Course ID:  D74023BD

Credits: 2

Objective: Enhancing students' reading and comprehension skills for English legal documents, increasing their familiarity with legal terminology, and deepening their understanding of how countries like Japan, the United States, and European nations address various international and domestic legal issues. The aim is for students to consider how similar issues would be handled under our country's laws, exploring potential differences in processes and outcomes. This initiative seeks not only to improve students' English proficiency but also to strengthen their understanding of international law and foreign legal systems.

Course Prerequisites: 

1.University English

2.International Public Law

3.Civil Law

4.Criminal Law

Outline: The teacher will select excerpts, case studies, and important legal issues from English textbooks on international law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil law, as well as from English news reports. Each session will focus on a different topic for assigned reading and class discussion, aiming for a diverse selection of themes. This approach hopes to enhance students' interest in international law and foreign legal issues, deepen their understanding, and enrich their personal legal knowledge.

Teaching Method: Students will be assigned to read selected English legal news articles, papers, and case studies before class. During the class, students will present summaries, reflections, and insights on the readings. The teacher will then provide a line-by-line translation of the text, allowing students to compare their interpretations with the translation. Afterward, students are encouraged to raise any questions regarding the English phrases and legal issues presented in the assigned articles, which the teacher will address individually. This method aims to enhance students' reading and comprehension skills for English legal documents.

Reference:  

Mandarin

潘維大、程法彰編著：英美法導讀講義（第三版，瑞興圖書股份有限公司出版）民國九十二年 

English

1. Alexander Orakhelashvii, Akehurst''''s Modern Introduction to International Law, (8th edition, Routledge, 2019) 

2. Jerome Barron, Constitutional Law in a Nutshell (9th Edition, West Acadmic Publishing , 2016)

Course Schedule (subject to change):

Weekly Case Discussions

1. U.S. Withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty  

   Analyzing the implications of the U.S. decision to exit this crucial arms control agreement.

2. Akerhurst's Insights on Taiwan's Legal Status

   Examining the perspectives presented by British scholar Akerhurst regarding Taiwan's position under international law.

3. Norway's Supreme Court Ruling on the Svalbard Snow Crab Dispute

   Discussing the ruling in favor of Norway concerning the dispute with the European Union over snow crab fishing rights.

4. Japan's Withdrawal from the International Whaling Commission

   Reviewing Japan's decision in July 2019 to resume commercial whaling and its international implications.

5. Mickey Mouse and the Extension of U.S. Copyright Terms 

   Investigating how the iconic character has influenced ongoing debates about copyright duration in the United States.

6. Convictions of Japanese Diplomats for Domestic Violence Abroad

   Analyzing two cases where Japanese diplomats were convicted by host country courts for domestic abuse, highlighting issues of diplomatic immunity.

7. Georgia Diplomat's DUI Incident in the U.S.

   Discussing the case where the sending state waived immunity, leading to severe penalties for a Georgian diplomat involved in a DUI accident.

8. Panama and the Open Ship Registry System

   Exploring the reasons for the enduring popularity of open ship registration and the resulting issues associated with it.

9. Japan's 2014 Accession to the Hague Convention

   Examining Japan's challenges in implementing domestic laws to comply with international conventions on child abduction, leading to criticisms from the U.S.

10. CITES and Global Elephant Conservation Efforts

    Discussing the international efforts under the CITES treaty to protect elephants from extinction.

11. Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects

    Evaluating the international legal responsibilities of states for damages caused by artificial satellites and spacecraft upon re-entry or crash.

Evaluation: 

1. During regular classes, students will be required to give oral reports on the assigned reading materials for each session. This will help observe their reading diligence and progress, contributing to their overall participation grade. 

2. At the end of the semester, a specific English legal article will be assigned for students to study. They will be tasked with translating key points and writing personal commentary. The teacher will assess the accuracy and completeness of the students' understanding of the English text and legal concepts, which will be graded as the final exam. This final grade will be combined with their participation grade to determine their overall semester grade.