Introduction to FCPA - IIEI-317

Course Description: This six-week online course is designed to introduce students to the principles of  the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Students will study its components and jurisdiction, and the impact for U.S. exporters, importers, investors in foreign projects, and others subject to the FCPA. Emphasis will be on FCPA compliance by individuals and organizations.

Prerequisite: None

Course Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Major Course Topics & Course Outcomes

As a result of the group and individual activities included in this course, the student will acquire the following knowledge and skills that can be applied to the workplace:

Introduction to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

• Assess the political and legislative background of the FCPA.
• Establish the key elements of the construction and jurisdiction of the FCPA.      
• Analyze the key elements of FCPA as they pertain to potential business actions.

Penalties Under the FCPA

• Categorize the penalties to which the organization and individual can be subjected.
• Anticipate "Red Flags" of possible FCPA violations.
• Judge the applicability of affirmative defenses.

Advisory Opinions

• Assess the need for an advisory opinion.
• Categorize the elements of an opinion.
• Appraise and contrast two different cases under the advisory opinion procedure and their facts and principles.

International Agreements and Corrupt Practices

• Analyze the concepts of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.
• Analyze the concepts of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
• Distinguish the similarities and differences of the conventions.
• Assess extraterritoriality as it applies to business plans.

Policies and Procedures

• Assess the need for policies for FCPA compliance.
• Assess the need for procedures for FCPA compliance.
• Distinguish between policies and procedures.
• Formulate the concept of an individual being responsible without the company being responsible.

Managing the Organization for Compliance with FCPA.

• Judge the necessary balance in order to comply with FCPA and successfully manage the business enterprise.
• Justify the balance in terms of the business interest for both profit and legal compliance.
  

 

Course Texts:

There is no textbook for this course.

Reading for this course consists of the weekly lectures and reading material available on the internet via public websites at no cost to the student. The Internet material will include a copy of the FCPA statute, of the advisory opinion regulations, and of the Layperson's Guide to the FCPA.

Please note that textbooks are subject to change. Please contact your advisor before purchasing the textbook for your class to confirm.