Fall 2010 Course Schedule

International Finance (LAW-653-001)
Gelpern

Meets: 10:30 AM - 11:50 AM (MW) - Room 103

Enrolled: 19 / Limit: 23

Administrator Access


Notices

There are no notices at this time.

Description

In 1970, 90% of international transactions represented trade in goods and services. On the eve of the latest financial crisis, up to 90% of international transactions reflected movement of capital unrelated to trade. This course examines the evolving legal regime that governs cross-border capital movements in the wake of the crisis. We will consider current issues in international finance from the transactional, regulatory, and policy perspectives – reflecting the different functions of the law in this area. Beyond basic legal concepts relevant to international banking, securities and currency markets, we will address topics including crisis response, international institutions, government debt, foreign assistance and microfinance.

The syllabus assumes no prior background in finance, economics, banking or securities law. It includes an overview of selected national and international legal systems for international financial transactions, and the policy environment in which they take place.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

(1) HAL S. SCOTT
INTERNATIONAL FINANCE: TRANSACTIONS, POLICY, AND REGULATION
Seventeenth Edition
Foundation Press 2010
ISBN:9781599418490

(2) PAUL BLUSTEIN
THE CHASTENING
Public Affairs 2003 *Available in paperback*
ISBN:978-1586481810

Additional materials will be made available from time to time on MyWCL.

First Class Readings

Monday, August 23 – Introduction

Scott, Chapter 1, pp. 1-23 Blustein, Chapters 1 and 10 Declaration of the Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy, Nov. 15, 2008, at http://www.g20.org/Documents/g20_summit_declaration.pdf (skim) The G-20 Toronto Summit Declaration, June 27, 2010, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/g-20-toronto-summit-declaration (skim)

Questions for Discussion:

  • Please list at least five international financial transactions involved in the events Blustein describes. What makes them international?
  • Please list the public and private entities responsible for preventing and managing financial crises. What are the sources and scope of their authority? How do they relate to one another?
  • How was the crisis of 2008 different from the crisis of 1998?
  • Based on your reading of the G-20 summit declarations, what has changed in the regulatory and institutional landscape?
  • What lessons do you take from the events of 1998 for the current crisis?

NOTE: Course questionnaire is posted on MyWCL.

Syllabus

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