The Law of the Ocean Applies to All: Maritime Class Combines TAMU Law with Galveston Campus Business, Liberal Studies Students    

What do you get when you combine maritime business, liberal studies, and law into one class? A course, the students said, that was unlike any they had ever taken.

The exciting, collaborative new “Global Lawyering Course - International Maritime Industry, Global Governance, and World Trade” is offered through Texas A&M University at Galveston’s Department of Maritime Business Administration (MBA), Department of Liberal Studies (LIST) and the Texas A&M University School of Law based in Fort Worth.

The interdisciplinary course gives legal context to the global nature of the maritime industry. From environmental law issues concerning ballast water, working with port authorities around the world, and laws regarding vessels and safety, students learn about a multitude of maritime law applications. 

“This course offers a unique opportunity for students to study and interact with Aggies from different majors and campuses with a common desire to understand more about the interplays of maritime law, business, and policy,” said MBA Assistant Professor Dr. Cassia Galvao.

The first iteration of the class ended with the spring 2022 semester. The teaching format involved a combination of lectures, both in person and online, site visits to maritime business and law firms in the Houston area, as well as speaking engagements with industry experts.

Galvao and her respective academic counterparts envisioned such a learning experience, one that would enrich and enhance the classroom experience. On top of the varied class format, the professors facilitated campus visits and added networking opportunities for students to connect both digitally and in person.

“I was very impressed with the students' level of engagement and considerable debate skills,” Galvao added.
TAMU Law Global Program Director and Professor Dr. Charlotte Ku said visiting the Galveston Campus was a boon for the Aggie law students based in Cowtown.

“It was wonderful being introduced to Texas A&M’s beautiful Galveston campus and first-rate maritime administration program. The business, liberal studies, and law students were a joy to teach as they worked through issues involving the intersection of international and national law and policy governing the oceans,” said Dr. Ku.

TAMU Law student Marissa Maxim ‘23 said the visit let her truly see how Aggie by the Sea students’ studies revolve around the ocean and was a considerable value add to the course.

“Before taking this course, I didn’t know there was an entire field of law devoted to the maritime industry,” she explained.

“I discovered I’m interested in practicing in this area and made new friends with students in different parts of the Texas A&M University System. I would take this class again if I could. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in public policy, international, business, or environmental law, or to anyone who loves the ocean!”

Maritime Master of Business Administration & Logistics student Nathan Tovar ‘23 said the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of the course was something he wished he had experienced during his undergraduate years, as well.

“Being able to collaborate with others who are just as passionate about law and policy as I am about business was really rewarding. As students, we often become increasingly insulated the more we delve into our respective majors. And while this is a good thing, since we become experts in our fields, it can also create an echo chamber, since we tend to see the same people in all of our upper-level classes.”