Date last reviewed: Date Approved: COURSE SYLLABUS Syllabus for: Date Revised: 8/12 Former Quarter Course(s): Catalog Description: This course is a study of the legal and regulatory environment of business. Topics covered include: ethics, law, & the judicial system; contract law; property; bankruptcy; and agency & employment. Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Prerequisite(s): None Required Text(s): BUSINESS LAW with UCC Applications, Brown, Sukys 13 th /2013, McGraw Hill Irwin Required Supplies/Material(s): None Recommended Supplementary Material(s): None Student Group for Whom Course is Required/Intended: Business Technology Majors
GOALS These should be broadly stated, measurable learner outcomes expected with the completion of the course; use additional sheet(s) if necessary. 1. To expand the student's understanding and appreciation of the legal aspects associated with everyday consumer and business activities. 2. To examine case studies illustrating legal principles affecting business practices. 3. To emphasize the dynamic and evolving nature of law as it responds to changing economic, political, global, social, environmental, technological, and cultural perspectives. 4. To examine how the business decision-making process is affected by ethical considerations. 5. To examine the legal and ethic aspects of contracts as they relate to businesses. 6. To examine the implications of property law on businesses. 7. To become familiar with laws affecting the employee/employer relationship. 8. To examine the impact of the bankruptcy laws on individuals and businesses.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES These should be specifically stated, measurable learner outcomes to be met throughout the course; use additional sheet(s) if necessary. Chapter 1 1. Define law and morality. 2. Distinguish among natural law, positive law, and negative rights theory. 3. Explain ethical relativism. 4. Describe social contract theory. 5. Outline the steps in applying utilitarianism. 6. Define rational ethics. 7. Explain the dual nature of ethics in government. 8. Outline the arguments supporting social responsibility. 9. Explore the need for law in our society. 10. Clarify how the law and ethics are usually in harmony with one another. Chapter 2 11. List the objectives of the law. 12. Clarify the duality of the law. 13. Outline the content of the U.S. Constitution. 14. Explain several central constitutional principles and powers. 15. Explain the role of statutory law in the legal system. 16. Defend the need to set up a system of uniform laws. 17. State the role of common law in the legal system. 18. Describe how the principle of stare decisis provides stability within the law. 19. Differentiate between statutory interpretation and judicial review. 20. Account for the legislature s need to establish administrative agencies. Chapter 3 21. Explain the fundamental nature of American courts. 22. Determine when a case can be brought in federal court. 23. Recognize those cases that can be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. 24. Identify the structure of most state court systems. 25. Define civil litigation. 26. List the most commonly used discovery techniques. 27. Detail the nature of an appeal. 28. Determine the extent of cyberjurisdiction. 29. Explain the nature of electronically stored information (ESI). 30. Describe the steps in a criminal prosecution. Chapter 5 31. Explain the purpose of criminal law. 32. Enumerate the various categories and classes of crimes. 33. Describe the nature of an act within the concept of criminal liability. 34. Identify the four mental states to be found in the criminal code. 35. Explain the nature of corporate criminal liability. 36. Explain the various theories of punishment within criminal law. 37. Enumerate and explain the elements of several key crimes. 38. Define and explain the nature of cybercrimes. 39. Explain the three standards for the insanity defense in criminal law. 40. Outline the requirements of entrapment as a defense in criminal law. Chapter 6 41. Differentiate between the objectives of tort law and those of criminal law. 42. Outline the nature of respondeat superior. 43. Discuss the element of duty. 44. Identify the principle intentional torts and outline the elements of each.
45. Explain the four elements of negligence. 46. Contrast contributory negligence, comparative negligence, and assumption of the risk. 47. Judge when the doctrine of strict liability applies. 48. Discuss the emerging trends in cybertort law. 49. Outline the various remedies available in tort law. 50. Point out some developments in tort reform. Chapter 34 51. Differentiate among the major new world orders. 52. List the criteria for a just war. 53. Explain the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. 54. Describe the mission of the International Criminal Court. 55. Identify the main goal of UNCITRAL. 56. State the differences between the UCC and the CISG. 57. Outline the structure of the World Trade Organization. 58. Relate the objectives of the Dispute Settlement Understanding. 59. Determine the major purpose of NAFTA. 60. Clarify the goals of the European Union. 61. Complete international project. Chapter 7 62. Explain the three theories of contract law. 63. Identify the six elements of a contract. 64. Explain the place of the UCC in contract law. 65. Distinguish contracts from other agreements between different parties. 66. Explain the concept of privity and contract law. 67. Explain the nature of valid, void, voidable, and unenforceable contracts. 68. Contrast unilateral and bilateral contractual arrangements. 69. Outline the difference between express and implied contracts. 70. Discuss the difference between quasi-contracts and implied-in-fact contracts. 71. Differentiate between formal and informal contracts. 72. Explain how executory contracts differ from executed contracts. Chapter 8 73. Define mutual assent. 74. Identify the elements of an offer. 75. Explain the UCC s concept of offer in contract law. 76. Explain the nature of acceptance. 77. Define the mirror image rule. 78. Explain the process of revocation. 79. Identify those statutes that affect mutual assent in cyberspace. 80. Explain the elements of fraud and misrepresentation. 81. Identify the effects of mistake on mutual assent. 82. Describe duress and undue influence. Chapter 9 83. Define the term consideration. 84. Identify the different types of detriment 85. Explain the characteristics necessary for valid consideration. 86. Define the term unconscionable. 87. Explain whether a promise not to sue can be consideration. 88. Explain whether a charitable pledge can be consideration. 89. Define accord and satisfaction. 90. Identify those enforceable contracts that lack consideration. 91. Explain promissory estoppel. 92. Describe the issues involved in cyber-payments Chapter 10 93. Identify the age of minority and the age of majority. 94. Explain the legal status of a contract made by a minor.
