This module aims to stimulate the academic and practical interest of students in a challenging and increasingly important area of law. Legal and policy debates concerning the relationships between multinational corporations, governments and the society have significant and cross-cutting implications for the functioning of the global economy and society, thus warranting a solid understanding of key issues underpinning such debates. The module aims to encourage and develop analytical thinking by situating the corporation in a complex network of international and national laws governing a range of issues, from taxation to the protection of the environment and human rights. The module seeks to cultivate a range of fundamental legal and transferable skills by focusing on a highly topical area of law and policy and enabling students to appreciate the wider societal implications of the law governing multinational corporations.

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principal institutional and normative features of the law governing multinational corporations in international and national settings

(LO2) Students will be able to appreciate the key moments in the evolution of international and national legal frameworks governing multinational corporations

(LO3) Students will be able to critically appraise the law governing multinational corporations from the perspective of different groups of states, business interests and other interest groups, including environmental and human rights NGOs

(LO4) Students will be able to use and understand complex legal texts, case law, and academic writing to identify solutions for legal and policy issues arising in determining the scope multinational corporations’ accountability

(S1) Problem solving, to be developed at all stages of the module teaching, including assessment

(S2) Written communication, to be developed through formative and summative assessment

(S3) Group working, to be developed through seminars

(S4) Oral communication and presentation skills, to be developed at all stages of the module and in the course of seminars

The module will cover the following topics:
-Introduction: the rise of multinational enterprises and the early legal debates
-MNCs and the environment
-MNCs and human rights
-MNCs and conflict
-MNCs and the world-making
-New breed of MNCs
-Towards greater accountability of MNCs: contemporary reforms

Learning materials will be provided via a Reading List outlining key, recommended and supplementary materials. Students will be directed to use traditional legal texts as well as reports, videos and current affairs items. Further guidance, including the links to online resources, will be provided via Canvas, itemised for each topic to be covered in the module. In addition to using the resources designated in the Reading List, students will be directed to carry out independent research into primary and secondary sources ahead of each seminar.

Teaching Method 1: Lectures

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 14 hours (7 x 2 hour lectures)

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 0

Description: lectures will provide a detailed explanation of key legal issues and caselaw

Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2: Seminars

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 6 hours (3 x 2 hour seminars)

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 0

Description: small group teaching, focusing on the application of the law in various scenarios and critically evaluating existing problems

Attendance Recorded: Yes

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 130 hours

Description: preparation for lectures, seminars, and assessment