a range of common situations students, citizens, and businesses face in everyday life.
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LAW142 Introduction to Human Rights (Credits:3)
The Introduction to Human Rights course will introduce students to the key concepts, rules and debates in the theory and the practice of contemporary international human rights. In particular, the course focuses on the historical development and philosophical and political foundations of human rights. Students will also explore international and national mechanisms for the protection of human rights, e.g. UN treaty and charter mechanisms, European systems of human rights protection, national judiciaries, human rights institutions and civil society organizations. Students will examine selected human rights and freedoms in order to understand human rights in practice. At the end of the course students learn the national and international legal grounds for limitations and derogations from human rights. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW160 Law & Justice in Popular Culture (Credits:3)
This course explores how legal concepts, role models, and professional ethos in popular culture promote and reinforce the rule of law. The course aims to explore how dedicated individuals using the skills and arts of persuasive and knowledge of the law can expand justice in their societies by the use of legal mechanisms. Through the medium of film and literature followed by class discussion, the following basic concepts are reviewed: social contract theory, professional ethics, rule of law (e.g. resort to courts and legal structures to resolve conflict as an alternative to violence), comparative review of legal systems (e.g. use of juries, class action mechanisms, etc.) and standard defendant rights (right against self?incrimination, right to counsel), professional responsibility for attorneys and judicial ethics, and legal advocacy.
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LAW201 Armenian Constitution (Credits:3)
The course aims to present the evolution, structure and content of the Armenian Constitution in historical and comparative perspective. The course will analyze the Armenian Constitution and its role in social, economic, and political life, including such topics as the separation of powers, the system of checks and balances, supremacy of the constitution, constitutional rights and values, and the roles, powers and responsibilities of various constitutionally defined government structures, including the President, the National Assembly, the Government, judiciary and local self-government bodies. Special emphasis will be placed on direct application of constitutional provisions, including the protection of fundamental civil and human rights. Instructor-led discussion, along with reading and written assignments.
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Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed
LAW202 Legal Anthropology (Credits:3)
This course aims at introducing and discussing issues on law-abiding and law-making behavior in its broader cultural context as an aspect of human society. Topics include development/establishment of norms, their relation to justice, cultural values, social structures, and institutions, and means of promotion of compliance in different societies through socialization, education, enforcement and punishment. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.
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Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed
LAW262 Public Advocacy (Credits:3)
Increasingly lawyers, because of their insight into public policy, are called upon to use their skills to advocate in the court of public opinion and other fora beyond the formal courtroom and deliberative assembly. This course aims to equip students with models and skills to be effective public advocates. In addition to learning theoretical models and case studies, students will be called upon to design advocacy strategies and make written and oral presentations in simulations of public deliberation.
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LAW300 International Legal English (Credits:3)
This course introduces students to English terminology and constructs related to basic legal concepts and general aspects of legal systems. The course also teaches students to perform legal practice skills in English as they relate to the following commercial law topics: company formation and management; capitalization; contract negotiation; remedies and assignment; employment issues; sale of goods law; real and intellectual property problems; negotiable instruments; secured transactions; debtor?creditor interactions; and competition law. More than other fields, precision and competence in written expression is a tool of the legal profession. The course reinforces core reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in English and prepares students to obtain the International Legal English Certification upon successful completion of the ILEC exam. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW304 Legal Methods and Argumentation (Credits:2)
This course is a legal problem solving based introduction to legal method and legal analysis as practiced in Western law today. Students will learn basic research skills, sources of precedent, the role of precedent and the development of precedent in the common law, the reading and “briefing” of cases, the reading and interpretation of statutes, the legal analysis of factual problems, objective legal writing (IRAC method) and basic legal argument. Argumentation is the use of effective reasoning to persuasively communicate an idea or position. Since classical times, argumentation has been a highly valued skill, even an art form. In this course, students will learn how to make deductive and inductive arguments; how to identify and utilize the elements of rhetoric; how to evaluate the claims, evidence, and inferences underlying arguments; how to understand and manipulate burdens of proof; and generally how to identify and utilize other argumentation frameworks and techniques. To complete the course students must present an argument, field questions from the class and/or participate in a formal debate with another student.
