Course Syllabus
BUSG 2305 (3:3:0)
BUSINESS LAW and CONTRACTS
General Business
Business Administration Department
Technical Education Division
Levelland Campus
South Plains College
FALL 2015
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Instructor:
Richard W. Darnell, J.D.
Office:
Technology Center 104D
Telephone:
806-716-2244
Email:
RDarnell@southplainscollege.edu
Office Hours:
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday
SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE
Improves Each Student’s Life
Text Book:
Business Law Today, Text & Summarized Cases
10th Edition
By Roger LeRoy Miller
General Information
The Business Law and Contracts Course is a study of the principles of law, which
form the legal framework for all business activity and includes applicable constitutions,
statutes, contracts, uniform laws, ethics and administrative agencies.
You, the student, will learn fundamental legal terminology regarding ethics,
contracts, torts, property, wills and trusts and The Constitution of the United States.
You learn to differentiate business ethics and legal issues and their significance. In
addition, you will also learn to identify and explain those required elements of torts,
contracts, and consumer laws as applied to business and individuals.
I.
Course Competency: A minimum grade of “D” is required for
completion of this course. A minimum grade of “C” is required for transfer credit
to most four-year universities.
II.
Academic Integrity: The South Plains College Faculty aim to foster a
spirit of complete honesty (transparency) and a high moral standard of integrity.
Any student attempting to present as their own work that which they did not
personally perform, is recognized by the faculty and administration as a serious
offense. The offender will be subject to serious consequences which may include
suspension or expulsion.
a. Cheating: Dishonesty of any kind on exams or written assignments is
cheating. Using unauthorized notes during an exam, obtaining
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information from a textbook or from the examination paper of another
student is cheating. Assisting others to cheat or altering grade records
is cheating. Any illegal entry or unauthorized presence in an office is
cheating. Complete honesty is expected (therefore required) of each
student in the presentation of any and all aspects of course work. The
standard is complete honesty whether it is for quizzes, daily
assignments, term papers, discussions, group project or exams.
b. Plagiarism: Offering the work of other’s as your own is plagiarism,
unless you have authorization and/or proper acknowledgment of the
other person (e.g., footnote reference to author). Therefore, any
student who fails to give credit for quotations or essentially an identical
expression of material taken from books, encyclopedias, magazines
and other similar source commits plagiarism. Your fellow students’
reports, themes, or other writings you use without proper identification
and authorization from the other student is plagiarism.
c. Dishonesty: Dishonesty of any form will be dealt with as near the
time of the occurrence as is possible. Consequences will be
determined according to and consistent with the rules, regulations, and
policies of the South Plains College. NOTE: Dishonesty in any form
may result in immediate dismissal from this class and a final
class grade of “F.”
III.
Specific Course Textbook:
Business Law Today: The Essentials, 10th Edition, © 2014, 2011 Cengage
Learning. All Rights Reserved. Library of Congress Control number:
2012952003; Student Edition: ISBN 13:978-1-133-19135-3; ISBN 10: 1-13319135-5; South-Western Cengage Learning, 5191 Natorp Blvd., Mason, OH
45040 USA (more supplies may be required as the semester proceeds). See
page 31 “Before The Test” for instructions to effectively use the following URL.
http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/search/9781133191353
IV.
Student Personal Information:
Please send me an email in Blackboard with the subject line “Introduction” with
the following:
(1) Your name;
(2) Your major area(s) of study;
(3) State whether you are working toward an associate degree and whether or
not you have the intent of transferring to a 4-year university to complete a
degree in – state your field(s) of study(ies) if known;
(4) Current phone number(s) for this semester;
(5) Your other email address that is different from your SPC email;
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(6) Colleges or universities you currently are or previously have attended;
(7) Personal background: work experience; current employment, if any, with
work hours per week; other courses you are currently enrolled;
(8) Please provide any additional information you are willing to share with me
about yourself or family.
V.
Attendance Policy: Each student is expected to attend each and every class.
Each student is expected to be punctual and seated before class time begins.
Entering class late is disruptive. Therefore, any tardiness that occurs after
attendance has been taken, without a reason for delay, acceptable to the
instructor, will be counted as an absence.
