COURSE SYLLABUS

BUL 2241 BUSINESS LAW I Section 108

(Blended/Live Classes)

Semester 525, Spring 2017

View the Syllabus Addendumwhichprovides the most current version of fluid information, such as the academic calendar.

WELCOME

Hi everyone and welcome to BUL2241 Section 108(Live).

I am Dr. Ellen Siegman and I will be your instructor this semester. I have a consulting business for mediation and arbitration, and previously practiced corporate law on Wall Street and for a Fortune 500 company. (I also teach BUL 2241, BUL 2242 & BUL 3310 on-line and BUL 2131 live at the Tarpon Springs Campus.)

I hope you enjoy this course and learn not only about the law but how it effects everyday business decision making. I designed this course with a focus on the business executive’s needs and while the material is intense and there’s much to cover, I’ve incorporated several fun assignments and discussions so I hope you enjoy the class.

INSTRUCTOR

Name:Ellen I. Siegman

Email:Primary Email: Please use MyCourses

Secondary email:

Phone:727-791-2557

Office : Tuesdays and Thursday at Tarpon Springs Campus after class.

Online Hours: By appointment

Instructor Web Page:

COURSE INFORMATION

This course is designed to give the student a general understanding of the various areas of statutory and common law, and their impact upon the business community. This will be accomplished by including such topics as the structure of the American legal system, alternate dispute resolution, constitutional law, contracts, UCC sales, negligence, torts and the law of agency. There are 47 contact hours.

Course Goals:

As your instructor it is my goal that you learn the following from this course.

  1. To understand the legal environment of business including a study of the nature and sources of law, court systems, constitutional law, lawmaking by administrative agencies and torts.
  2. To apply the laws and understand the principles of contract law including the nature and classification of contracts, agreement, consideration, contractual capacity, illegality, reality of consent, contracts required to be in writing, rights of third parties and discharge of contracts.
  3. To analyze commercial transactions, including the law of sales, formations and interpretations of the sales contract, title, risk of loss, insurable interests, warranties and performance, and remedies.
  4. To understand government regulation, environmental law, and the principles of agency law.

Course Objectives:

  1. Students will defineand apply the nature and sources of law, court systems, constitutional law, lawmaking by administrative agencies, jurisdiction, dispute resolution and torts.
  1. Students will describe and evaluate the law of agency as well as principles of contract law including the nature and classification of contracts, agreement, consideration, contractual capacity, illegality, the reality of consent, those contracts required to be in writing and the effect of this area of law on the business decision making process.
  1. Students will define and apply the law of commercial transactions including formation andinterpretation of the sales contracts, title, risk of loss, insurable interest, warranties and performance and remedies and its application to the business decision making process.
  1. Students will identify the types of business structures presently available and determine the risks and benefits of each as well as the importance of choosing the right form of business structure for the particular style of business being created.
  1. Students will delineate between types of government regulation as it applies to the transacting of business.
  1. Students will describe and evaluate environment laws and their impact on the business decision making process including sustainability business practices.

Availability of Course Content:The course content will open the Friday before classes begin, however you have access to the syllabus and may begin reading assigned chapters and working on the upcoming week 1 assignments.

There is noProctored Testing for this course. All tests are open book and open note, however you may not collaborate with any other student nor person when taking a quiz or test.

Course Requirements:

In order to successfully complete this course, it is imperative that students have regular access to a computer that is connected to the Internet.It is strongly recommended that students havea broadband (high-speed) internet connection such asDSL or a cable modem. When taking on-line quizzes and exams (or viewing on-line video), students should have an internet connection that is stable and will not drop their connection.

If you haven’t a stable high-speed internet connection I encourage you to take on-line quizzes and exams at one of the St. Petersburg College libraries (or a similar facility) where a stablehigh-speed internet connection is available. Internet Explorer is the preferredbrowser to use to access course materials.

Because of the use of teams in many classes, a formal standard has been devised. This standard applies to all classes. Studentsare required to submit assignments and share team documents in Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel and other Microsoft formats if specified).

The College provides full function student licenses of Microsoft software, other than the basic Office product.

Other Critical Course Expectations:You must have regular and continued access to a computer that has internet access. You must also have access to a web cam with audio to successfully complete this course.

