030353 VO Introduction to U.S. Corporate Law - Effects on European Corporate Law (2015S)

Students will explore the key doctrines underlying U.S. corporate law and their influence on certain European, in particular Austria's and Germany's, jurisdictions. In addition to examining specific doctrines, we will look at concepts from general corporate theory, often with a legal policy perspective. The teaching method will be mostly socratic, giving students the opportunity to reflect on and actively discuss relevant reading assignments and materials presented in class. Readings include U.S., German and Austrian case law, law review articles and excerpts from Reinier Kraakman, John Armour, Paul Davies, and Luca Enriques, The Anatomy of Corporate Law: A Comparative and Functional Approach (2009). Students will be evaluated on the basis of a short writing assignment at the end of the semester.