FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOMERSET (SOMERSET COUNTY), NEW JERSEY
Course Syllabus – Principles of Business Law
Teacher: Ms. Bah
Email:
COURSE GUIDE
I. PROGRAM: Business/Cooperative Education
II. COURSE TITLE: Principles of Business Law
III. GRADE LEVELS: 10, 11, 12
IV. TOTAL INSTRUCTIONAL TIME: One Semester
V. CREDITS: 2.5
VI. PREREQUISITES: None
VII. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To present the purposes of law.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
2. To understand the principal forms of law.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
3. To present the importance and obligations of citizenship
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
4. To understand the functioning of the court system.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
5. To understand the difference between criminal and civil actions.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
6. To understand the reciprocal relationship between rights and responsibilities.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
7. To understand the Law of Contracts.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
8. To understand the responsibilities of an individual in society, and that our rights are limited by others rights.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
9 To improve interdisciplinary skills such as study, language arts, reading and math (when needed) and their direct relationship to successful business practices and relationships.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
10. To help students in making sound reasoning judgments in regards to business decisions at various levels.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
11. To develop in the students a realization of the self-discipline needed to complete simulated legal problems efficiently, accurately and on time.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
12. Demonstration, by the student, of the need to nurture interpersonal relations while realizing the need for proper decorum and individual job responsibilities.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
13. To strengthen secondary vocational programs through increased academic content of mathematics, reading skills, language arts, thus bringing students to a high level of education that will enable them to adopt and adapt to new technology and its use in the legal profession.
Core Curriculum Content Standards 9.1 and 9.2
VIII. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a semester-long elective open to students in Grades 10 through 12. The students will study law as it applies to business or their personal life, the organization and functions of courts, basic principles of law and its application to business practices. The students will study laws that apply to typical business situations in the area of offer, acceptance, agreement, consideration, void/voidable agreements, statue of frauds, transfer and discharge of contracts, remedies for breach of contract, and other legal areas. Realizing the need for good language arts skills in today’s society, this course will stress proper expression of thoughts and correct professional writing skills. You will studytrue situations that show you how business and personal law impacts not only business but your life as well. This introductory learning course will help you achieve an understanding of legal principles that you will use throughout your life and how business lawimpacts your lifeon a daily basis. Additional focus will be on the ever-immerging global economy with regards to business law and the impact it hason the 21st Century.
IX. TOPICS
Unit 1: Law, Justice and You
A. The shield of the Constitution
B. Ethics in our law
C. Kinds of law
D. Enforcing the law
E. Crimes
F. Torts
Unit 2: Special Laws for Special Groups
A. Laws for Minors
B. Laws for Families
C. Laws for Consumers
Unit 3: Contracts: Making Binding Agreements
A. Offer and acceptance
B. Mutual consideration
C. Void and Voidable agreements
D. Proper form
E. Ending contractual obligations
F. Remedies for breach of contract
Unit 4: Contracts: Buying and Selling Goods
A. The Sales Contract
B. Transfer of ownership and risk of loss
C. Defective products
Unit 5: Special Sections
A. Pressing Issue: Environmental Law
B. Careers in law
C. International Business Law
D. Choosing an attorney
X. STUDENT OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of Principles of Business Law, the student will be able to:
Generally
1. Correctly use terminology relating to legal careers and concepts.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of understanding foundations of the law and how they relate to the present legal structure.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the methods used to violate the law, and eliminating legal difficulties.
4. Develop an appreciation for the responsible use, purposes and working of the court systems found in the state and county.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the world of contracts, how to intelligently enter and successfully terminate contracts.
6. Explain trends and ramifications of legislative actions for the present and the future.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of career possibilities in the law, requirements for career education and job entry.
Specifically
1. Explain how the U.S. Constitution has contributed to the development of one of the greatest countries in the history of the world.
