Academic Calendar
The Program in International and Comparative Business Law will begin on September 4, 2013 with a three-day intensive Orientation Program that is mandatory for all exchange students. During Orientation, we will take care of numerous administrative issues, such as visa applications, academic advising and introducing you to life in Hamburg and at Bucerius Law School. In addition, you will have time to get to know your fellow classmates and to begin exploring your new home through some organized excursions.
The academic program at Bucerius is divided into two sessions. Session I law courses and German language courses start on September 9, 2013 and last for six weeks. The session is followed by a one-week exam period and one-week study break. The break is from October 26 – November 3, 2013, during which time you are welcome to join us on an optional study trip to Berlin and Potsdam, travel throughout Germany or Europe on your own or just relax in Hamburg. The second course session runs from November 4 – December 13, 2013 and is followed by a second exam week. The program ends with a Farewell Ceremony on December 20, 2013.
Courses & Faculty
All law courses are selected exclusively for the program and are taught in English. Course descriptions and professor biographies are available below.
Exchange Program 2013, Tentative Course List (pdf)
Courses are taught by experienced Bucerius and international professors, as well as by legal practitioners. (For more information, see "Faculty/International Program"...).
The instruction style during the Exchange Program is what is referred to in the US as the "Socratic Method," meaning lessons are based on active student participation and not simply on formal lecturing. This interactive teaching style enables students and lecturers from around the world to explore issues in international and comparative law from different legal and cultural perspectives.
Should your level of German allow, you may sit in on some of the courses offered in the German LL.B. program.
Schedule
Classes take place five days a week, usually between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. and do not meet parallel.
Some courses are offered for the duration of the two sessions or term, whereas others are offered as compact three or four-week courses. Most of the courses are taught by visiting professors coming to Bucerius for a limited period of time, which is why we cannot guarantee a regular course schedule. However, we keep some Fridays free, meaning you will still have plenty of time to travel in Germany and throughout Europe.
A detailed course schedule will be available in July before the course registration starts.
Credits
The course credit system is based on the guidelines of the ABA, but European students can earn ECTS points.
Most courses are worth 2 American Bar Association (ABA) / 4 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits. The minimum course load is 4 ABA / 8 ECTS credits per session, for a total of 8 ABA / 16 ECTS credits for the semester, plus the German Law Survey course. The German Law Survey course is the only mandatory course; although credits can be earned with it, they do not count towards the minimum requirement of 8 ABA / 16 ECTS credits mentioned above.
You may enroll in as many courses as you please, but should consult your home school regarding its credit transfer policy. It is at their discretion to decide which credits and/or grades from the Exchange Program they will recognize.
Courses are generally evaluated based on your performance in final projects, presentations and/or exams. Regular attendance and active participation in all courses is required.