VI.
Absences: Whenever absences become excessive and, in the instructor’s
discretionary opinion, minimum course objectives cannot be met due to
absences, the student should be withdrawn from the course. A student who
stops attending class must take the responsibility of contacting the Registrar’s
Office to drop the class no later than two weeks from the first absence. If the
student fails to do this, the instructor will administratively withdraw the student
after two weeks of absences (consecutive or not) with a grade of “F”. Students
will be counted absent for an entire class period (after one warning) for any one
of the following: texting during class, failing to turn the cell phone off; making a
phone call during class; sleeping during class; excessive tardiness (defined as
the next one after the 2nd); or, leaving class early.
VII.
Assignment Policy: Unavoidable absences, such as illness, official authorized
college travel or activity, the instructor may, at his discretion, permit the student
to make up the work missed. In such event, it is the student’s responsibility to
complete the missed work within the time allowed by the instructor. Students
are responsible for all class work and notes covered during their absence from
class. There are no exceptions. When absent, it is the student’s responsibility
to contact a fellow student and request assignment information, class notes and
the like.
VIII.
Class Lectures, Discussions and Assignments: The daily assignments are
planned to give you the guidance to acquaint yourself with the material of the
textbook. Be aware! The class time will not cover all the detail of the textbook.
You must read and understand the contents of the textbook to achieve greater
understanding of the course material. Therefore, it is imperative that each
student spend enough time outside class reading, studying and learning the
material. When you have questions, please ask them in class or come to my
office for discussion. In short, YOU are responsible for the knowledge gained
and level of understanding achieved during your college experience. There are
NO foolish questions.
IX.
Grading and Evaluation Policy: There will be four major exams and a final.
The compilation of the final class grade will consist of the Final exam weighted
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by 25% and then averaged with the remaining four exams. If a student fails to
take the final exam, their final grade will then average a “0” for the final with the
other exams and, in addition, lower their grade by one letter grade. Do not miss
the final exam.
X.
Grading scale: Your final grade is determined on the following scale:
90-100
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
Below 60
F
NOTICE: The Teaching and Learning Center on the third floor of the library provides
students free tutoring and study skills information. Telephone 894-9611 extension 2241
for assistance. There is something of value to learn when you take advantage of these
special services provided. Remember, learn from the mistakes of others because you
cannot live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself.
XI.
Assignments and Quizzes: These will be averaged and applied as 25% of the
total final grade. Therefore, combining the assignments and quizzes will
constitute one-fourth of the final grade. Assignments may be made up (turned in
late) depending on the actual reason for failure to accomplish by the deadline.
There are no make-ups for quizzes. (Note: each assignment will have sufficient
particulars and deadlines to clearly establish them.)
XII.
Class Participation: Participation is vital to your overall academic growth and
enhances understanding. Therefore, your participation shall constitute not less
than 10% nor more than 25% of your final grade either by increasing or
decreasing your letter grade. In other words, you will not lose more than 10%
nor gain more than 25%, at my discretion, for your class participation.
Participation is defined as asking questions, engaging in discussions, debates or
group activity assigned. It is not possible to over emphasize the importance of
class participation. We cannot learn within a vacuum. There are no foolish
questions. There are no dumb questions. Please never hesitate to ask them.
XIII.
Classroom Requirements: Students are expected to be in the classroom
ready for class to begin at its scheduled time. Cell phones, laptops, tablets or
other electronic devices are to be turned off and put away for the full classroom
scheduled time. If there is an imperative need for an exception, please request
the instructors permission or the item will be confiscated.
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XIV.