2. Explain the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
3. Identify how the Constitution has been a shield against possible violations of basic human rights.
4. Identify the three major parts of the Constitution.
5. Explain how power to govern and make laws is divided between the federal and state governments.
6. Identify the principal human rights protected by the Bill of Rights and by subsequent amendments.
7. Explain how additional amendments improved the Constitution.
8. Recognize when ethics should affect a decision.
9. Determine when a person acts without regard to ethics.
10. Describe the basic forms of ethical reasoning.
11. Identify the ethical justification for many laws.
12. Explain why we are obligated to obey the law.
13. Distinguish between a scofflaw and civil disobedience.
14. Describe the difference between law courts and equity courts.
15. Explain how constitutional, statutory, case, and administrative laws are created.
16. Explain how we resolve conflicts among constitutional, statutory, case, and administrative laws.
17. Describe the difference between civil and criminal law.
18. Describe the difference between substantive and procedural laws.
19. Understand when business law regulates a situation.
20. Describe how disputes can be resolved without courts.
21. Explain how courts operate.
22. Distinguish between trial courts and appellate courts.
23. State the jurisdictions of federal, state, and local courts.
24. Understand how a juvenile court differs from criminal and civil courts.
25. Discuss the various procedures used in juvenile, criminal, and civil trials.
26. Describe how courts render judgments.
27. Define the elements present in all crimes.
28. Distinguish between a felony and a misdemeanor.
29. Describe crimes that commonly occur in the business environment.
30. Explain the rights of a person who has been arrested.
31. Understand when one party is responsible for the criminal acts of another.
32. Discuss defenses to criminal charges.
33. Describe the punishments for crimes.
34. Explain the difference between crimes and torts.
35. Describe the elements of a tort.
36. Understand when one person is responsible for the torts of another.
37. Determine what the victim of a tort can recover.
38. Understand the reasons for the special status and protection afforded minors in our society.
39. State the legal rights and duties of minors and their parents.
40. Explain the rights and duties of minors as students and drivers.
41. Understand how the law affects premarital and marital relationships.
42. Define the rights and duties of wives and husbands.
43. Describe how a marriage is legally ended.
44. Explain the legal consequences of a person’s death.
45. Know the legal definition of a will and why a person makes one.
46. Describe how a decedent’s estate is managed.
47. Understand why the law focuses on the protection of consumers.
48. Describe how the law protects against substandard consumer goods.
49. Know the trade practices that are prohibited by consumer law.
50. Appreciate the contribution of local and state governments of consumer protection.
51. Explain the nature and importance of contracts.
52. List the requirements of an offer.
53. Outline ways an offer is ended, and how it can be kept open.
54. List how the requirements of an acceptance and explain how they results in a valid contract.
55. Understand the nature of consideration in contracts.
56. Know why consideration if essential.
57. Recognize unacceptable types of consideration.
58. Recognize exceptions to the requirement of consideration.
59. Explain what makes an agreement void or voidable.
60. List and describe types of illegal agreements.
61. Identify exceptions where courts help parties to illegal agreements.
62. Define fraud by tracing its essential elements.
63. Distinguish between duress and undue influence.
64. Demonstrate the effect of mistakes.
65. Analyze the effect of minority of the voidability of contracts, including those made for necessaries.
66. Understand the effect of misstating one’s age as a minor.
67. Appreciate the importance of proper form for certain contracts.
68. Classify contracts by their form, how they are made and the extent of their performance.
69. Identify types of contracts that must be in writing and signed by the defendant to be enforceable.
70. Define and apply the parol evidence rule.
71. Know how courts interpret written contracts.
72. Explain the difference between assigning contractual rights and delegating related duties.
73. Identify the rights of assignees.
74. Describe customary and unusual ways that contracts are discharged.
75. Discuss tender of performance.
76. Identify two types of beneficiaries, who are not parties to the contract
77. Describe the basic remedies available for victims of breaches.
78. Define four types of damages awarded by courts.
79. Discuss how injured parties can be denied remedy through a delay in suing a thorough bankruptcy of debtors.
80. Define the sale of goods under the Uniform Commercial Code.
81. Identify unconscionable contracts and contracts of adhesion.
82. Recognize the benefits and burdens of ownership of property.
83. Compare the various methods of acquiring property.
84. Appreciate the unique role of merchants and why and how they are treated specially by the law.
85. Distinguish between payment, delivery, and transfer of title of goods.
86. Discuss how the statute of frauds applies to the sale of goods.
87. Discuss who may transfer ownership of goods.
88. Describe various types of goods.
89. Recognize when ownership and risk of loss transfer.
90. Differentiate between routine sales and important special types of sales.
91. Understand the unique problems in a bulk transfer of goods.
92. Distinguish between implied and express warranties and understand the protection they provide.
93. Appreciate the importance of careful, informed buying even when warranties are available. “Caveat emptor!”
94. Recognize the preeminent importance of the warranty of merchantability, but realize that it is often limited or excluded by sellers.
95. Differentiate between a full warranty and a limited warranty.
96. Know that application of strict liability law can protect consumers injured by defective products, regardless of the presence or absence of warranties or sellers’ negligence.
Demonstrate improved affective skills (many of these skills will be demonstrated on the Work Ethics sheet, and general behavior and case team interaction)
Self-Awareness
1. Discuss the positive qualities of self and others.
2. Explain the importance of self-esteem.
3. Understand the relationship between self-image and behavior.
4. Practice ways to improve self-image i.e., setting and achieving goals.
5. Identify and analyze positive adult role models.
6. Identify and practice ways to manage stress and adjust to change.
Interpersonal
1. Practice skills necessary to sustaining interpersonal relationships.
2. Use decision-making strategies to resolve conflicts with self, peers, parents and authority figures.
3. Demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of others’ feelings and needs.
4. Identify and practice ways to relieve stress.
Decision Making
1. Analyze the influence of family, peers, community and media on decisions regarding high-risk behavior.
2. Explain and practice the decision-making process regarding high-risk behaviors.
3. Identify and practice refusal skills in situations, which may be harmful.
4. Recognize the affects of short-term decisions on long-term goals.
XI. STUDENT EVALUATION TECHNIQUES AND REQUIREMENTS
A. Requirements include tests, classwork, homework assignments, quizzes, and special projects assigned by teacher.
B. Classroom participation is required and part of the evaluation.
C. Case Studies based on actual court cases at the end of each chapter are assigned so that students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real life situations.
D. A minimum level of reading skill is expected for a law class given the nature of the material.
E. A final examination is required for the course.
F. All students are expected to maintain a notebook of legal terms, notes, and other items deemed necessary by the teacher.
G. All work must be done neatly and in a timely manner.
H. Marks will be determined by district grading system.
I. Final Course grade will be determined as follows: Marking Period 1 (40%), Marking Period 2 (40%), and Final Exam (20%).
J. A reasonable amount of flexibility is inherent in these guidelines, particularly in the evaluation of class work and participation. This is relative to the individual student’ learning style and the equality of participation based on the teachers’ assessment of individual students as opposed to the group or class.
XII. COURSE POLICIES
A. Attendance: Attendance is crucial. This is a half-year course. 8 or more absences can result in students receiving no credit! It is the students’ responsibility to speak with the instructor about any missed assignments. Make up work is not to be done during class time. If an assignment is due on the date you are absent, it is due the DAY YOU RETURN. You do not get additional time to complete assignments assigned before your absence. Make-up tests and quizzes will be made up during r after school hours. No make-up work is accepted for a grade after 5 school days of your return to school.