Course Title:
|
Course Materials:
|
Business Law Today, 8th ed.
copyright: 2008
authors: Roger Miller & Gaylord Jentz
publisher: Thomson Learning
ISBN: 0324654553
Students have the option of purchasing the e-version of the textbook. To do so, they should contact the distributors by email: clsuk.directsales@cengage.com or phone: +44-1264-342932. Upon payment by credit card, they will receive an access code for the following site:
http://ecomtools.cengage.com/olr/register.do?template=http://olr.thomsonlearning.com/ichaptersOLRtemplate.htm
As book refunds will not be possible once the course has started, students should decide beforehand which format they wish to purchase.
Note: In searching for e-chapters on the above site, students must enter the main hard-copy ISBN: 0324654553 (not the e-book ISBN). | |
Course Description:
| (Strongly recommended for students seeking careers as CPAs, lawyers, or managers. Fulfills the civic responsibility requirement.) A conceptual and functional analysis and application of legal principles relevant to the conduct and understanding of commercial business transactions. Topics include the legal, ethical, and social environment of business; agencies, partnerships, and other forms of business organizations; and contracts and sales agreements. Prerequisite BMGT380. | |
Course Goals/Objectives:
After completing this course, you should be able to:
* Define relevant legal concepts and explain their applications to both commercial and international business transactions.
* Discuss the legal process and analyze the regulatory, ethical, tortious and criminal aspects of traditional business and e-commerce.
* Describe the various forms of business organizations and analyze the elements of valid contracts including traditional, e-commerce, sales, lease agreements, and remedies for breach.
* Apply critical thinking, analytic, communication and team building skills through group assignments, case analysis, problem solving, research, presentations and discussions.
* Develop applicable skills and knowledge in the relevant cross curricular initiatives including effective writing, information literacy, globalization, computerization, historical perspective, and civic responsibility. | |
Course Introduction:
This course is designed to enhance your knowledge and understanding of various legal concepts and principles impacting business. It introduces you to a broad array of information and develops relevant skills encompassing the regulatory, organizational, and contractual aspects of business by incorporating unique instructional methodologies that combine theory with real life case examples of practical application and significance.
BMGT 380: Business Law I consists of the following topic areas:
Topic Area 1: Legal Environment of Business
Topic Area 2: Contracts
Topic Area 3: Sales and Lease Agreements
Topic Area 4: Business Organizations | |
Grading Information and Criteria:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F below 60%
Midterm Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 30%
Written Assignments: 25%
*Other: 15%
Total: 100%
*Includes participation, assignments such as case analyses, current events, problem solving answers, quizzes and projects. | |
Other Information:
Written Assignments:
* Students are required to do either (A) a research paper or (B) a critique of a substantive law journal article applicable to business at the discretion of the instructor. In either case, you should use the Index to Legal Periodicals or its equivalent as the major source for finding the necessary information.
* In addition to the above, students may be required to submit selected written case briefs and analyses, solutions to assigned problems, and chapter outlines for designated modules as determined by the instructor.
* All written assignments must conform to the appropriate elements of documentation and style found in the Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian or other equivalent manuals of style.
Student Requirements:
Participation: By registering for this course, you have made a commitment to participate regularly and constructively in course assignments and activities as warranted by the instructional medium. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally and adhere to the general rules of academic etiquette, decency, integrity and respect, subject to the expectations of the relevant learning modality and university policy. You may wish to note that participation counts towards your final grade, which will be determined by the quality, analytic depth, timeliness and responsiveness to all assignments, activities and discussions.
Preparation: Read and study the assigned text and other related materials ahead of time. Prepare critical questions and answers on reading assignments for class discussion.
Assignments: Submit assignments on time. Points will be deducted for late submission unless otherwise indicated. You are responsible for keeping copies of all your work, including graded examinations and assignments, and you must be able to produce them if needed.
Cooperation: Cooperate with your group members and work as a team on assigned projects. Also, cooperate to enhance the learning environment by providing constructive feedback on problems raised in class.
Research: Conduct research in a timely and professional manner in accordance with the defined expectations.
Examinations: Examinations may include multiple choice and essay questions which are based on a given set of facts containing issues that the students will have to identify and resolve based on the following criteria:
o Demonstrated ability to identify issues and provide succinct analysis and resolution of the problem.
o Your answer should include the following elements based on the given facts: a) issue identification, b) answer c) general rule, d) rationale incorporating relevant case analysis and facts, and e) result.
o Logical coherence of your answer and integration of the requisite elements as noted above. Grammatically accurate responses and construction.
* Scheduled examinations: Take all examinations on the scheduled date and in accordance with stated requirements, policies or procedures.
* Make-up examinations: There will be no make-up exams except in cases of unavoidable circumstances which must be verified, and comply with university policy.
* Incomplete: No Incomplete(s) will be given except in cases of bona fide emergencies and with completion of a substantial amount of the course requirements as demonstrated by regular and satisfactory class performance and in accordance with university policy. | |
Project Descriptions:
Written and other assignments will be evaluated according to the following standards:
Term Paper:
* A well-defined thesis including the purpose, assumption, or hypothesis of your research.
* Differentiation of your paper/project from any current research.
* Logical integration of information to support or disprove your thesis.
* Organizational consistency, orderly flow, relevancy, and effectiveness of sequential ideas and paragraphs to your central theme. Grammatically correct construction and correct spelling and punctuation.
