Zhejiang Gongshang University

Program Objectives

This program is developed to provide students with a good understanding of legal knowledge across a broad spectrum of legal issues in a global context. In this degree, students will also learn the language and history of China. They will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and will learn the role of law as well as politics and business in contemporary China. The program is thus designed for students to sharpen their knowledge and understanding of international legal acumen and to improve their skills in cross-culture communication. This international outlook will help students to start a career without boundaries after their graduation. The program is ideal for those who would be interested in pursuing a career in an international arena, allowing graduates to work in the fields of law at both the domestic and international levels.

Program Requirements

Through this program, the students are expected to acquire as follows: 1) Comprehensive knowledge in basic legal theories; 2) A better understanding of Chinese legal system; 3) Systematic knowledge in international law, including international public law, private international law and international economic law 4) A mastery of WTO law; 5) Basic legal skills needed to practice law under Chinese legal systems; 6) A better foundation of Chinese language skills, especially in legal writing and communication. 

Main Courses

China-related courses Comprehensive Chinese I, II, III and IV, Advanced Spoken Chinese, Advanced Chinese Listening, Advanced Chinese Writing, Applied Chinese Translation, Legal Chinese Skills-based courses Legal Negotiation and Arbitration, Legal Research and Writing, Legal Reasoning, Moot Court Substantive courses Orientation to Law, Jurisprudence , Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Corporation Law, Administrative Law, Administrative Litigation Law, Public International Law, Private International Law, International Economic Law, International Commercial Arbitration, International Investment Law, International Trade Law, International Business Law, International Organizations Law, International Criminal Law, International Law of Armed Conflict, Tort Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Human Rights Law, Evidence Law, Maritime Law.

Faculty

Law was first taught at Zhejiang Gongshang University through the Zhejiang Administrative Institute of Politics and Law in 1979. Since then, the discipline has grown in significance and is now taught through a dedicated law school with expert staff. In the academic year 2016/2017, the School of Law educated 815 undergraduates and 344 postgraduates, including both Chinese students and international students. At undergraduate level, they have studied for the Bachelor of Laws (General), Bachelor of Laws (Intellectual Property Law) and Bachelor of Laws (International Law) degrees. For each of the ten years since 2007, the School of Law has been evaluated by the Ministry of Education as the top law school in Zhejiang Province. In 2017, the Network of Science and Education in China (www.nseac.com) listed the School of Law as being in the top 10% of the country’s law schools. The Ministry of Education’s 2017 evaluation ranked the School of Law as 45th in the national league. That confidence in the School of Law is reflected in the growing range of academic programs that the School of Law can now offer.

The School of Law also has an impressive external speaker series, which draws in both national and international experts. The School of Law attaches great importance to international research, partnerships and exchange programs. The School of Law has close connections with other leading Chinese law schools, and is aligned with several universities and institutions from the United States, Netherlands, Korea as well as other countries. Between 2006 and 2012, the School of Law was part of an experiential education project called “Legal Clinic and Advocacy Education”. The project was funded by USAID and led by University of the Pacific, Mc George School of Law and American University Washington College of Law. Twenty of the School of Law’s professors participated in this project and learned about the American legal experiential educational approach known as ‘Learning by Doing’, and other pedagogical methods.

Length, Credits and Degree

The length of curriculum is four years. Minimum credits for graduation: 125 credits. Qualified students will be granted Bachelor Degree of Law.

Instruction Language

■ All the courses are delivered in English except some of Chinese language courses. ■ Dissertation is required to be written in English