Chinese Law Summer Program Details

Due to COVID related issues in China, the 2022 Chinese Law Summer Program will not be offered. We hope to resume the program in Summer 2023.

Prof. Lloyd Wilson, Director

Please see the link to the photo album of program activities:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/indylaw/sets/72157674885906595

Please see links below for videos about the program:

• https://vimeo.com/319473558
• https://vimeo.com/238911333
• https://vimeo.com/238911260

Program Overview

The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law offers a 4 week/5 credit or 2 week/2 credit summer study program in Beijing, China. The Program provides an overview of the Chinese legal system and focuses on the evolution of Chinese domestic law within the country's socialist market economy. The Program also provides insight into areas of law of contemporary importance, such as labor law and environmental law. The Program is hosted by Renmin University of China Law School, generally recognized as China's premier law school. Classes are taught in English by Chinese faculty who are experts in their fields.

Classes meet in the mornings, which leaves the afternoons and weekends free for study or exploring the city. In addition to classroom instruction, students will visit several government offices and agencies, such as the Supreme People’s Court or the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, a Basic People's Court, an international arbitration agency, and a major Chinese law firm. The Program also includes trips to major cultural attractions in and around Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. Transportation to field trip sites and cost of admission are included in the Program Fee.

Eligibility

Any interested graduate level law student is invited to apply, including students in J.D., LL.M., or M.J. programs. Graduate students in areas other than law, and community participants, such as government officials, business leaders, and teachers in other disciplines, are also welcome. Interested students enrolled in five-year LL.B/LL.M. programs at law schools outside the U.S. and who are in their fourth or fifth year of study should contact the Program Director or Coordinator.

Indiana University - A Tradition of Summer Law Study in China

The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law pioneered summer law study programs in China. In 1987 the Law School launched a summer program in Shanghai, which operated annually for ten years. In 1998 the Law School began its current summer program in Beijing - China's capital and its political and cultural center. The host institution is Renmin University of China Law School. The Chinese Law Summer Program is the premier course of study in Beijing that focuses on the legal aspects of China's socialist market economy, opportunities for trade and investment, and the development of the rule of law in China. U.S. law schools formally affiliated with the program are Boston College Law School, University of Oklahoma College of Law, University of Tennessee College of Law, the University of Bergen Faculty of Law in Bergen, Norway, and Autonomous University of Barcelona Faculty of Law in Barcelona, Spain.  Students come to the Program from all across the U.S.  Since the Program’s inception, participants have come from over 100 American law schools.  In just the past few years, students have also come from law schools in multiple foreign countries in South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Renmin University of China

Renmin University of China

Renmin University of China was established in 1950, the year following the founding of the People's Republic of China, making it the first university in the New China. Its tree-lined campus is located in the university sector of Beijing. Approximately 1,000 students are enrolled in Renmin University of China's law school, which confers both undergraduate and graduate law degrees and which has established academic exchange and other cooperative programs with more than 50 law schools in over 20 countries. The law school (pictured at right) is a modern, air-conditioned and technologically equipped facility.

Curriculum and Field Trips

Summer 2020 Study Abroad Students

In addition to its focus on the legal aspects of China's socialist market economy, the curriculum introduces students to China's legal system, dispute resolution mechanisms, and lawyering system. To convey the formal structure of China's political system, the course of study also includes instruction on China's constitutional law.

In 2020, the curriculum is expected to include the following subjects:

• Overview of the Chinese Legal System
• Lawyering System of China and Criminal Procedure Law of China
• Constitutional Law of China
• Intellectual Property Law of China
• Environmental Law of China
• Foreign Investment and Joint Ventures in China
• Labor Law in China
• Company Law of China
• Contract Law of China
• Arbitrating Disputes with Chinese Entities

In addition to classroom lectures and discussions, each student’s learning experience is enriched through a series of field trips to such destinations as:

• Supreme People's Court or Supreme People's Procuratorate
• A Basic People's Court
• Ministry of Commerce
• Chinese International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission or Beijing Arbitration Commission
• A Prominent Chinese Law Firm

Instruction is in English and the course is graded. Most lectures are delivered on weekday mornings. Law-related field trips occur on one or two weekday afternoons per week. Cultural field trips occur on Saturdays. A final examination is administered and evaluated by the Indiana University Resident Professor at the end of the Program. Evaluation of student performance and the awarding of academic credit are the responsibility of Indiana University.  Course topics, sequence of courses, and field trip destinations are subject to final determination by Renmin University of China.

