COURSE OUTLINE 2022/2023 COURSE NAME: Business Law COURSE CODE: BLAW2205 COURSE DESCRIPTION An understanding of Canada’s laws and legal system is necessary for business graduates as law is a fundamental part of business. Students will explore several important areas of the law, including constitutional, tort, insurance, contracts, intellectual property and employment. Students will learn how legal disputes are resolved and how an understanding of basic legal principles can help a business minimize potential liability. Course Credits: 3.00 Pre-requisites: COMM1101 Equivalent Courses: BLAW162,BLAW161,JRSB205,AAC220 LEARNING OUTCOMES OUTCOME 1 Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to Explain the processes of law making and law enforcement in Canada, demonstrating proficiency in accessing legislation, case law and legal resources online. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome: • Outline the role played by lawyers in the legal system as well as the factors which a business, facing a legal issue or problem, should consider when hiring a lawyer. • Identify the legal and ethical obligations of lawyers as well as the procedures followed to enforce these standards. • Describe Canada’s legal systems and Constitution, outlining how power is divided and used. • Explain what the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is used to challenge the validity of government action. • Outline procedures for conducting civil actions and enforcing judgments. • Outline the advantages/disadvantages of alternative forms of dispute resolution. • Demonstrate proficiency in accessing case law, legislation and legal resources online. A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS 1 | BLAW2205 2 Contrast various forms of business organizations, comparing their advantages and disadvantages. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome: • Examine the defining characteristics of sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships and corporations. • Determine how the various types of partnerships are created. • Outline the duties of partners, including those commonly found in partnership agreements. • Analyze the separate legal entity principle and the rules of agency. • Outline the duties and liabilities faced by directors and shareholders, together with the impact of shareholder agreements. • Apply the concepts of agency, vicarious liability and unlimited personal liability in the context of various partnerships and of corporations. 3 Explain the nature of tort law, illustrating knowledge of intentional and unintentional torts through the development of a risk management framework, and explore the legal duties owed by professionals, under and beyond tort law. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome: • Examine the role of tort law and the various types of damages available. • Distinguish various intentional torts and 'business' torts. • Outline the four required elements of the tort of negligence and the tests used to establish each. • Assess when an occupier may be held liable to parties injured on its premises. • Discuss professional liability, differentiating three claims that can be brought against professionals or experts in a field. 4 Explain contract elements, methods of discharge, remedies for breach and general contract principles, and analyze the nature of the insurance contract and apply general insurance law principles as part of risk management. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome: • Analyze the five elements of a valid contract and their impact on enforceability of contracts. • Explain the requirement of writing and the Statute of Frauds. • Examine the four methods for discharging a contract. • Relate privity of contract and assignment of rights. • Contrast breach of contract and contractual defects, and contrast the remedies available for each. • Indicate why having an ‘insurable interest’ is critical to the validity of insurance contracts. • Explain the significance of an insurance policy being a contract of utmost good faith. 5 Describe laws regulating business relationships, including sales and consumer protection, international transactions, and laws protecting intellectual property. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome: • Illustrate how consumers are protected under the sale of goods legislation. • Examine laws regulating international transactions. • Outline the operation of negotiable instruments. • Describe laws protecting intellectual property including copyright, patents and trademarks. A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS 2 | BLAW2205 6 Compare the common law and statutory obligations in employment law, outlining the impact of human rights legislation upon employment and business operations. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome: • Distinguish between an employee and an independent contractor. • Restate the typical common law obligations owed by employers and employees. • Outline the statutory obligations affecting employment, including the minimum employment standards set by legislation. • Identify the protected areas and prohibited grounds of discrimination under human rights legislation, illustrating the duty to accommodate. • Outline the human rights complaint process. STUDENT EVALUATION OUTCOME ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION MARK DISTRIBUTION 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Assignments and graded assessments 20% 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Term assessment(s) 60% Final assessment 20% 5 and 6 TOTAL 100% COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS The minimum passing grade for this course is grade point of 1.0 (50% or D). Higher grades may be required to use the course for transfer credit or to satisfy professional designation criteria. Please refer to the Grades Procedure AD 2.2 for more details on your calculation requirements to determine the grading level required to maintain satisfactory academic standing, for progression and graduation. A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS 3 | BLAW2205 STUDENT EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES All JR Shaw School of Business students are required to possess a computing device, either a desktop or laptop, that will meet the minimum technology requirements. This will enable you to engage in our digital learning environment and to participate in online assessments. In addition to the minimum technology requirements, your computing device must also support both audio and video streaming technologies and, as a result, must include hardware (either internal or external) such as a microphone and webcam. A broadband (high speed) internet connection is also required. Your computing device must meet the following minimum technology requirements: Windows: • • • • • • • Windows 10 Processor: Intel i Series 4th Gen or Better or AMD Ryzen Series Memory: 4 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB RAM recommended Solid State Drive recommended or Hard Drive (minimum free space 15 GB) Display resolution: 1366 x 768 minimum, 1920 x 1080 recommended Wi-Fi connection: Wireless N, AC or better Antivirus Protection: Windows Defender and Windows Firewall are recommended to protect your device and are preinstalled on your Windows computer Apple: • Mac Hardware Requirements: MacBook (Late 2009 or newer) MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer) MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer) • MacOS High Sierra (10.13) or later • Memory: 4 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB recommended • Solid State Drive recommended or Hard Drive (minimum free space 15 GB) • Antivirus Protection: No additional software is needed. Built-in firewall and security software available in System Preferences Note: while tablets can support your learning, they are not recommended as a main device. DELIVERY METHOD This course will be taught using a variety of delivery methods which may include face-to-face, online, or blended teaching platforms. Collaborative exercises/assignments, seminars, labs, discussion, audio/visual presentations, case studies, and other such activities may be used to support learning. A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS 4 | BLAW2205 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY It is expected that students will be responsible citizens of the Institute by following the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy(SR 1.0). As such, each student will assist in the preservation of Institute property, and assume responsibility for their education by staying informed of and abiding by academic requirements and policies; demonstrating respect toward others; and meet expectations concerning attendance, assignments, deadlines, and appointments. EQUITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT NAIT is committed to advancing equity and to actively and intentionally creating learning environments that promote a sense of belonging and dignity that ensure all people are safe, respected and valued. Acknowledging that every member of the NAIT community has a role in and responsibility to this work, NAIT provides the resources and support necessary for programs, departments and individuals to champion equity, diversity and inclusion and address barriers in meaningful ways. TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT At NAIT, we honour and acknowledge that the land on which we learn, work and live is Treaty Six territory. We seek to learn from history and the lessons that have come before us, and to draw on the wisdom of the First Peoples in Canada. Only through learning can we move forward in truth and reconciliation, and to a better future together. Leadership Review Date: May 03, 2022 Changes to This Course Outline: Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this course outline is accurate at the time of publication. The Institute reserves the right to change courses if it becomes necessary so that course content remains relevant. In such cases, the instructor will give the students clear and timely notice of the changes. All Rights Reserved: No part of this course outline may be reproduced in any form or resold without written permission from NAIT. Copyright 2022. A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS 5 | BLAW2205