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LAW305 Legal Profession (Credits:1)
This course will examine the basic rules that govern the conduct of lawyers with respect to their clients, third parties and the courts, using as a guide case law, ethics opinions, the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the New York Rules of Professional Conduct and Rules on Advocate’s behavior in the Republic of Armenia. The emphasis will be on practical, real-world application of the rules, principally in a law firm setting. Among the topics that will be covered are the formation and termination of the attorney-client relationship, conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, special issues relating to corporate clients, multijurisdictional and unauthorized practice, and legal malpractice and discipline. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW310 RA Civil Law Basics (Credits:2)
For non-LLBs This course will introduce the Civil Law thorough understanding of such fundamental categories as natural or legal persons, joint-stock companies, contracts and torts. It examines the basic principles of the Armenian Civil law and provides an understanding of private law basics, as it sets out the norms of conduct in both daily life and commercial activities. To that the Course will enable enhanced understanding of the Civil Code’s place as a cornerstone of all private law, followed by examination of the legal status of natural and legal persons, property law and transactions. The course will also incorporate instruction on the basics of contract law, including the most common contract varieties, as well as tort and inheritance law. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW315 Survey of American Law (Credits:3)
This course aims to give an overview of American law for non-US-lawyers. It approaches American law from a comparative, systemic point of view. The course examines the institutions, processes and main substantive areas of US law, viewing US legal system as a well-developed model, whose operation, evolution, problems and trends are well studied and documented. The course requires extensive reading of primary US materials (court decisions, statutes, regulations) as well as secondary sources on US legal doctrines and the American/common law way of thinking about legal problems. Upon completing the course, students should be able to identify the typical ways legal issues are handled in the US system in various common fields of law and to be able to explain them in terms of other legal systems they may be familiar with, e.g., the Armenian or continental legal systems. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW318 Introduction to American Law (Credits:1)
This course introduces the United States legal system and is designed specifically for students who come from jurisdictions other than the U.S. During the course the students will learn about the State and Federal judicial system of the United States, structures and functions of different legal institutions. They will learn about the legal concepts specific to common law and will be introduced to major landmark cases that have become the bases of the nowadays-legal system. The topics will include jury trials, subject matter and personal jurisdiction, etc. The students will be offered to compare and discuss the peculiarities of the American law with the laws and concepts of own jurisdictions.
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LAW319 Topics in American Law (Credits:3)
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LAW328 Introduction to Labor Law (Credits:1)
This course examines International and Armenian laws governing issues related to employment law (such as: fair and equal treatment, work place safety, etc.), as well as issues related to safety of personal information (personal data) and labor contract information confidentiality at work place. The course will be focusing on World Labor Organization (WLO) adopted principles, US and EU employments peculiarities including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Armenian Labor Code main guiding principles. The primary focus of the course will be national labor law, including neighboring laws. The course will also have analytical and practical assignments on labor contract drafting and court case study examples. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW330 European Union Law (Credits:3)
This course gives an overview of the European Union institutional and legal structure, its foundation documents, and regulatory framework, as well as issues relating to transactions and economic activity in the EU. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW334 European Convention on Human Rights (Credits:3)
This course gives an overview of the European Convention on Human Rights and the procedures for appealing cases to the ECHR. Topics include applicability of ECHR in domestic courts, a survey of the most important ECHR precedents and trends. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW339 Topics in European Law (Credits:3)
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LAW340 Public International Law (Credits:2)
From a legal problem solving perspective this course explores public international law in both an Armenian and regional context. Topics reviewed include sources of public international law and its contemporary development, the expanding scope of international actors (including non?State actors like corporations), the utility of international and domestic fora and reviewing modern day challenges to future public international law development. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW341 International Law from an Armenian Perspective (Credits:3)
This problem-oriented course aims is to teach students the specifics of rules of international law as they apply to Armenia and Armenian issues. Topics will include current international law issues facing Armenia, including the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, EU-Armenia relations, Armenia-Turkey Relations, national security and trans-border environmental and cultural heritage issues. The course is practice oriented, going beyond analysis of applicable legal norms and precedents to consider available enforcement mechanisms, and remedies. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW342 Human Rights Law (Credits:3)
