Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name: STEM & Business
Course Prefix and number: BUSN 210
Course Title: Legal Environment of Business
DATE PREPARED: January 16, 1996
DATE REVIEWED:
DATE REVISED: April 10, 2009, November 16, 2009, April 22, 2013
PCS/CIP/ID NO.: 1.1-520101
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: Fall 2013
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: BUSN 110 or permission of instructor. This course provides students with
fundamental knowledge concerning a series of critical legal and regulatory issues that affect
business. The following areas of law will be the major focus of the course: governmental
regulation of business, securities law, contract law, common law, international law, consumer
protection law, employment law, and environmental law.
Within the framework of professionalism, ethical decision-making, technology, and
responsibility; students will discuss the global, economic, social and political environments
impacting business.
TEXTBOOK(S):
Bixby, M., Beck-Dudley, C. and Cihon, P.J. (2011) The Legal Environment of Business (5th
Edition). Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing, or a comparable text that addresses at a
minimum the topics listed in the Course Outline and that provides students with the opportunity
to achieve the learning outcomes for this course.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
BUSN 210 Legal Environment of Business fulfills 3 semester hours of elective credit for the
A.A. and A.S. degrees. It should transfer to most colleges and universities as an elective course.
However, since this course is not part of either the General Education Core Curriculum or a
baccalaureate major program described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, students should
check with an academic advisor for information about its transferability to other institutions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes): Upon completion of this course the student
will be able to:
Outcomes
1. Identify the sources of law in the
United States.
2. Compare and contrast ethical
considerations with legal
requirements.
3. Identify important legal issues in
Securities Law.
4. Discuss key issues in Tort Law.
5. Outline the principles of contract
law.
6. Debate important issues in
Environmental Law.
7. Discuss global business issues
relating to Intellectual Property
Law.
8. Compare legal issues relating to
Consumer Protection.
9. Discuss compliance requirements in
Employment Law.
General Range of Assessment Methods
Education
Outcomes
Writing assignments, exams,
presentations, discussions, quizzes
CT 2
Writing assignments, exams,
DI 3
presentations, discussions, quizzes
PS 3
Writing assignments, exams,
presentations, discussions, quizzes
CO1
Writing assignments, exams,
CT2
presentations, discussions, quizzes
Writing assignments, exams,
presentations, discussions, quizzes
CT 2
Writing assignments,
presentations, discussions
DI 2
Writing assignments, exams,
DI 3
presentations, discussions, quizzes
DI 4
CO1
CT1
Writing assignments, exams,
presentations, discussions, quizzes
CO1
Writing assignments, exams,
presentations, discussions, quizzes
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Legal System in the United States
International Law
Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
Securities Law
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Contract Law
Tort Law
Legal Issues Involving Consumer Protection
Employer/Employee Legal Issues
Environmental Law
Intellectual Property Law
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
The final grade in this course will be determined by the total points earned through completion of
selected activities from the following:
Minimum – Maximum
Writing Assignments
Exams
Participation and/or Discussions
Quizzes
Presentations
25% - 50%
20% - 50%
20% - 30%
10% - 20%
0% - 30%
Letter grades will be based on the percentage of points earned in the course in accordance with
following scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90% - 100%
80% - 89%
70% - 79%
60% - 69%
0% - 59%
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Students are assigned approximately 40 pages of reading each week*. Reading comes from the
textbook, articles, and reference materials as indicated in the Course Calendar. A minimum of
ten pages of college level writing is required in this course. All written assignments are designed
to enhance the student’s writing skills and critical thinking skills by analyzing concepts
discussed in the course.
*estimate is based on a 16 week course schedule. Please note if your class is not a 16 week class
your weekly reading assignment will be increased.