Upcoming program dates: July 5-30, 2010
More information will be posted soon.
This summer, get a front-row seat for the study of international human rights law through the Summer Institute for International Law, with classes in both The Hague, Netherlands, and Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Hague, Netherlands
The opportunity to study in The Hague, Netherlands, is an invaluable experience for any student interested in international law, in all its forms. The Hague is recognized globally as a center for international institutions and tribunals. The Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice ("the World Court"), and the Iran-US Claims Tribunal are all housed at The Hague. It is one of two capitals of the Netherlands. During the program, students will live and study at the Institute of Social Studies. Classrooms feature multimedia technology, and modern computer labs are provided for student access to the Internet and e-mail.
Lausanne, Switzerland
More information will be posted soon.
Academic Program
The Hague/Lausanne program contains four separate one-credit hour courses. Classes will usually meet during the mornings, Monday-Thursday, leaving afternoons and three-day weekends free for travel and other activities. All course instructions will be in English.
The Hague/Lausanne program includes the following modules:
- International Humanitarian Law on the Battlefield
- International Criminal Law
- Torture and International Human Rights
- The Multinational Corporation and Human Rights
For a more complete description of the classes offered this summer, please see Courses.
Classrooms
Classes will be held at the Institute for Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, Netherlands, and also in Lausanne, Switzerland. The administrative office of the resident director for each program is located nearby the classroom at each site.
Field Trips
The program includes a visit to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, as well as other legal and political institutions. It will also include opportunities to meet judges and public officials.
Program Fees and Expenses
Budget will be posted soon.
Financial Assistance
Stetson will process forms for loans or other benefits to which a Stetson participant may be entitled. Non-Stetson participants must contact their home institution regarding loans and financial assistance programs.
Stetson provides limited scholarships to Stetson students, but no other direct financial assistance for program participants is available. Scholarships may be applied for by filling out the application and returning it to the Stetson International Programs Office.
Deposit and Tuition Policy
A participant’s application requires an accompanying deposit of $200 for tuition and $100 for housing; these amounts are applied to a participant’s tuition and housing costs, respectively. Once an applicant has been accepted, all deposits are nonrefundable.
Students are obligated to pay tuition by May 26, 2009. Any attempt to withdraw from the program after that date will not discharge the student's obligation for payment of the tuition.
Cancellation Policy
Stetson reserves the right to cancel the program before May 1, 2009, for lack of adequate enrollment, or any other reason, with full refund given to the students within twenty (20 days). Stetson will also offer to place students in a similar program in the event of cancellation of the program. Stetson also reserves the right to cancel or shorten the program at any time should extraordinary circumstances arise such as a natural disaster, political emergency or force majeure. In such event, participants will receive a refund for the proportion of credit tuition and accommodations not yet utilized.
Academic Policies
The usual academic requirements for Stetson University College of Law will apply to the program. A final examination will be administered at the conclusion of the course. Stetson uses a 4.0 grading system. Grades transferred to any co-sponsoring institution will be entered according to its own grading system. Course instruction will be in English.
The acceptance of any grade or credits earned in this program is subject to determination by the participant's home school. Each participant carries individual responsibility for determining the transferability of grades and credits earned in this program.
It is unlikely that participation in foreign summer programs may be used to accelerate graduation. Inquiries should be made by the applicant to his/her home institution in advance of application.
Eligibility
The program is open to law students, lawyers, and business professionals interested in studying in the Netherlands and Switzerland. Law students and lawyers should have an active interest in international business law and/or public international law to make the most of this exciting academic experience. Enrollment will be limited to forty (40) students, and it is estimated that forty (40) students will enroll.
Foreign Law Students are Welcome to Participate
Law students from foreign law schools are also eligible and invited to enroll in the program. Historically, only a few foreign law students have registered from the program. We therefore anticipate that only a small numbers of foreign law students estimated at no more than two individuals may participate in the program. It is anticipated that these students will all be from the host country in which the program is located. In addition, it is possible that a small number of law students from Colombia estimated at no more than three individuals may participate in the program.
Applicants with Special Needs
Applicants with disabilities or other special needs should contact the International Programs Office at Stetson in advance to discuss arrangements. The Hague and Lausanne are very old cities that do not meet U.S. standards for accommodations. However, Stetson will make every effort to reasonably accommodate the special needs of applicants.
Students Participating in 2008
Nineteen (19) students participated in the program in Freiburg during the summer of 2008; twenty (20) students participated in The Hague/Lausanne program.
Passports and Visas
Passports are required for travel to countries outside the United States and are the responsibility of each participant. Information and forms are available at your local U.S. courthouse or at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport. Visas are not required of U.S. citizens traveling to the Netherlands or Switzerland.
Travel
Please arrange your travels so that you arrive by or on Sunday, July 5, 2009. Participants must make their own travel arrangements. Many airlines offer discounted airfares if bookings are made well in advance of departure.
Important exam information: The exam will be given on FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009, via e-mail access. The last day of classes is Thursday, July 30, 2009. Please make sure that your travel schedule does not conflict with the final examination. No arrangements will be made for exams to be taken prior to the scheduled exam date and time because of travel conflicts.
Different Cultures and Habits
The cultures and habits of the host countries may differ significantly from those in the United States. A good example of these differences is evidenced by differing attitudes towards smoking. While many restrictions on smoking in hotels, restaurants and public places exist in the United States, few such restrictions exist in many of our host countries. Stetson University College of Law is not able to require American-style restrictions on smoking in the facilities it uses in its summer abroad programs.
Liability and Insurance
Neither Stetson nor its co-sponsors will be responsible for personal injury, illness, or loss or damage to personal property, in the program. Participants must obtain health insurance to provide medical coverage for travel outside the U.S. For more information, please see Health Insurance page. As always, participants should be cautious and assume responsibility for their personal safety while traveling outside the United States.
Sponsors
The program is sponsored by Stetson University College of Law, Oklahoma City University School of Law, Mercer University School of Law, and Charleston Law School. More information will be posted soon.
Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
It is the policy of Stetson University College of Law not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, age, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, employment or other school- administered programs. The policy is enforced by Stetson and/or federal laws such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Inquiries regarding compliance with these statutes may be directed to the Stetson University College of Law, Attn: Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs and Human Resources, 1401 61ST Street South, Gulfport, FL 33707, 727/562-7800, or to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100, 1-800-421-3481. The College of Law is an equal opportunity educational institution.