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International Corporate Governance - LAW00002M

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  • Department: The York Law School
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This core module is designed to provide students with a theoretical framework in which to understand companies with particular focus on the governance and law of companies. It assesses the historical origins of core company law concepts such as the doctrine of separate corporate personality directors duties and directors authority and how these have shaped the company. Through the lens of corporate governance theories and theories of the company the module considers Anglo-American and West European corporate governance systems. It looks at key players in corporate governance the board of directors, shareholders, and outside investors and critically assesses their various roles, powers and identity. Throughout the module the normative question of what constitutes a progressive company in considered.

Module learning outcomes

he MLOs state that when you finish this module you should be able to:

- The capacity to interpret and assess competing viewpoints and to use those viewpoints to formulate critical arguments concerning law and regulation, insofar as they are relevant to the principles of corporate governance

- Critically assesses the various roles, powers and identity of key players in corporate governance

- Demonstrate an ability to analyse and evaluate key normative issues in corporate governance

- The ability to construct an argument, develop and apply research strategies, and communicate to an academic audience in written form

- The ability to produce (by a specified deadline) a concise and appropriately structured essay

- The ability to think independently and to use one’s initiative in developing legal ideas and research into corporate governance issues

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Feedback form.

Indicative reading

Essential Reading

R. Kraakman et al.,The Anatomy of Corporate Law (OUP, 2nd Edn. 2017)

L.Talbot, Critical Company Law (Routledge, 2015)

LE Talbot Great Debates in Company Law and Governance (Palgrave 2014)



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.