PLEASE be sure you submit assignments in Microsoft Word 97 or higher. Please be sure you use Microsoft word for all drop box attachments, because, if I can’t open the assignment it’s considered late and will receive a zero. PDF’s are not permitted.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & OTHER RESOURCE INFORMATION

Ebook or Custom version of Business Law and The Legal Environment, 7th Ed. by Beatty andSamuelson; Cengage Publishing

You may directly purchase the textbook, an e-book or rent the text via Cengage Brain.There is a course code that is part of the purchase so you must purchase the book directly from either our campus bookstore or the publisher.

ISBN: 9781305761032with this ISBN as long as you order the textbook via our Barnes & Noble Bookstore your cost should be no more than $145.00. You may order the e-book and course access code for approximately $80.00.

View the

Here is the website to purchase the ebook:

Follow the prompts to register your MindTapcourse( you will need to use MindTap)

If you already registered an access code or bought MindTap online, the course key to register for this course is:

MTPN-4T6P-0JFF

IMPORTANT DATES

Course Dates: Enter course beginning and ending dates here OR View the Academic Calendarsite(1/9-5/5/2017)

Drop Date: Enter Drop date hereOR View theAcademic Calendarsite(1/13/2017)

Withdrawal Date: Enter Withdrawal date hereOR View theAcademic Calendarsite (3/22/2017)

Proctor Dates:View theProctored Testing Informationsite.

Financial Aid Dates: View the Financial Aid Datessite

GRADING

Grading Policy:

A90-100%D60-69%

B80-89%FLess than 60%

C70-79%

Grading:

You will be returned “graded” assignments. Weekly assignments account for 26% of your grade. Be sure to understand that the textbook is only your starting point when completing chapter assignments and case evaluations and that if a case is associated with a chapter assignment, you must locate the case via the Lexis database in our online library. Also, the textbook is our starting point because the information provided in it is general and it is only by reading the supplemental materials and cases that you understand how the law is applied on a fact by fact basis.

General writing assignments and discussions are graded based on two criteria:

(1)Substantive content; i.e. whether the student understood the assignment task(s) and provided complete answers to same.

  1. Complete answers means you not only provide the answer but that you fully explain it. In other words, if the question calls for you

to list the elements of negligence, not only list the elements, but, explain the meaning of each element as well.

(2)Written communication skills; i.e., whether you were able to clearly communicate your answer to the question using proper grammar and sentence structure.

Case/Issue Evaluation and The Team Project:

These items are graded based on the grading rubric provided in the course materials folder, as well as the following:

  1. Ability to identify the relevant case facts, which are those facts that gave rise to the lawsuit and any issues in the case as well as the facts that support the defendant’s position;
  2. Ability to identify the issue or issues in the case, which are the legal questions based on the cause of action and facts;
  3. Ability to identify the holding which is the decision made by the court regarding the issue(s);
  4. Ability to identify the law used by the court to reach its holding;
  5. Ability to identify the court’s reasoning for its holding. This is generally the longest section of the brief and explains in detail why

the court held as it did.

  1. Ability to provide an opinion and management recommendations based on your understanding of the case and application of the law. For the management recommendations you must be specific with the manner in which company policies and procedures would be modified to avoid similar future issues.

If for some reason you fail an assignment I will explain the reason in the accompanying e-mail. If you simply do not submit an assignment, you will automatically receive an “F”.

BE SURE TO PLACE YOUR COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS IN THE CORRECT DROP BOX FOR PROPER CREDIT. I have no doubt you’re each very busy and things happen so please double check the deposit of your assignments.

Group/Team Projects

There will be one group/team project. The project is split into several sections or what I call deliverables and you’ll be assigned to your team in week 5. Once assigned you’ll check in with your team and post to the team discussion forum. Please see the Team Materials folder for instructions and be sure to read the team policies and expectations before starting any work.

The team captain is the first to post to the team’s discussion forum unless agreed to otherwise by the team. Also, the team captain is responsible for completing and submitting the team expectation form. The team is not autocratic; therefore, input from team members is required prior to submitting the expectation form.

Team members – Failure to meaningfully participate with your team will result in your grade being adjusted accordingly.

Please see the Team Materials Folder for instructions and the policy on team participation.