Cultural Activities

The Forbidden (Imperial) City

The program includes memorable cultural excursions. Students will travel beyond Beijing for a day trip to the Great Wall of China. In Beijing students will visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the site of the Heroes Memorial and the Mao Zedong Mausoleum. Tiananmen Square is flanked on the east by the National Museum of History and on the west by the Great Hall of the People. To the north of the Square stands the main gate to the sprawling Forbidden (Imperial) City, where students will tour the classical buildings that were home to a succession of emperors. The cultural itinerary also includes the impressive grounds of the emperors' Summer Palace.

Students will have ample time during afternoons, evenings and weekends to explore Beijing, walk its streets, shop in its small markets and modern stores, and experience its active night life. Students may choose to travel to other cities in China or to other countries in the region.  Beijing’s modern subway system and the world-class Beijing South Railway Station make it easy to connect with other parts of China via high-speed trains.

Academic and CLE Credit

This program is fully accredited by the American Bar Association. Students can earn either two or five credit hours for successfully completing the program. Students should consult with their home law school about transferability of credits. CLE credits are subject to approval by regulators in each attorney's home state. LL.M. and M.J. students should contact the Program Director for further information about possible credit hour caps.

Accommodations and Meals

Fried Starfish... yum

Accommodation is included in the Program Fee, explained below. Housing is provided at the Ariva West Hotel, which is located a short walk from the Renmin University of China Law School. Each of the air conditioned rooms has a private bathroom and shower, a television, and a telephone. The rooms also have internet access.

Restaurants, a post office, convenience stores, athletic fields, basketball courts, and other amenities are located within the campus gates. There are also a large number of restaurants and shops around the Renmin University of China campus. Students can take meals at campus restaurants or sample local cuisine at neighborhood restaurants, which offer a wide variety of dishes in every price range. Additionally, western "fast food" restaurants can be found within easy walking distance of the university.

Program Fees/Cost

Climbing the Great Wall

Program fees for 2020 are $4,150.00 for the four-week program or $2,075.00 for the two-week program (plus any tuition charged by the student’s home school, airfare, visa, and personal expenses - see the link below to "Financial Aid Budget" for additional information about costs).

The Program Fee includes classroom instruction by Renmin University of China faculty, textbooks, health insurance, housing (double occupancy), field trips, and scheduled cultural activities.

Students are responsible for transportation to Beijing and for the cost of a visa. Single occupancy for housing is very limited and may not be available. Tuition costs, if any, are determined by your academic institution.

Meals

Breakfast is included in the Program Fee. Other meals are not included. Meals at local restaurants can be purchased for a few dollars per meal. The cost of meals obviously varies from student to student, depending on preferences.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Travel expenses outside organized events and miscellaneous expenses (such as laundry, cell phone fees, gifts, and entertainment) are not included in the Program Fee.

Financial Aid

Students may choose to finance all or part of their expenses with student loans obtained through the financial aid offices of their home schools. Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law will provide supporting documents.

You may download an estimated Financial Aid Budget in PDF format and print it using Adobe® Reader®

Guest Travelers

Friends or family of participating students can apply to participate in program field trips to cultural sites at a rate of $25 per person/per event plus admission fees (subject to space on university busses). Hotel accommodations are available for guests at the same rate charged to participating students. The Program hotel requires two people to occupy a double occupancy room. It is not possible to share a single occupancy room. Contact the Program Coordinator for additional details.

Application Procedure

Applications are due by March 1st.

Download the application, fill in the blanks and submit by e-mail to:

Lloyd T. Wilson, Jr., Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Programs
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
530 West New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
phone: 317-274-4826
e-mail: ltwilson@iu.edu

March 1, 2020, is the application deadline. Each application must be accompanied by an unofficial law school transcript and a letter from the Registrar or similar administrator at the applicant's law school certifying that the applicant is currently in good academic standing. These requirements apply equally to applicants for the four-week program and the two-week program. The Program Coordinator will verify good standing for students who attend the IU McKinney School of Law. Non-law students should provide similar evidence of good academic standing with their school or department. Community participants should contact the Program Coordinator for further information.

Payment, Registration, and Application.

Payment Procedure: Friday, May 8, 2020, is the deadline for full payment of the Program Fee. Payment can be made by credit card or by personal check. Applicants need to complete the registration online before submitting payment. The registration can be found at this link: to be provided at a later date

Online payments may be made at the same link (above).

