Columbus State Community College JUSTICE & SAFETY Paralegal Studies COURSE: LEGL 2061 BUSINESS LAW CREDITS: 3 CLASS HOURS PER WEEK: 3 PREREQUISITES: None DESCRIPTION OF COURSE: This course offers students a survey of the legal framework of business, the nature of legal systems and the law, including contracts, criminal and the law of tort, intellectual property and cyber law. It also explores the law of agency, corporation, partnerships and property. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES At the completion of this course the student will be able to 1. List components of state and federal court systems 2. Identify methods by which business disputes are resolved and litigated. 3. Explain contract and tort liability of business. 4. Identify the various business organizations and entities. 5. Define critical terms necessary to the understanding of basic principles of business law. GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES Columbus State Community College's general education outcomes are an integral part of the curriculum and central to the mission of the college. The faculty at Columbus State has determined that these outcomes include the following competencies: Critical Thinking Effective Communication Community and Civic Responsibility Quantitative Literacy Scientific and Technological Effectiveness Information Literacy TEXTBOOK Miller & Jentz, Business Law Today, 9 th Edition GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS Lecture, discussion, and written assignments including document preparation and case brief. ASSESSMENT Columbus State Community College is committed to assessment (measurement) of student achievement of academic outcomes. This process addresses the issues of what you need to learn in your program of study and if you are learning what you need to learn. The
assessment program at Columbus State has four specific and interrelated purposes: (1) to improve student academic achievements; (2) to improve teaching strategies; (3) to document successes and identify opportunities for program improvement; (4) to provide evidence for institutional effectiveness. In class you are assessed and graded on your achievement of the outcomes for this course. You may also be required to participate in broader assessment activities. STANDARDS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATION The student s performance will be measured by one exam and 4 written assignments (Contract, Case Brief, Complaint and Essay). The exam will be worth up to 100 points and each written assignment will be worth up to 25 points. The exam must be taken on the scheduled date unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Students who miss the exam will NOT be permitted to make-up the exam without permission of the instructor. Any written project submitted after the stated deadline will be counted as 0 points unless prior approval for late submission has been given by the instructor. All requests for make-up exam or late submission of the written project must be submitted in writing to the instructor and must state specifically the reason for the request. GRADING SCALE 180-200 points A 160-179 points B 140-159 points C 120-139 points D Below 120 points E ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance is expected and required. Students are expected to be on time and fully prepared for class discussion during each class period. Any student arriving more than ½ hour late or leaving more than ½ hour early, without approval from the instructor, will be marked absent. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT As an enrolled student at Columbus State Community College, you have agreed to abide by the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook. You should familiarize yourself with the student code. The Columbus State Community College expects you to exhibit high standards of academic integrity, respect and responsibility. Any confirmed incidence of misconduct, including plagiarism and other forms of cheating, will be treated seriously and in accordance with College Policy and Procedure 7-10.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) POLICY It is Columbus State policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities. If you would like to request such accommodations because of physical, mental or learning disability, please contact the Department of Disability Services, 101 Eibling Hall, 614.287.2570 (V/TTY). Delaware Campus students may also contact an advisor in the Student Services Center, first floor Moeller Hall, 740.203.8000. Ask for Delaware Campus advising, or www.cscc.edu/delaware, for assistance. INCLEMENT WEATHER OR OTHER EMERGENCIES In the event of severe weather or other emergencies that could force the college to close or to cancel classes, such information will be broadcast on radio stations and television stations. Students who reside in areas that fall under a Level III emergency should not attempt to drive to the college even if the college remains open. Assignments due on a day the college is closed will be due the next scheduled class period. If an examination is scheduled for a day the campus is closed, the examination will be given on the next class day. Students who miss a class because of weather-related problems with the class is held as scheduled are responsible for reading and other assignments as indicated in the syllabus. If an