Courses for Summer 2026
Each summer, Catholic Law offers a focused set of courses designed to give students unique perspectives on European and international business law—topics not commonly taught in the U.S. classroom.
In past years, courses have included subjects such as human rights, arbitration, constitutional law, and international economic regulation.
In summer 2026, students may choose from four courses: Law of the European Union, International Investment Law, and two others, which will be announced soon).
All classes are taught in English at the historic Jagiellonian University. U.S. students must take between four and six credits. Assessment methods vary, with most courses concluding with a written exam, while some faculty may adopt take-home assignments or research papers.
Schedule of Classes
Specific course dates and titles will be provided soon.
Classroom Course Descriptions
Law of the European Union (2 credit hours) - Dr. Marta Janina Kuklo
This course provides an overview of the political and legal framework of the European Union institutions, trade relations and legal and business implications of the European process of integration. The course focuses on the creation of the European Union, the structures and processes for the development of the Union’s law, four basic freedoms or the role of the European Court of Justice.
International Investment Law (2 credit hours) - Prof. Piotr Szwedo
International Investment Law (2 credit hours) The course addresses a range of questions related to international investment law. This branch of international public law has already drawn special attention of legal scholars but also due to numerous arbitration proceedings worldwide, it became a field of intensive legal practice. Emphasis will be put on the specificity on Bilateral Investment Treaties as sources of international law and on case law which plays the role of clarification and creation of legal standards. Students will be also introduced to the specificity international responsibility resulting from international investment claims which is partly based on international customary law. Furthermore, we will also examine the definition of investment, definition of State and learn about standards of investment treatment (Most Favored Nation, national, fair and equitable standards). We will also study about direct and indirect expropriation; standards of compensation; principles of the settlement of investment disputes and about enforcement of arbitral awards. The course involves students’ active participation: discussions, debates, presentations, collective and individual feedback providing on their individual and/or group tasks; grade is based on class participation and/or final written examination.
Course materials: Provided on the course website
Books, Course Materials and Library Facilities
The list of required books will be made available to participants in the spring.
Students are responsible for purchasing their own books and course materials. Students will be notified of course materials that are prepared by the Columbus School of Law and made available at cost to participating American and Canadian students upon arrival in Kraków. European students will have access to all texts and materials used in the program.
Students will also have access to the outstanding resources of the Jagiellonian University library as well as to the specialized collection of the library of the Faculty of Law. Approximately 20 percent of the Jagiellonian’s collection of 2.8 million books and periodicals are in English. The library is open during weekday hours and a limited collection of materials suggested by the faculty will be held on reserve at a place convenient to all students.
Students will receive wi-fi access in Jagiellonian University classrooms.