COURSE OUTLINE SUMMARY:
Week
1
2
3
4
5&6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Subjects, Topics, or Chapter Segments
U. S. Constitutional Foundation and Enactment
State Constitutions and Sources of American Law
Articles and Amendments of the U. S. Constitution
Introduction to and practice of Briefing Case Law
Ethics and Business Decision Making
Consequences of Transgressions of Ethics For Businesses
and Business Owners
Courts and Alternative Dispute Resolution
State and Federal Court Systems
Adapting the Law to the Online Environment
Torts and Cyber Torts
Intentional Torts against people or property
Unintentional Torts – Landmark Case page 119
Strict Liability. Overall importance of Tort law in Business
EXAM 1
Intellectual Property
Internet Law
Trademarks
Cyber Marks, Patents, Copyrights, Trade Secrets
Criminal Law and Cyber Crime
EXAM 2
Overview of the Law of Contracts
Agreement and Consideration in Contracts
Capacity, Legality, and Enforceability
Contract Performance, Breach, and Remedies
Sales and Lease Contracts
Performance and Breach In Sales and Lease Contracts
Warranties, Product Liability, and Consumer Law
Negotiable Instruments
Checks and Banking in the Digital Age
EXAM 3
The Entrepreneur’s Options
Business Organization – Corporations, Limited Liability Co.,
Partnerships, and Sole Proprietorships
Investor Protection, Insider Trading, and Corporate
Governance
Antitrust Law and Promoting Competition
Personal Property, Bailments, and Insurance
Real Property and Environmental Law
International Law in a Global Economy
EXAM 4
Finals Week: Final Exam
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XV. Accommodations and Equal Opportunity: South Plains College
accommodates individual needs of all students in order to enhance their opportunities
for success in the context of a comprehensive community college setting. South Plains
College offers all educational and employment opportunities without regard to race,
color, national origin, religion, gender, disability or age. In this class, the instructor will
establish and support an environment that values and nurtures individual experiences
while encouraging engagement and interaction. By promoting diversity and intellectual
exchange, we will model society as it should and can be.
XVI.
DISABILITIES STATEMENT: Students with disabilities, including but not limited
to physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request
accommodations in this class should notify the Disability Services Office early in
the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance
with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable
documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Services Office. For more
information, call or visit the Disability Services Office at Levelland (Student
Health & Wellness Office) 806-716-2577, Reese Center (Building 8) 806-7164675, or Plainview Center (Main Office) 806-716-4302 or 806-296-9611.
XVII.
XVIII. Special Services: Arrangements will be made for those students with
disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric, or learning
disabilities. Students may notify the Disability Services Office early in the
semester so that appropriate accommodations may be made. Federal Law
requires that such requests must be accompanied with acceptable
documentation of the disability to the Disability Services Office. More
information is available at Student Services (806) 716-2577.
XIX.
Electronic Assignments: This class will use the internet, some discussion
groups, forums, bulletin boards, email, blackboard program and the like in order
to complete the objectives of this class. Each assignment is relevant to the
objectives of this course.
XX.
Disclaimer: This is your notice that information and materials you access in
unofficial chat rooms, bulletin boards or web pages are NOT officially sponsored
by South Plains College. We acknowledge and affirm the rights of free speech
for each and every student as protected by the United States Constitution.
Therefore, when you use any unauthorized or unofficial medium you are
accepting any consequences that may result. We disclaim all liability for data,
information or opinions expressed in any such unofficial or unauthorized forums
or mediums.
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XXI.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
September 7
 Labor Day Holiday
September 9
 12th Day of Class – Census Day
September 14
 Certified Class Rosters Due 9 a.m.
 Last Day 70% Refund
September 21
 Last Day 25% Refund
October 9
 Fall Break
November 3
 December 2015 Graduation Application Due
November 12
 Online Registration Opens at 8 a.m.
November 18
 Last Day to Drop Fall 2015 Courses
November 25
 Residence Halls Close for Thanksgiving Holidays at 9 a.m.
November 25-27
 Thanksgiving Break
November 29
 Residence Halls Open at 1 p.m.
November 30
 Classes Resume
December 7 – 10
 Fall 2015 Finals Week
December 10
 Last Class Day
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December 11
 Residence Halls Close for Holiday Break at 9 a.m.
 Final Grades and Gradebooks Due by 10:00 a.m.
December 14 – January 1
 Holiday Break – Administrative Offices Closed
Business Law and Contracts for the Fall 2015 semester will be completed by the
last day of class. It is a daily privilege and pleasure for me to serve you in
sharing knowledge and understanding of our great country's laws.
May your ethics and business acumen be enhanced and strengthened by this
course experience. Remember, each of you are unique, awesome, and dynamic,
may you have only the best as you continue your life's journey.
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