Asian Law Center

LL.M. Curriculum

The Asia, Global Business & Development LL.M. program requires three quarters (nine months) of residence at the University of Washington, during which the student must complete a minimum of 40 quarter credits.

• Asian Law Track
• Global Business Law Track
• Sustainable International Development Law Track

Asian Law Track

REQUIRED courses

Comparative Legal Studies Seminar and Graduate Writing Seminar in Asia, Global Business and Development Law

The central requirement of the Asian Law specialization is an independent research project that is satisfied by completing the Law B551 Comparative Legal Studies Seminar and the Law B557 Graduate Writing Seminar in Asia, Global Business and Development Law. The courses provide an introduction to comparative legal scholarship and comparative methods for research in Asian, European and American law. The courses emphasize the development of analytical skills and comparative critical thinking and prepare students for the advanced independent research aspect of their program. Through class instruction and working closely with a faculty advisor students select research topics, submit periodic writing assignments and make formal presentations, culminating in the submission of a major research paper.

Legal Analysis

International students are also required to complete the Law B550A Legal Analysis course. It provides a systematic and structured examination of the U.S. legal system and is designed to introduce students to the methods and materials for legal analysis, research and writing on U.S. law.

Approved elective courses

Students are required to take at least three approved elective courses. The selection of courses in this category varies from year to year depending on course availability. Here is a list of typical courses offered as approved electives::

• A561 Law and Economics
• A576 International Criminal Law
• A578 International Business Transactions
• B516 International Contracting
• B523 Negotiation
• B540 Japanese Law
• B541 Chinese Law
• B542 ComparativeKorean Law
• B546 Comparative Corporate Governance
• B556 Islamic Law
• B559 Comparative law: Europe, Latin America, East Asia
• B591 Law and Society in Asia
• B596 International Protection of Human Rights
• E509 Introduction to European Union Law
• E526 Law Reform in Transitional Economies
• E545 International Trade Law
• E560 Contemporary Muslim Legal Systems Seminar
• E579 International and Forgeing Law Research
• P539 Law, Technology and Development

For detailed course descriptions please see the Course Catalog. In case of scheduling difficulties or other special circumstances, other courses may be substituted with the permission of the Program Coordinator.

Other Law School Courses

For the remaining credits, students are free to choose their own courses. Most second and third yearJ.D. program courses are open to LL.M. students. Exceptions are those courses taught in small groups and/or those subject to capped enrolment, such as some clinical course offerings.