Checks must be made out to “Indiana University” and reference to be provided at a later date and the registrant’s name on the check stub and sent (along with a copy of the IU conferences registration confirmation which will be generated when you register) to:

Indiana University
IU Conferences
PO Box 6212
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6212

In the memo section of your check write Chinese Law Summer Program.

Due to the protocol involved in visiting high-level government offices, enrollment is limited. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Early application is advised.

Travel and Preparation

Travel and visa assistance are available from the Program Director, Professor Lloyd Wilson, ltwilson@iu.edu. However, program participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and for obtaining their own visas. The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law will provide participants with immigration documents from Renmin University of China. These documents are required for visa application.

• Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of your scheduled stay in China.
• Participants may arrive at Renmin University of China as early as May 13, 2020, and may stay at the program hotel until check-out time on June 14. (May 31 for students in the two-week program). Accommodations during this period are included in the program fee. If students choose to stay longer or past checkout they will be billed for the additional room charge. 
• Participants are encouraged to consult travel guides and/or other sources to inform themselves about life and culture in contemporary China.
• Each participant should consider consulting with a physician well in advance of departure to determine whether immunizations or medications are recommended. Some immunizations must be obtained many weeks before your departure date.

Neither Indiana University nor Renmin University of China will be responsible for personal injury, illness, or property damage or loss. Participants may wish to consider purchasing additional health insurance, insurance for lost or damaged luggage, and trip cancellation insurance.

For assistance, direct questions to:

Lloyd T. Wilson, Jr., Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Programs
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
530 West New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
phone: 317-274-4826
e-mail: ltwilson@iu.edu

Cancellation or Significant Alteration

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law may cancel or alter the program should circumstances warrant, including lack of sufficient enrollment. In the event of cancellation or significant alteration of the program, all preliminary paid fees will be refunded within 20 days, and applicants will be provided with information on other summer programs that may be of interest to the student. The director will use his best efforts to make arrangements for students to attend a similar program.

If an applicant cancels after the application has been accepted and the registration fee has been paid, no refunds of any payments will be made, except in cases of certifiable personal medical emergency or other extraordinary circumstances that make it unduly burdensome for the student to attend the program or if the U.S. State Department issues certain types of travel warnings.

News

International Forum Presentation Opportunities Available

2019 Forum Picture (click for large view)

Students participating in the 2020 Chinese Law Summer Program can apply to make a presentation at the 11th International Forum for Law Students. The purpose of the Forum is to give law students an opportunity to investigate and engage a topic relating to legal education or the legal profession. In 2019, the theme of the conference was "Legal Issues arising from Digital Platforms." Under the umbrella of this title, students made presentations on diverse topics, including: "Digital Platforms: A Tool for Reducing Disparities in Prenatal Health." and "Digital Nomads or Precariat? Digital Platform Workers and Where to Find Their Rights." The theme for the 2020 Forum will be announced soon.

Continued expansion of the Forum is expected in 2020. The 2019 Forum included law students from China, Denmark, England, Germany, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United States.

If you are interested in participating in the 2020 Forum, complete the International Forum Application and submit it to Professor Lloyd T. Wilson at ltwilson@iu.edu.

• • 2019 International Forum Brochure
  • 2018 International Forum Brochure
  • 2017 International Forum Brochure
  • 2016 International Forum Brochure
  • 2015 International Forum Brochure
  • 2014 International Forum Brochure
  • 2013 International Forum Brochure
  • 2012 International Forum Brochure
  • 2011 International Forum Brochure
  • 2010 International Forum Brochure

Snapshot of Previous Participants

Schools represented in the Chinese Summer Program since 2010:

Renmin University of China Professors

Renmin University of China Law School Professors Expected to Teach in the 2020 Chinese Law Summer Program:

Other Information

Quotes from Previous Program Participants:

“The program was a fantastic success. The information presented was timely and well prepared. The level of proficiency in English demonstrated by the professors and staff was extraordinary.”

“The program was great. Not only did I learn a great deal, but I had a lot of fun.”

“The Program exceeded my expectations.”

“I would certainly recommend the Program to others. It has been a great and certainly valuable experience.”

General Information From and About China

Business

• China Economic Net: http://en.ce.cn/
• Ministry of Commerce of PRC Invest in China

China Studies

• Indiana University East Asian Studies Center

China (News)

• China Daily.com: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn
• People's Daily Online: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

Law

• Law Info China
• China Court Organization – Sponsored by the Supreme Court of China

Travel

• Detailed Beijing Subway Map
• Detailed Shanghai Subway Map