International Business Transactions (ILO-L230)

Spring 2026 · ILO L230 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

This course is an introduction to the law of international business transactions. It is designed to be accessible to students with diverse academic backgrounds, legal or otherwise. The course is divided into seven parts. Part 1 provides a general introduction to basic legal categories and taxonomies, such as private-public law, substantive-procedural law, and choice of law. Part 2 focuses on specific international business contracts and instruments, covering international sales contracts, letters of credit, commercial terms, and project finance. Part 3 addresses the role of the public sector in international business transactions. This involves considering the role of the State both as a contractor through State-owned enterprises or in investment contracts, and as a regulator in areas such as taxation, corruption, competition, and intellectual property. Part 4 presents regimes of international law relevant to international business, such as trade and investment law. Part 5 features corporate social responsibility as an essential ingredient of business transactions. Part 6 considers the settlement of international disputes, covering litigation, commercial arbitration, and investment arbitration. Finally, Part 7 relates to the enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards related to international business transactions. Class discussions will include examples from both global-north and global-south jurisdictions.

Course codes: ILO-L230

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