By presenting legal problems for discussion and resolution, this course introduces students to the principles and the practice of contemporary human rights law in the world and in an Armenian context. Attention is given to the development of individual claims against states regarding issues of torture; civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and women and ethnic minority rights. Also explored are contemporary challenges to international humanitarian law and individual accountability through the development of international criminal law. Sources of law reviewed include international treaties, customary law and Armenian legislation. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW344 International Criminal Law (Credits:2)
International criminal law is a rapidly growing modern discipline of law. The historical goal for the development of this discipline was to end the impunity of individuals responsible for mass atrocities. International criminal law is a body of law containing legal provisions, institutions and traditions from pubic international law, comparative criminal law and human rights law. One of the aims of this course is to introduce students the key areas of international criminal law by engaging them in reading, researching, problem solving exercises and discussion regarding the most important aspects of this discipline. The other aim of this course is to promote interest in international criminal law among the members of the legal community of Armenia. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW345 Human Rights & Criminal Justice (Credits:3)
In this course students explore a number of fundamental human rights that are applicable during criminal procedure from the moment of arrest to the final appellate decision. These criminal justice rights are examined in various situations where such a right may compete with other values and public interests, e.g. effective control of and fight against criminality. It is in such situations that different societies or decision-makers and policy-makers engage with complex and often controversial choices. The first part of this course will concentrate on pre-trial rights in the phase of investigation, while the second part focuses on trial rights during trial and appellate phases. The last two classes conclude this course by exploring the causes and solutions of ‘wrongful convictions’, a phenomenon that draws increasing attention in parallel to technological and scientific development. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW348 International Humanitarian Law (Credits:2)
This course immerses students in the principles and the practice of contemporary International Humanitarian Law through an evolving complex case study. To teach advocacy and analytical skills, students are assigned various roles as they represent the interests of conflicting parties, divergent governmental interests and international organizations. Specific areas of IHL addressed include the qualification of armed conflicts, legal protections for non?combatants, prisoners of war, civilians, and cultural property as well as legal limits on the use of weaponry. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW349 Topics in Public International Law (Credits:3)
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LAW350 Business Organizations (Credits:3)
This course focuses on corporations, their formation and structure, the role of shareholders, management, regulators and other stakeholders, capital structures, kinds of securities, corporate financing, open vs. closed companies, and typical transactions and documents involved in corporate formation and investments. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW351 Project Financing (Credits:2)
Project financing has become an increasingly preferred and used method of a combination of financing and investment. Although different methods of project financing are used in developed countries, in developing countries it is mostly used for implementation of major infrastructural projects, such as construction of roads, power plants, gas and oil pipelines, refineries, etc. It is also used in mining exploration, exploitation and development as well as in development of large industries, such as construction, equipping and putting into operation of large industrial complexes.
The course is intended to offer practical knowledge of some more common types of project financing such as Export Credit, Buy-Back, BOT and BOOT aimed at providing the participants with the necessary skills for examination, commenting on negotiating such contracts. It is also aimed at improving the contract drafting skills of the participants.
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LAW352 International Business Transactions (Credits:2)
This course covers basic international sales of goods and services transactions, leasing, licensing, as well as investment, financial and secured transactions, and the typical kinds of documents and issues practitioners and client face in such transactions, including choice of law, dispute resolution, intellectual property, security, authority, custom s, tax and other regulatory matters. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW353 Banking and Securities Regulation (Credits:2)
It will not be an exaggeration to say that financial sector as one of the main drivers of a national economy is also most heavily regulated one, and that is true for jurisdictions throughout the world. The course is intended introduce the students to the fundamental principles and targets of banking and securities market regulation, the regulation logic and goals it seeks to achieve. The course focuses on the regulatory regime of financing of businesses, their interaction with professional market participants, investors and regulators. It is structured in way that allows the students to capture general ideas and principles applicable worldwide as well as to get sense of peculiarities of Armenian financial regulatory system. After completing this course, students will be able to understand the regulatory goals and tools of market efficiency, investor protection and financial stability. Throughout the course financial regulation and policies will be discussed both at the domestic and international level. The course will help the students critically evaluate new developments in banking and securities regulation and their implementation in different contexts.
