GBU 451: Business Law I and Ethics
SYLLABUS
Instructor:
Eddie Martinez, J.D.
Office Hours: By Appointment
Phone:
601-291-5903 (Cell)
Email:
martinez@mc.edu
Credit:
3 semester hours
Prerequisites: Junior Standing
Course Description: A study of domestic and international law. Topics include property law,
contracts, administrative law, constitutional issues, and ethics.
Rationale for Course: Business Law I is a core course in the School of Business which gives
the student an overview of the fundamental concepts, principles, and rules of law and ethics that
apply to business transactions. The course provides exposure to business law principles through
numerous examples and problems. The application of ethical principles in a business setting is
an essential and critical skill for a business manager. The student will be reminded throughout
the course of how various ethical principles apply in a business context.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
* have an appreciation of the scope, extent, and importance of the law and ethics to everyday
business decisions; recognize ethical issues that arise only in the workplace and how best to
resolve those issues
* be able to recognize the potential legal problems that may arise in a doubtful or complicated
situation and the necessity of consulting a lawyer and obtaining competent professional advice.
* have a basic knowledge of the fundamental concepts, principles, and rules of law and ethics
that apply to business transactions
* have a basic knowledge of the function and operation of courts and governmental
administrative agencies
Text: Essentials of Business Law and the Legal Environment, Mann and Roberts, 11th Edition,
South-Western Cengage Learning.
Student Responsibilities:
·
Come to class prepared. That is, read the assigned material. During class, each student is
expected to be prepared to discuss assigned material if called upon to do so.
·
Complete assignments –quizzes, homework and tests ON TIME. LATE
ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
TO FIND OUT ABOUT ANY ASSIGNMENTS MISSED BECAUSE OF AN
ABSENCE AND TO TURN THEM IN ON TIME.
·
If you are having difficulties with the material, come to see me as early as possible during
the semester. I am available to you for any questions and for help.
RULES FOR CLASS
1.
Make every effort to attend class and be on time.
2.
No food or drink in classroom.
3.
Proper conduct in class is expected which includes participation.
4.
Do not talk with your classmates while I am lecturing.
The purpose of these rules is to avoid any type of distraction in the classroom. I have these
rules because of complaints from students that they were distracted because other students
engaged in the above activities.
All students are on notice that they are responsible for all policies, procedures and
regulations listed in the current Mississippi College Undergraduate Bulletin. These include
and are not limited to the following policies and procedures:
Dress Code: Please refer to the Mississippi College Undergraduate Bulletin for guidance.
Change in Syllabus: This Syllabus is subject to change at the Instructor’s discretion, depending on
circumstances that evolve in the course.
Attendance: Do NOT miss class. Each student should make every effort to attend class and BE ON
TIME. Good class attendance will help you in a situation where you are on a borderline between
grades. For example, if you have an 89 average and you have perfect attendance, then I will give you
an A for the course since you have had good attendance. On the other hand, if you have an 89
average and average or poor attendance, then I will give the grade as it is and give you a B. If a
student is absent, he/she is responsible for missed assignments. You are encouraged to attend every
class because missing classes usually results in less understanding of the course material covered.
Please refer to the Mississippi College Undergraduate Bulletin for the policies on attendance
regulations. Excessive absences will be detrimental to your grade. Please note that you cannot have
more than 3 absences in this class and pass the course, regardless of your grade at that time.
Academic Integrity: Mississippi College students are expected to be scrupulously honest.
Dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe
penalty including, but not limited to, loss of credit and possible dismissal. See the Mississippi
College Undergraduate Bulletin for specific information. Please also feel free to raise ethical
questions of student or faculty behavior in the classroom, or I will gladly speak to you on a
confidential basis.
Class Drop Date: Please refer to the Mississippi College Undergraduate Bulletin regarding the last
day to drop a class. Students cannot withdraw after that date with a W (passing) unless the following
three criteria are met: (1) extenuating circumstances that are clearly outside the student’s control; (2)
the student is passing the course at the time of withdrawal; and (3) the student does not have
excessive absences at the time of withdrawal.
Course Material: We will plan on covering the text book materials this semester as designated in
the class syllabus. We will also review several outside sources related to the subjects in question.
Assignments/Participation: Reading assignments will be given for each class period. Classes will
consist of lectures and discussion of the subject matter. Participation in class discussions is
encouraged.
Grades/Exams: Letter grades in this course are assigned as follows:
A..............91-100
B................81-90
C................71-80
D................61-70
F…......Below 61
Tests: There will be three (3) major tests in the course each of equal weight. To determine your
grade, combine the test scores and divide by three. Additional bonus points may be granted, at
my discretion, from pop quizzes, homework, and outside assignments. The tests may involve
true/false and multiple choice. Most of the test questions will come out of the material we cover
in class. It is important that you attend class and review the material in the textbook PRIOR to
class. It is important that students take the major tests on the date assigned.
Make-up Test Policy: If a student misses a test, the make-up test may be provided, at my
discretion, subject only to a valid excuse for missing the test in the first place. If illness is
indicated, a doctor’s note will be required. Such makeup, if approved, will be completed within
one week of the missed test. This make-up may be subject to a10-point deduction if a medical
excuse is not involved.
Topics To Be Covered:
Part I: Introduction to Law
Chapter 1:
Introduction to Law
Chapter 2:
Business Ethics
Part II: The Legal Environment of Business
Chapter 3:
Civil Dispute Resolution
Chapter 4:
Constitutional Law
Chapter 5:
Administrative Law
Chapter 6:
Criminal Law
Chapter 7:
Intentional Torts
Chapter 8:
Negligence and Strict Liability
First test – closed book
Part III: Contracts
Chapter 9:
Introduction to Contracts
Chapter 10: Mutual Assent
Chapter 11: Conduct Invalidating Assent
Chapter 12: Consideration
Chapter 13: Illegal Bargains
Chapter 14: Contractual Capacity
Chapter 15: Contracts in Writing
Chapter 16: Third Parties to Contracts
Chapter 17: Performance, Breach, and Discharge
Second test – closed book
Part IV: Sales
Chapter 19: Introduction to Sales
Chapter 21: Transfer of Title and Risk of Loss
Chapter 22: Products Liability: Warranties and Strict Liability
Part V: Negotiable Instruments
Chapter 24: Form and Consent
Chapter 25: Transfer
Chapter 26: Holder of Due Course
Third test – closed book