Latin American Law Summer Program
May 15 - June 13, 2008
Earn six hours of ABA-approved credit • CLE Credit is also available
*We are no longer accepting applications for this program (in 2008)
View powerpoint slideshow about this program: PPS | PPT | PDFProgram Overview
The program visits three Latin American countries, each with its own unique character: Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. The trip begins in La Plata, a city situated in the eastern region of Argentina about 40 miles east of Buenos Aires on the Rio Plata. La Plata is the capital of the province of Buenos Aires, which is the largest in Argentina. We will hear lectures from leading experts on the Argentine legal system, human rights, and business law. Several excursions in Argentina include trips to governmental institutions and organizations. Also included is a field trip to Buenos Aires to visit the Argentina Supreme Court and an NGO.
In the third week of the program, we cross the Rio Plata by ferry to Uruguay for study at the University of Montevideo. The program includes visits to the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI). In addition to conventional course credit, the University of Montevideo awards a certificate for attending this one week course.
For the final two weeks of the trip, we travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where we hear lectures from some of the leading experts on the Brazilian legal system, as well as business and human rights issues. Field trips to a favela and a law firm are planned.
Curriculum and Field Trips
The following courses are offered:
- Legal Systems of Latin America (2 cr.)
- Legal Aspects of Doing Business in Latin America (2 cr.)
- Human Rights in Latin America (2 cr.)
Courses will be taught by faculty from law schools in Latin America and the U.S. The program includes a field trip to Buenos Aires and field trips to legal institutions and organizations, as well as NGOs, in the visited countries.
Faculty and Program Administration
The IU faculty co-directors of the program are María Pabón López and Cynthia Matson Adams. Professor López or Professor Adams will be available on site throughout the program.
Professor Alejandro M. Garro of the Columbia University School of Law, New York. Professor Garro teaches the course on Legal Systems of Latin America. Professor Garro is a graduate of the National University of La Plata and well-known expert on Latin American Law.
In addition to Professor Lopez, Adams, and Garro, who will be in charge of the three courses, additional experts from our three host countries will give lectures in the courses. Lectures will be in English.
Credits and Schedule of Classes
Participants are not required to take all the courses, but the program fee is fixed regardless of the number of courses taken.
Classes will be taught over a five-week period, including examinations. Students are expected to arrive by noon on Thursday, May 15, 2008, for orientation. Classes will begin on May 16, 2008, and will extend through Friday, June 13, 2008.
Grading policies will be the same as in the regular course of study at the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis. Grades are given on an A through F scale. Regular class attendance and class participation are required. Grades will be determined primarily by performance on the examination, but the instructors also may take into consideration class participation.
For students of the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, no credit will be given for a failing (F) grade. Students from other schools are advised to consult with their own schools about transfer of credits earned in the program, because acceptance of transfer credit or of grades is subject to the policies of the students’ home schools. Similarly, it is in the home school’s discretion whether participation in this program, or in any summer session at any law school, may be used to accelerate graduation.
Criteria for Admission to the Program
The program is open to all interested law students who are in good standing at their school. On an individual basis, American lawyers, foreign law students or law graduates, or American or foreign applicants with graduate degrees in disciplines other than law, may be considered for admission. The program is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Program Fee
The total fee for the program is $5,990, comprised of $2,778 instruction fee and $3212 for accommodations (shared double room), local travel, health insurance, etc. The total program fee includes:
- Tuition for six semester credit hours
- Program registration fees
- Hotel accommodations in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil (double rooms)
- Ferry transportation to Montevideo, Uruguay
- Several field trips, including a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Ground transportation for scheduled field trips
Co-Curricular Activities and Field Trips
Field trips are expected to include visits to legal institutions and organizations as well as NGOs in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. The field trip to Buenos Aires includes overnight hotel accommodations. Other field trips will be day trips. All field trips are subject to availability and may be changed at a later date.
Housing
Housing will be provided for program participants in modern, simple hotels. Housing is comparable in quality to campus housing in the United States. The hotels are convenient to city and transportation services. A small number of single rooms may be available on a first-come basis for an additional cost to be determined. Otherwise, rooms are shared double rooms.
Meals and Other Expenses
Hotel accommodations usually include breakfast. Program participants will have access to a large number of restaurants walking distance of the hotels. Participants should budget at least $750 for meals and other expenses, as well as adequate pocket money for extracurricular activities.
Knowledge of Spanish
Since all academic work will be in English, participants need not know any Spanish or Portuguese.
Transportation
Program participants must arrange and pay for their own transportation from the United States to La Plata, Argentina; from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to the United States. Participants should fly into the Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires and travel by a Manuel Tienda León minibus (stand is located just outside customs) to the hotel in La Plata. Ground transportation time is about 40 minutes.
Passports and other Documents
Passports are required for entry into Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. Participants who do not have a valid passport are urged to apply for one promptly. A passport is needed before applying for a visa. Visas are not currently required for U.S. citizens for entry into Argentina or Uruguay for stays of less than 90 days. However, a visa is required to enter Brazil. Each participant should apply as soon as possible for a visa at the Brazilian Consulate in the region of his/her permanent U.S. residence in order to assure receiving the visa before departure. A passport is needed and must be submitted with the visa application. Contact the Program Coordinator to confirm the type of visa required for Brazil before making your application. Each participant is responsible for obtaining his/her own passport and all necessary visas and any health inoculations that may be required.
Applications
Applications should be filed before March 1, 2008. Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the co-directors of the program. Unless other arrangements are approved in writing by one of the co-directors of the program, a non-refundable registration fee has to be paid within seven days of acceptance of the application. The registration fee will be applied towards the total program fee. The remainder of the fee is payable on or before April 1, 2008.
Checks should be made payable to the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, and should be sent to Shari Baldwin, Latin American Law Program, Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, 530 West New York Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5194. The number of places is limited and properly completed applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. Thus, early application is strongly encouraged.
Financial Assistance
Participants may apply for student loans to cover the program fee, transportation, and cost of living expenses. Arrangements for such loans and other available financial aid should be made through the financial aid office at the participant's school. For students at the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, an information meeting for financial aid will be held in the spring of 2008.
Cancellation or Alteration
The Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter the program should circumstances warrant, including lack of sufficient enrollment. In the event of cancellation (or significant alteration), all fees and deposits will be refunded promptly, and applicants will be provided with information on other summer programs that may be of interest.
If an applicant cancels after March 1, 2008, the $250 application fee is not refundable. No refunds of any payments will be made for applicant cancellations after April 1, 2008, except in cases of certifiable personal medical emergency.
Application and Additional Information
For further information contact:
Shari Baldwin
Summer Study Abroad Law Programs Coordinator
Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis
530 West New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
e-mail: ssbaldwi@iupui.edu
