Foreign and International Legal Research

This course will introduce students to concepts and skills used in international and foreign law research. Students will learn to construct successful research strategies for questions of foreign law, public international law, and private international law. Both primary and secondary authority will be covered in various formats. Students will understand how different legal systems and cultures influence the use and assessment of legal resources. The course will also equip students to critically evaluate current and future research tools. No pre-requisites or foreign language ability required. Advanced degree and non-law students are welcome to enroll in the course. Learning Outcomes -- *Identify primary and secondary sources of materials on international law and foreign legal systems. *Develop effective research strategies using online and print resources. *Critically evaluate research tools for international and foreign legal research. *Appreciate cultural and historical influences on the development of legal systems and their relevance to legal research. *Understand the role of language and translation tools in researching foreign and international law. Elements used in grading: Weekly assignments and class attendance.