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LAW354 Tax Law (Credits:2)
National taxation plays an important role in the public and economic policy of any country, serving many ends: economic, social, political, moral to name a few. However, in light of increasing crossborder mobility of goods, services, capital and labor, taxes became a crucial tool for international policy and economic competition. This course is an introduction to international aspects of taxation with particular focus on tax competition, double taxation treaties, transfer pricing. The course will also examine how the tax system of Armenia is facing the challenges posed by the rapidly integrating global economy. The Armenian perspective on each of the major topics discussed will be presented throughout the course. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW355 Corporate Governance (Credits:2)
The Corporate Governance course presents and examines the main theories and practical issues of
corporate structure, agency problem, shareholder primacy, control, as well as boardroom structure,
strategies, corporate officials’ compensation. The course will also present the current discussions on
newly emerging and developing financial investment mechanisms, such as hedge funds and private equity
funds and their impact over the issues of corporate governance. The course will include readings covering
the law and practice of the United States, European countries, and comparative analysis will be conducted
with the Armenian legislation and practice. In the end of the course several issues of corporate criminal
liability, compliance, and freedom of speech will also be explored.
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LAW356 Intellectual Property (Credits:2)
This course aims to give students an overview of the kinds of intellectual property rights (copyright, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, etc.) and to introduce the fundamentals of intellectual property law through discussion and analyses of leading US court decisions. The course will also explore the main differences between the European, Armenian and the US Intellectual Property legislation and case law, as well as discuss the main issues involved in IP protection, registration, licensing, and litigation. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW357 Public-Private Partnerships and Armenian Legislation (Credits:1)
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LAW358 International Investment Law (Credits:2)
This course focuses on a very specific field – the law of protection of foreign investments. In particular, the content of the course will provide deep knowledge on substantive standards for protection, which are afforded to foreign investors through domestic legislation, bilateral and multilateral treaties, as well as through customary international law (e.g. fair and equitable treatment, protection from expropriation). Along with the substantive standards of protection, students will learn about potential venues, where they can seek protection for their clients, together with the applicable procedural and institutional framework for investor-state dispute settlement (ICSID, UNCITRAL, PCA).
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LAW359 Topics in Business Law (Credits:2)
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LAW363 Topics in Comparative Law (Credits:2)
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LAW364 Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Credits:2)
Data protection and Freedom of Information Course provides a grounding in core elements of information law, focusing especially on those aspects that relate to processing of data online by data controllers and processor (Facebook, Google and not only), it also considers aspects relating to individual natural persons as subjects of information, as actors, engaged in freedom of expression or citizens, seeking information. A number of cross-cutting themes will be considered, especially as these relate to the general tension between rights and interests grounded on the openness of information, on the one hand and privacy of a person, on the other. The course will elucidate the relevance of the quality or the character of information, the context in which information has been obtained, the definition and relevance of the ‘public domain’ and the definition and relevance of the dissemination of information in the ‘public interest’.
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LAW365 Administrative Law (Credits:3)
Individuals deal with administrative law from the moment their birth certificate is issued until the issuance of their death certificate, as well as every time they cross a street regulated by traffic lights in between. Administrative law regulates the exercise of many fundamental human rights, such as the freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression and regulation of media, freedom of religion and free enjoyment of property. In many countries administrative law also regulates the launch and conduct of business, such as business registrations, licenses and inspections. In some countries administrative law governs eligibility for government benefits. Finally, administrative law guarantees judicial review of administrative action as a remedy against unlawful agency action. The aim of this course is to provide students with advanced knowledge of administrative law from Armenian, American and European perspectives, as well as to develop a number of skills necessary for practicing administrative law in Armenia. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW366 Topics in Constitutional Law (Credits:3)
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LAW367 Negotiations (Credits:2)
Dispute resolution and transactions are two important processes that nearly everyone, especially lawyers, engages in at some point in their practice. Both involve skillful communication and negotiation. This course aims to give students a framework to develop their skills for conducting orderly and effective negotiations, including preparation for negotiations and techniques for handling typical situations that arise in legal, business, and regular daily-life negotiations, as well as dispute settlements.
