First-Day Assignments

There are two parts to the first-class assignment: 

1. Introduction – Textbook pp. 1-6, 57-59

2. Choose any federal agency that is of interest to you. Find a recent news article (within the past year) describing an agency rulemaking or enforcement initiative by that agency. Be as specific as you can and be prepared to discuss it in class.

First week:

Pick up and review carefully the hard copy of the ILAL syllabus (on tables in Law School lobby by student hanging files).

Summer Reading in Advance:
Please be sure to have read all of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and Measure for Measure

Required Reading Assignments:
(1) 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Articles 31-32 (4 pages)

(2) Clark, Katharine & Matthew Connolly, A Guide to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying Statutes, The Writing Center, Georgetown University Law Center (April 2006-March 2018) (13-21 pages)

(3) GATT Article XX(a) (1 page)

(4) Mike Krings, KU Law Professor Examines the Rule of Law Through the Bard’s “Measure for Measure,” KU News, 4 August 2026, https://news.ku.edu/news/article/ku-law-professor-examines-the-rule-of-law-through-the-bards-measure-for-measure

(5) William Roberts, The Loss of Trust in America, IBA Global Insight (International Bar Association), 27 July 2026, www.ibanet.org/The-loss-of-trust-in-America

(6) Please watch:

• Featured Scholar, Big Idea Series on “East to Midwest: Asian American Perspectives in Kansas.” Essay and online presentation on From International Trade to Shakespeare’s Stage:  Asian American Angles on Law and Literature.

• Big Idea with Prof. Raj Bhala, “From International Trade to Shakespeare’s Stage,”
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78v7-y8M47Q

Optional Reading Assignments:
(1) Posner, Preface, pages xi-xvi; and Critical Introduction; pages 1-17

(2) Cross, Chapter 1 (Historical), pages 9-19; Chapter 2 (Jurisprudential), pages 20-45; Chapter 3 (The Basic Rules States), pages 46-67; Chapter 4 (The Basic Rules Illustrated), pages 68-111

First two weeks:
Pick up and review carefully the hard copy of the ITL syllabus (on tables in Law School lobby by student hanging files).

Required Reading:
International Trade Law: A Comprehensive E-Textbook, Volume One: Front Material (including Preface and Introduction),
Chapters 1-17 (skim Chapters 7-8, 16-17)

Mike Krings, KU Law Professor Examines the Rule of Law Through the Bard’s “Measure for Measure,” KU News, 4 August 2026, https://news.ku.edu/news/article/ku-law-professor-examines-the-rule-of-law-through-the-bards-measure-for-measure

William Roberts, The Loss of Trust in America, IBA Global Insight (International Bar Association), 27 July 2026,
www.ibanet.org/The-loss-of-trust-in-America

Watch YouTube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY2XVBlZ_nE

Optional Reading Assignment:
Modern GATT Law: Preface and Introduction, Volume II: Chapters 56-57

Optional Video Assignment:
Video Introduction to Eight-Volume Set:
https://mediahub.ku.edu/media/t/1_vxc7rt6s

Volume One Video Introduction:
https://mediahub.ku.edu/media/t/1_yq8za0g0

Read Chapter 1 of Mauet textbook prior to class.