GRADING AND REPEAT COURSE POLICIES

State policy specifies that students may not repeat courses for which a grade of “C” or higher has been earned except by appeal to an associate provost. Students may repeat a course one time without penalty. On the third attempt, students will pay the full cost of instruction. In addition to any required lab or special fees, the full cost of instruction rate for 2011-2012 is $352.29 per credit hour. In addition, on the third attempt students may NOT receive a grade of “I,” “W,” or “X,” but must receive the letter grade earned. The grade on the final last attempt with the exception of a “W” grade will be the grade that will be calculated into the overall grade point average. (Developmental courses do not average into the grade point average).

ASSIGNMENTS

WEEKLYASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
(The instructor reserves the right to adjust the assignments.)

Modules / Class Date / Chapter Title/Projects / Reading Assignment / Written
Assignment / Points / Assignment Due Date
1 / Jan. 10 & 12 / Introduction to Law / Ch. 1 / None
1 / Common Law, Statutory Law, and Administrative Law / Ch. 4 / WebCam Research Assignment / 10 / Sun. 1/15/17
1 / Quiz I / Chapters 1 & 4 / Quiz I / 10 / Sun. 1/15/17
1 / Syllabus Quiz / Syllabus / Syllabus Quiz / 10 / Sun. 1/15/17
1 / Discussion Topic
Week 1 & Introductions / Please see this module’s discussion forum / 5 / Please be prepared to introduce yourself in class on Tuesday and discuss the topics in class on Thursday
2 / Jan. 17&19 / Constitutional Law / Ch. 5 / Brief a Case – Part 1 (Just thFacts) / 10 / Sun. 1/22/17
2 / Alternative Dispute Resolution / Ch. 6
2 / QUIZ II
Taken and completed online / Chs. 5 & 6 / Complete Quiz II (Chs 5 & 6) / 10 / Sun. 1/22/17
2 / Discussion Topic / Please see this module’s discussion forum / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
3 / Jan. 24 &26 / Crimes / Ch. 7 / Brief a Case –Part 2 / 10 / Sun. 1/29/17
3 / Intentional Torts & Business Torts / Ch. 8 / Video Exercise (Accessible via Cengage) / 10 / Sun. 1/29/17
3 / Negligence, Strict Liability & Product Liability / Ch. 9
3 / Quiz III / Chs. 7-9 / Complete Quiz III / 10 / 1/29/17
3 / Discussion Topic / Please see this module’s discussion forum / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
4 / Jan. 31 & Feb. 2 / Introduction to Contracts / Ch. 11 / See Brief a Case Assignment
4 / Agreement: Offer & Acceptance / Ch. 12 / See Brief A Case Assignment / 10 / Sun. 2/5/17
4 / Consideration / Ch. 13
4 / QUIZ IV / Complete quiz (Chs 11-13) / 10 / Sun. 2/5/17
4 / Discussion Topic / Please see this module’s discussion forum / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
5 / Feb. 7 & 9 / Legality / Ch. 14 / See Brief a Case Assignment
5 / Voidable Contracts: Capacity and Consent / Ch. 15 / Teams Assigned
5 / Written Contracts / Ch. 16 / Brief a Case-Part 4 / 10 / Sun. 2/12/17
5 / QUIZ V / Chs. 14-16 / Complete quiz (Chs. 14-16 / 10 / Sun.2/12/17
5 / Cengage Media/Video Quiz / Choose a chapter / Watch and Take
Video Exercise (Accessible via Cengage) / 10 / Sun. 2/12/17
5 / Teams Assigned / Check Announcements / Post to your team discussion and introduce yourself / 5 / Sun. 2/12/17
5 / Discussion Topic / Please see this module’s discussion forum / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
6 / Feb. 14 & 16 / Third Parties / Ch. 17 / Work on Team Building Exercise
6 / Cengage Media/Video Quiz / Choose a chapter / Watch and Take
Video Exercise (Accessible via Cengage) / 10 / Sun. 2/19/17
6 / Performance and Discharge / Ch. 18
Team Project / Team Building Exercise (Complete as a Team) / Complete and submit Team Building Exercise / 10 / Sun. 2/19/17
6 / Discussion Topics / Please see this module’s discussion forum / Be prepared to discuss the topic in class on Thursday
7 / Feb. 21 & 23 / Remedies & Review / Ch. 19 / Dropbox Assignment (Putting it all together) / 10 / Sun. 2/26/17
7 / Team Deliverable I / The law – Your starting point for any case / Complete and submit Team Deliverable I / 20 / Sun. 2/16/17
7 / Discussion Topic / Team Project Discussion Forums / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
8 / Feb. 28 & Mar. 2 / Agency / Ch. 28 / Study for Midterm
MIDTERM / Chapters for weeks 1-7 / 100 / Thurs. 3/2– Sun. 3/5
8 / Cengage Media/Video Quiz / Choose a chapter / Watch and Take
Video Exercise (Accessible via Cengage) / 10 / Sun. 3/5/17
8 / Discussion Topic / Be prepared to discuss team project / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
No Class / Mar. 5-Mar. 12 / Spring Break / Spring Break / Spring Break / No Class
9 / Mar. 14 & 16 / Introduction to Sales / Ch. 21
9 / Ownership & Risk / Ch. 22 / Video Exercise accessible via Cengage / 10 / Sun. 3/19/17
9 / Team Deliverable II / Investigate and Learn (create questions to ask your own client) / Complete and submit Team Deliverable II / 20 / Sun. 3/19/17
9 / Discussion Topic / Team discussions / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
10 / Mar. 21 & 23 / Antitrust / Ch. 38
10 / Consumer Law / Ch. 39 / Video Exercise via Cengage / 10 / Sun.3/26/17
10 / Team Deliverable III / Discovery Time: Interrogatories & Request to Produce / Complete and submit Team Deliverable III / 20 / Sun. 3/26/17
10 / Discussion Topic / Team discussion / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
11 / Mar. 28 & 30 / Environmental Law & Sustainability / Ch. 40 / View and take Cengage Video quiz / 10 / Sun. 4/2/17
11 / Team Deliverable IV / Answering the Rogs & RTP / Complete and submit Team Deliverable IV / 20 / Sun. 4/2/17
11 / Discussion Topic / Team discussion / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
12 / Apr. 6th (Class on Thursday only this week) / Introduction to Business Organizations / Ch. 31 / View and Take Cengage Video Quiz / 10 / Sun. 4/9/17
12 / Team Deliverable V / Create Questions for Deposition purposes / Complete and submit Team Deliverable V / 20 / Sun. 4/9/17
12 / Discussion Topic / Team discussion / 5 / Be prepared to discuss topic in class Thursday
13 / Apr.11 & 13 / Intellectual Property – An introduction / Ch. 41 / Team Project
13 / Cyberlaw & Privacy / Ch. 10 / Team Project
13 / Mock Trial / Prepare for Trial / Deposition Time / 20 / In class Tues & Thurs.
14 / Apr. 18 & 20 / Team Project / Plaintiff’s Case in Chief/Defense Rebuttal / Mock Trial / 50 / In Class Tues. & Thurs.
15 / Apr. 25 / Team Project Wrap Up / Closing Arguments (Last opportunity to convince the trier of fact) / Mock Trial Continued (Closing Arguments) / 20 / In Class Tuesday
16 / Review & Final Exam / Final Exam / 100 / Online Thurs. 4/27-Sun. 4/30

