I had an excellent time studying abroad in Mannheim, Germany. The classes were interesting, the professors were extremely helpful and accommodating and my fellow colleagues provided me with a wealth of cultural Knowledge. I strongly recommend that prospective study abroad students consider studying at the University of Mannheim.
Located in Mannheim Palace, the largest baroque palace in Germany, the University of Mannheim’s approach to business and international scholarship is particularly focused on interdisciplinary scholarship between its renowned Economics and Social Sciences including its Humanities, Law, Mathematics and Computer Science departments.
The aim of the University of Mannheim is to train its students to excel and lead in the areas of business, society and science. It places particular emphasis on social awareness and social responsibility in all areas of practice. Offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, its Master of Comparative Law is a draw to UConn Law students seeking to diversify their educational experience with international scholarship.
Our program with the University of Mannheim in Mannheim, Germany is designed to give students who are not fluent in German a chance to study Comparative Law in a German Law School.
Students choosing to study at the University of Mannheim can opt to attend the university for the full academic year or for one semester in the fall or spring. Students attending Mannheim for the fall semester only can arrange to complete all course work by the end of December, prior to returning to the U.S.
|Fall Semester||First week of September through December|
|Spring Semester||Mid February through first week of June|
|Full Year||September through first week of June|
At the University of Mannheim classes are small which allows students direct access to faculty for educational support and enhanced academic scholarship. Coursework highlights the partnership between the two schools with concentrations in international business transactions, European law, and international human rights in economic, political and comparative contexts. UConn students select four of the courses offered in English or they may elect to take one of the courses in German if they are proficient in the language. UConn students earn a total of twelve credits for a semester of work.
Introduction to German Civil Law
The Introduction to German Civil Law course is designed to give a comprehensive survey of general principles of German Civil Law. It deals with basic concepts of the General Part of the German Civil Code, the Law of Obligations (including the Law of Sale and Tort Law), Property Law, Family Law, the Law of Succession and Company Law (including the Laws applicable to Partnerships and Corporations). Students enrolled in Introduction to German Civil Law are encouraged to make reference, by way of comparison, to the law of their own country in the class.
E.U. Competition Law
The E.U. Competition Law course offers an introduction into main areas of EU competition law illustrated by practical examples which in part reflect the lecturer’s own experience as an eminent German antitrust practitioner. Core elements of EU competition law treated include the concepts of horizontal and vertical restraints of competition, the importance of market definitions and the various techniques used therefore, the role of market power for Articles 101 and 102 TFEU and the basic outlines of merger control. Students enrolled in E.U. Competition Law will be required to understand the specific economic approach to the application of competition law favored by the EU Commission. They will become familiar with original decisions by the EU Commission and the European Courts dealing with competition aspects. The course aims to allow a basic understanding of how competition law affects business decisions. The students will be required to draw comparisons between the system of EU competition law and their own national competition law. To the extent possible the students will be invited to contribute skills developed in neighboring subjects such as economics and institutional law of the European communities.
Human Rights – Problems and Process
The Human Rights – Problems and Process course will offer access to both the theory and the practice of human rights. The focus will be on global and regional human rights systems. An overview will be provided with regard to the historical and philosophical background of international human rights protection, the content and legal nature of the respective instruments – including different dimensions and generations of human rights – as well as existing implementation mechanisms. At the universal level the course will touch on the treaty-based as well as the Charter-based systems. At the regional level emphasis will be put on the European system of human rights protection as established by the Council of Europe. A comparative look will especially be taken at human rights and basic freedoms within the framework of the European Union.
After a theoretical introduction into the protection of human rights in public international law, the students will work on case studies. In this practical part, the course will, if possible, in co-operation with a practicing attorney at law, concentrate on the European Convention on Human Rights. The cases to be discussed will be real cases which are either still pending before the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg or have been decided.
International Business and Finance Transactions
The International Business and Finance Transactions course addresses students who take a particular interest in business law. It focuses on international aspects of business transactions and their legal and commercial requirements, and allows students to get an initial understanding of what legal advice in practical terms is like. In a first step several important principles of German civil law are introduced and discussed in class and compared to similar principles under foreign law like, e.g., French or English law. This may result in comparing, for example, the advantages and disadvantages of a floating charge under English law as opposed to individual security under German law, or the rules on financial assistance under the German and English regime. In a second step case studies with a cross-border background are prepared at home and talked through in class. Students are required to understand not only the importance of the relevant legal aspects but also the commercial dynamics of a transaction. As the course is in English, students have also the opportunity of familiarizing themselves with the relevant legal terms.
The city of Mannheim is located close to the French and Swiss borders, is less than 60 miles south of Frankfurt, and about 10 miles from Heidelberg. With a population of 325,000, Mannheim is the second largest city in the state of Baden-Württemberg and serves as the economic and cultural hub of the Rhine-Neckar-triangle. Its unique location in the center of Europe has allowed Mannheim to become a global player in high-profile industries such as the mechanical engineering, trade, electrical, and chemical sectors. However, as recently as 2003 a Pop Academy was established offering degree programs in pop music design and music business, creating a vibrant musical influence on the city.
People from 168 countries shape the cultural life of the city and influence its fashion, music, and art. Primarily known for its music festivals, there are also a number of well-known theaters and art museums. The region boasts 15 internationally renowned music, film, and literary festivals, offering a broad spectrum of programming.
If you’re more interested in quiet soulful activities, Mannheim won’t disappoint. Located near the Odenwald and Pfälzerwald forests, a famous wine route wends its way through the region. Luisenpark, near the city center, also offers a unique hybrid of botanical garden, zoo, and urban green space.
The University of Mannheim is housed in an historic Baroque palace built between 1720 and 1760. It’s the largest Baroque building in Europe—larger, even, than Versailles. Nearly 14% of the student body comes from abroad and the total student population is around 12,000. Approximately 1,300 are enrolled in the Faculty of Law. The Law Department is one of the larger departments at the University and it has a rich tradition of Civil Law, Criminal Law, Public, and Private Law.
Each year the International Programs department and the Office of Financial Aid work together to create an appropriate semester or year budget for the program.
Below is the budget for 2014-2015 for one semester:
|Tuition paid to host school||$0|
|Tuition paid to UConn||$12,684|
|UConn Law School Abroad Fee||$475|
|Books and Supplies||$700|
Meta Geisbüsch LL.M., International Coordinator
Universität Mannheim / University of Mannheim
Department of Law - Dean's Office
Office of International Relations
68161 Mannheim | Germany
Phone: 011-49- 621- 181-1307 | Fax: 011-49- 621-181-1318
International Student Handbook: http://www.uni-mannheim.de/io/startseite/dateien/semesterbroschuere_fss1...
Master of Comparative Law (MCL): http://mcbl.uni-mannheim.de/
International Student Services: http://www.uni-mannheim.de/io/english/incoming_exchange_students/do_you_...