* Timeliness and scope of research. Submit, on the due date, a thoroughly researched term paper with a minimum of ten pages, unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. Your topic must deal with a current aspect of the course, and an initial outline of your research must be submitted to your instructor for his or her prior approval. Your submission should include the following:
o topic of your choice
o thesis statement
o sample outline and bibliography of references, including articles from law journals obtained through the Index to Legal Periodicals, LEXIS/NEXIS, the Internet, and other methodologies for accessing information
* The caliber, quality, and depth of research will be judged in part according to the nature of the subject matter and the bibliographic documentation including, particularly, the use of articles from the Index to Legal Periodicals or its equivalent.
* The paper should conform to the standards of formatting and documentation, including proper citations and references found in the Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian or other equivalent manuals of style. The final paper must:
o be typed, double spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial fonts with margins no wider than one inch
o have footnotes or endnotes with correct citations
o have a bibliography of sources used
o include, for each entry, the author, title, city and state of publisher, publisher's name, year, and page numbers
Briefs:
Briefing of cases and Socratic analyses are standard methodologies used in the instructional approach for law courses. You will be required to brief assigned cases on a regular basis. The definition, format, and elements of a brief are explained below.
Definition of a Brief:
A brief is a succinct and well-organized condensation of essential case information. In briefing a case, organize the relevant information according to the following format:
Facts: In no more than a paragraph, explain what has happened. Write it as though you were telling a story to someone who has not read what the case is about. If the case is on appeal, include the ruling of the lower courts.
Issue: The issue is the main question the court must decide. It is normally stated in question form. Write the issue as though you were the judge, and you were telling someone what question you must decide in order to resolve a certain problem; specify the issue that the highest court must resolve. The case citation will tell you which court or body is deciding the case.
Holding: The holding is what the court has decided in response to the issue. It is simply a matter of writing the word yes or no followed by a few words of explanation if you wish.
Rationale: The rationale is the reason for the court's decision. You should be concerned with the decision of the highest court. You may be asked to provide and analysis of the case stating why you agree or disagree with the court's decision. The concurring or dissenting opinion, if there is one, will help you to analyze the case.
Rule of Law: The rule of law is what the case stands for if it is to be used as a precedent or rule in future cases. It can be stated in one sentence or so.
Format Requirements:
Your brief should adhere to the following:
* Write no more than one page single spaced.
* Put your name in the upper right-hand corner.
* Cite the case at the top center of the page. Example of a correct citation: Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228 (1989). The "490" refers to the volume which, in this case, is the United States Reports. "228" refers to the page where the case begins, and "1989" refers to the year.
* Points will be deducted, or you might be asked to resubmit for grammatical errors or faulty construction.
Article Critique:
The following guidelines should form the basis of your critique:
* Demonstrated ability to think and express one's self critically.
* Identification and synopsis of key points in the article expressed in a succinct and substantive manner.
* Integration of your criticisms referencing the author or article in context and explaining your analytic views from a pros and cons perspective, identifying salient strengths and weaknesses.
* The sequential organization, synthesis, analysis of the information and the coherent and persuasiveness of your argument.
* The ability to raise critical questions and provide rational and well thought out alternative points of views. | |
Academic Policies:
Cases of plagiarism are handled consistent with current UMUC guidelines.
See the UMUC policies at the following URL:
http://www.umuc.edu/policy/ | |
Course Schedule:
|
Note: The Course Schedule comprises chapter assignments for the duration of the semester/term. Other assignments, including case briefings, problems, exercises, etc. will be assigned during the course. This schedule is only a guide, and may vary at times, depending on the circumstances.
Session 1
The Legal Environment of Business
Legal, Business & E-Commerce
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Chapter Readings: Chapters 1 & 7
Session 2
Dispute Resolution
Chapter Readings: Chapter 3
Session 3
Government Regulation: Constitutional Law and Administrative Law
International Law
Chapter Readings: Chapter 2
Session 4
Torts, Negligence & Strict Liability
Business and Online Crimes
Chapter Readings: Chapters 4 & 6
Session 5
Contracts
Nature and Classification
Agreement
Consideration
Chapter Readings: Chapters 8 & 9
Session 6
Capacity and Legality
Defenses to Contract Enforceability
Chapter Readings: Chapters 10 & 11
Session 7
Third Party Rights & Discharge of Contracts
Breach and Remedies
Chapter Readings: Chapters 12 & 13
Session 8
Midterm Exam
Session 9
Sales and Lease Contracts
Formation of Sales and Lease Contracts
E-Contracts
Title and Risk of Loss
Chapter Readings: Chapters 14, 15, & 17
Session 10
Performance and Breach of Sales and Lease Contracts
Chapter Readings: Chapter 16
Session 11
Warranties and Product Liability
Chapter Readings: Chapter 18
Session 12
Business Organizations
Agency Formation and Termination
Liability of Principals and Agents
Chapter Readings: Chapter 24
Session 13
Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships
Chapter Readings: Chapter 25
Research Paper Due
Session 14
Corporate Formation and Financing
Corporate Directors, Officers, and Shareholders
Corporate Merger, Consolidation, and Termination
Chapter Readings: Chapters 26, 27, & 28
Session 15
Limited Liability Companies and Partnerships
Special Business Forms and Private Franchises
Chapter Readings: Chapters 30 & 31
Review: Final Exam
Session 16
Final Exam | |
Search
MyUMUC
WebTycho