examination is missed, contact the instructor as soon as possible to determine how to make up the missed exam. Remember! It is the student s responsibility to keep up with reading and other assignments when a scheduled class does not meet, whatever the reason. In the event the college is forced to close during Final Examination Week, exams scheduled for the first missed date will be rescheduled as set forth in the Exam Schedule for the semester. FINANCIAL AID ATTENDANCE REPORTING Columbus State is required by federal law to verify the enrollment of students who participate in Federal Title IV student aid programs and/or who receive educational benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is the responsibility of the College to identify students who do not commence attendance or who stop attendance in any course for which they are registered and paid. Non-attendance is reported quarterly by each instructor, and results in a student being administratively withdrawn from the class section. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for information regarding the impact of course withdrawals on financial aid eligibility. UNITS OF INSTRUCTION Week 1 - Unit of Instruction: Overview of Syllabus & Class Requirements Introduction to the Legal System - Assigned Reading: Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Describe sources of law
List components of federal and state court systems UNITS OF INSTRUCTION (cont.) Week 2 - Unit of Instruction: Business Organizations Sole Proprietorship - Assigned Reading: Chapters 26 & 27 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Identify various structures of business entities Assess strengths & weaknesses of business entities Apply legal concepts governing principals, agents & employees - Assignment: Case Brief and Written Project Week 3 - Unit of Instruction: Business Organizations - Partnership - Assigned Reading: Chapters 28 & 29 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Identify various structures of business entities Assess strengths & weaknesses of business entities Apply legal concepts governing principals, agents & employees and Written Project Week 4 - Unit of Instruction: Business Organizations - Corporations - Assigned Reading: Chapters 28 & 29 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Identify various structures of business entities Assess strengths & weaknesses of business entities Apply legal concepts governing principals, agents & employees and Written Project Week 5 CASE BRIEF DUE - Unit of Instruction: Dispute Resolution - Learning Objectives/Goals: List basic requirements for business litigation Describe alternative dispute mechanisms - Assigned Reading: Chapter 3 Week 6 - Unit of Instruction: Business Liability - Learning Objectives/Goals: Define agency relationships Identify warranties
Apply product liability theories - Assigned Reading: Chapters 17 & 23 - Assignment: Case Problem and Written Project UNITS OF INSTRUCTION (cont.) Week 7 - Unit of Instruction: Legal Regulation of Business - Assigned Reading: Chapters 32 & 33 - Learning Objectives/Goals: List components of Sherman Antitrust Act Describe the role of the Federal Trade Commission Identify various consumer protection laws Week 8 CASE PROBLEM DUE - Unit of Instruction: Classification of Contracts - Assigned Reading: Chapters 15 & 16 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Identify basic components of a contract Recognize contract requirements List components of Uniform Electronic Transactions Act - Assignment: Draft contract and Written Project Week 9 - Unit of Instruction: Performance and Breach of Contracts - Assigned Reading: Chapters 15 & 16 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Identify basic components of a contract Recognize contract requirements List remedies for breach of contract and Written Project Week 10 CONTRACT AND CASE BRIEF DUE - Unit of Instruction: Torts - Assigned Reading: Chapter 4 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Classify tortious conduct Distinguish intentional from unintentional torts Week 11 - Unit of Instruction: Intellectual Property - Assigned Reading: Chapter 5
- Learning Objectives/Goals: Define trademarks and related property List requirements for patents Define copyright Apply rules controlling trade secrets UNITS OF INSTRUCTION (cont.) Week 12 - Unit of Instruction: Cyber Law - Assigned Reading: pp. 112-113; 125-128; 172-185 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Analyze cyber torts and online defamation Identify cyber marks Develop strategies to prevent business cyber crime Apply legal concepts to e-contracts - Assignment: Essay and Written Project Week 13 - Unit of Instruction: Security Interests in Personal Property - Assigned Reading: Chapter 20 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Define critical terms for secured transactions List how to create and perfect a security interest Week 14 - Unit of Instruction: Employment and Labor Law - Learning Objectives/Goals: Apply wage and hour laws Liability of employer for employee acts List employer responsibilities in family & medical leave - Assigned Reading: Chapter 24 Week 15 - Unit of Instruction: Business Taxation - Assigned Reading: Chapter 25 - Learning Objectives/Goals: Compute taxable business income Identify methods to avoid multiple taxation Distinguish tax liability for business entities Week 16 FINAL EXAM