95. Differentiate between ratification and disaffirmance. 96. Identify the effects of mental impairment on a contract. 97. Discuss the contractual capacity of a drugged or intoxicated person. 98. Explain the legality of agreements to commit torts and crimes. 99. Identify those agreements made illegal under statutory law. 100. Enumerate those agreements contrary to public policy. 101. Explain what happens under the doctrine of in pari delicto. 102. Explain the effects of illegality. Chapter 11 103. Identify the goals of the Statute of Frauds. 104. Identify those contracts that must be in writing. 105. List the information that must be in the writing. 106. Explain the Standard Construction Rule. 107. Discuss the Parol Evidence Rule. 108. Explain the exceptions to the Parol Evidence Rule. 109. Explain the Best Evidence Rule. 110. Discuss the Equal Dignities Rule. 111. Explain the problems associated with cyber-commerce. 112. Outline the latest cyber-commerce statutes. Chapter 21 113. Summarize the history of bankruptcy law in the United States. 114. Discuss restoring credit following bankruptcy. 115. State the criteria necessary to be eligible to file voluntarily for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. 116. Explain the means test that is required for filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. 117. State the criteria necessary for creditors to force debtors into involuntary bankruptcy. 118. Distinguish between an order for relief and automatic stay in the bankruptcy process. 119. List the federal exemptions debtors can exclude from the bankruptcy process. 120. Recognize those debts that have priority payment status under the Bankruptcy Code. 121. Explain Chapter 11 bankruptcy, emphasizing the reorganization process. 122. Discuss the requirements for Chapters 12 and 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 23 123. Explain the doctrine of employment-at-will. 124. Itemize the statutory situations that fall outside employment-at-will. 125. Explain the contractual situations that fall outside employment-at-will. 126. List the wrongful discharge exceptions to employment-at-will. 127. Explain the after-acquired evidence rule. 128. Explain the laws regulating employee working conditions. 129. Outline the laws providing worker benefits. 130. Explain the provisions of the Civil Rights Act. 131. Explain the protections provided by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. 132. Explain the nature of and the need for a social media policy. Chapter 29 133. Give examples of tangible and intangible personal property. 134. Describe the methods of owning property with others. 135. Differentiate among lost property, misplaced property, and abandoned property. 136. Identify the requirements of a completed gift. 137. Explain the law that applies to stolen property. 138. Determine when a bailment occurs. 139. Name and describe the principal types of bailments. 140. Discuss the burden of proof as it relates to bailments. 141. Make clear an innkeeper s duty to accept all guests. 142. Explain innkeepers duties of care to their guests and their guests property. Chapter 30 143. Explain what constitutes real property. 144. Differentiate between freehold and leasehold estates.
145. Describe the different types of co-ownership of real property. 146. Identify the methods of acquiring title to real property. 147. Explain eminent domain. 148. List the five elements necessary to create a landlord tenant relationship. 149. Identify the essential requirements of a lease. 150. Clarify rent control and security deposits. 151. Make clear the duties of landlords and tenants. 152. Discuss tort liability as it applies to landlords and tenants.
SUGGESTED EVALUATION PLAN Task Weight Objectives Exam #1 20% 1 through 30 Exam #2 20% 31 through 61 Exam #3 20% 62 through 112 Exam #4 20% 13 through 152 Quizzes 10% 1 through 152 Tennessee Supreme Court Case Analysis 10% 1 through 152 FINAL GRADING PLAN Based Upon Percentages A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 0-59% Additional Comments: Quizzes are given using D2L.
INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE Week Objective Content to be Covered Student Assignments/ Supplementary Material(s) 1 1 through 10 Introduction Chapter 1 Read Chapter 1 Take Ch. 1 Quiz 2 11 through 20 Chapter 2 Read Chapter 2 Take Ch. 2 Quiz 3 21 through 30 Chapter 3 Read Chapter 3 Take Ch. 3 Quiz 4 1 through 30 31 through 40 Exam I (Ch. 1-3) Chapter 5 Read Chapter 5 Take Ch. 5 Quiz 5 41 through 50 Chapter 6 Read Chapter 6 Take Ch. 6 Quiz 6 51 through 61 Chapter 34 Read Chapter 34 Take Ch. 34 Quiz 7 31 through 61 62 through 72 Exam II (Ch. 5, 6, 34) Chapter 7 Read Chapter 7 Take Ch. 7 Quiz 8 73 through 82 Chapter 8 Read Chapter 8 Take Ch. 8 Quiz 9 83 through 92 93 through 102 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Read Chapters 9 & 10 Take Ch. 9 & Ch. 10 Quizzes 10 103 through 112 Chapter 11 Read Chapter 11 Take Ch. 11 Quizz 11 62 through 112 113 through 122 Exam III (Ch. 7-11) Chapter 21 Read Chapter 21Take Ch. 21 Quiz
INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE (con't) 12 123 through 132 Chapter 23 Read Chapter 23 Take Ch. 23 Quiz 13 133 through 142 Chapter 29 Read Chapter 29 Take Ch. 29 Quiz 14 143 through 152 Chapter 30 Read Chapter 30 Take Ch. 30 Quiz 15 113 through 152 Final exam (Ch. 21, 23, 29, 30)