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LAW368 Topics in Alternative Dispute Resolution (Credits:2)
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LAW369 Topics in ECHR: PostSoviet and Regional Caselaw (Credits:3)
During this course students will critically study a number of selected judgments and decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in respect of the states in the Eastern and Central European region, as well as by post-Soviet states parties to the ECHR. As a result of such intensive case-studies, students will identify the structural, systemic causes and patterns of violations of the ECHR rights in the region. Students will also become proficient in analyzing, comparing, discussing and presenting complex international judgments. They will be able to identify the applicable judgment, distinguish it from inapplicable judgments and apply it to relevant factual situations to solve legal problems. In addition to regional knowledge on human rights violations and their causes, student will acquire skills for drafting complaints and making submissions to the ECtHR. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW370 International, European & National Environmental Law (Credits:3)
Environmental law is a global issue. This problem-oriented course introduces the various international European and national environmental law standards and frameworks applicable to various spheres of environmental concern. This course aims to familiarize students with the key concepts in the field of environment and considers how the environmental law may be used to facilitate environmental protection. The course will discuss the history, development, sources and principles of international environmental law and provide an overview of the international legal system in the context of environmental protection. The course will review the global issues related to environment, such as the environmental impact assessment and public participation, atmospheric protection, climate change, transboundary water and biodiversity to analyze the creation, implementation and effectiveness of international and the national environmental law. The course will address the role that international institutions play in the field of environment. The course will pay particular attention to global environmental problems such as the conservation of biological diversity and the international responses to climate change. The course will examine cross cutting issues, including the relationship between human rights and the protection of the environment. It will present the environment related case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. The course will cover the problems related to mining policy issues in Armenia. The course intends to provide overview of nuclear safety and civil protection legislation of Armenia. Three hours of instructorled discussion per week.
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LAW371 Introduction to Environmental Law (Credits:1)
This course focuses on International and Armenian laws governing issues related to air pollution, water and forest resources protection, biodiversity safety and land contamination. Moreover, the course will provide with a brief introduction to issues related to special protected natural areas and laws regulating specific environmental ecosystems existing in Armenia. Environmental impact assessment (EPA), control over payments for natural resources utilization and environmental pollution fees will be discussed during the course with connection to regulatory mechanisms incorporated into national civil, administrative and criminal legal acts. The course will also include the analysis of local and international case-law related to environmental protection. At the end, a hypothetical case study will be introduced for a mock-trial related to a common environmental law case. One hour of instructor-led discussion per week.
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LAW380 Artificial Intelligence and Law (Credits:1)
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LAW390 Master’s Paper (Credits:3)
This is the Program’s capstone experience, completed under the supervision of Program’s faculty. The Master’s Paper requires substantial research and writing and may include field work or case studies. Students shall select topics and determine the appropriate format and kind of research required in conjunction with the faculty advisor. All 2nd Year Students should enroll in this course in the Fall Semester and plan to complete their Master’s Paper by the end of the term.
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LAW391 Independent Study (Credits:3)
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LAW392 Clinical (Credits:3)
The Clinical Opportunities are designed to permit students to gain practical experience in a law-related institution (e.g., courts, parliament, administrative body, NGO, mediation program) under the supervision of an experienced practitioner or legal researcher. Clinicals are non-credit, extracurricular activities. They are also an opportunity to do public service and gain experience as a practitioner. They should be approached with the same professionalism as any work assignment and with the same seriousness as regular, graded academic work. Clinicals may also involve internships, externships, or research at the AUA Legal Research Center or other approved site. Check with the Program Chair about Clinical Opportunities.
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