Grading Policy:

A90-100%D60-69%

B80-89%FLess than 60%

C70-79%

Course Breakdown Weight Points

~ Case Problems/Case Briefs 22%140

~ Class Discussion10%65

~ Team Project 31%200

~ Quizzes 7%45

~ Midterm15% 100

~ Final15% 100

STUDENTS’ EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTOR’S EXPECTATIONS

Time Commitment:

This is a 3-credit course conducted over 8 weeks. In order to meet accreditation standards, on average, students should expect to spend between 12 to 15 hours per week on course activities and assignments. Spending less time would be insufficient for success in this course.

REQUIRED INTERACTION

Because there is a team project in this course that accounts for a 33% of your grade, you will be required to interact with your team members on a regular basis. You will do so by logging into your team’s discussion several times each week and by online team meetings and any other form of communication agreed to by all team members. Please see the team policies and expectations document provided in the team materials folder for further details.

You will also be required to participate in online meetings as scheduled on the syllabus. As stated above you must have online access to a computer with a webcam.

PARTICIPATION, CONDUCT, & NETIQUETTE

CLASS PARTICIPATION:

Class participation is not only encouraged but expected as well. Participation is defined as reading and preparing for class, and taking part in course discussions and activities. Discussion boards will be provided each week for online courses, and failure to participate in discussion forums will negatively affect your grade. For blended courses your class participation grade is based on your active participation in class. I teach in a Socratic method, meaning student involvement is required. You must read the chapter for the assigned week prior to class.