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COMM 315
Business Law and Ethics
Section EC – Fall 2025
This syllabus is subject to change and any changes will be posted in the Announcements
section of your eConcordia portal.
Disclaimer: In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University's control,
the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.
About the Course
Special Note: The school term is 12 weeks long. The course
material is divided into 13 lessons. Lessons 3 & 4 are to be
read together in Week 3.
Instructor
The instructor for this course is Frank Crooks.
Contact Information
You can email the course professor at: comm315@econcordia.com. This email address allows
you to contact your Professor directly with any general inquiries.
Note: Please allow for a 24-hour response time during the week (Monday-Friday). Teaching
Assistants check their messages once over the 48-hour weekend period and are not available on
statutory or university holidays.
Course Description:
Through the study of laws, ethical principles and court judgments, this course will introduce
students to important legal and ethical issues that they may encounter within a business
organization.
In today’s environment of social awareness, business can no longer focus solely on maximizing
profits and must recognize and respect its legal and ethical obligations to a wide range of
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stakeholders, both within and outside of the business organization. These stakeholders include
employees, management, shareholders, directors, officers, the immediate community and society.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between law and ethics and how these
two principles should not be treated as mutually exclusive;
2. identify the appropriate steps to be followed in both the legal and ethical decision making
processes;
3. apply material learned in this course in order to analyze and propose solutions to legal and
ethical problems;
4. select effective solutions to legal and ethical issues that may be encountered within the
workplace.
Require Course Material:
Textbook: Fundamentals of Quebec Business Law and Ethics, 2nd Edition (2016), Paladin
Publications.
The textbook, in traditional paperback form, is available for purchase from the bookstore at
Concordia University (Book Stop). Students should consult the following website (see Delivery
Options / Store hours Pickup locations) to review the options offered by Book Stop to purchase
the textbook (curbside pickup, shipping to the student’s mailing address):
https://www.bkstr.com/concordiastore/help-faq/shipping-delivery-fms-canada
Course Website
This is an eConcordia
at www.econcordia.com
Moodle
course.
The
course
website
can
be
accessed
Your eConcordia account will be valid until the end of the term for which you are registered.
Your account will allow you to access the online course material, which includes videos, notes, all
graded course components, useful links, readings and many more resources from the course
website for the duration of the term.
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Assessments
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
The Code of Conduct (Academic) at Concordia University states that Academic integrity is key to
academic success at Concordia University. More specifically, “The integrity of University academic
life and of the degrees, diplomas and certificates the University confers is dependent upon the
honesty and soundness of the instructor student learning relationship and, in particular, that of the
evaluation process. Therefore, for their part, all students are expected to be honest in all of their
academic endeavours and relationships with the University.”
Undergraduate Calendar 2025-2026, section 17.10
(https://www.concordia.ca/academics/undergraduate/calendar/current/section-17-universitysecretariat/section-17-10-academic-integrity-and-the-academic-code-of-conduct.html)
All students enrolled at Concordia University are expected to familiarize themselves with the
contents of this Code. Any form of cheating, or plagiarism, as well as any other form of dishonest
behaviour, intentional or not, related to the obtention of gain, academic or otherwise, or the
interference in evaluative exercises committed by a student is an offence under this Academic
Code of Conduct. Any attempt at or participation related in any way to an offence by a student is
also an offence.
Without limiting, or restricting, the generality of the above and with the understanding that the
following are to be considered examples only, academic offences include but are not limited to,
the carrying out, or attempting to carry out or participating in:
• Making, possessing and/or distributing copies of any test questions and/or examination
materials;
• Plagiarism;
• Contribution by a student to another student’s work with the knowledge that such work may
be submitted by the other student as their own;
• Unauthorized collaboration between students and/or third parties;
• Obtaining the questions or answers to an exam or using other unauthorized resources;
• Use of another person’s exam during an exam;
• Communication with anyone other than the instructor/invigilator during an exam and any
unauthorized assistance during an exam;
• Copying, posting or sharing the exam content, including exam questions, or a student’s
answers, both during and after submission of an exam;
• Impersonation
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Graded Assessments
On-line Class Test #1
20%
On-line Class Test #2
20%
In Person Final Exam
60%
Description of Graded Assessments
On-line Tests:
On-line Tests:
Two (2) on-line tests will be given during the term. Both tests will be accessed and
answered by the students on the Assessment page of the eConcordia course website.
The first on-line test (Test 1) will cover Chapters 1, 2 & 3 of the Textbook (Lessons 1-4), will
consist of 30 multiple choice questions and will be worth 20% of the student’s final grade in the
course.
The second on-line test (Test 2) will cover Chapters 4 & 5 of the Textbook (Lessons 5-7), will
consist of 30 multiple choice questions and will be worth 20% of the student’s final grade in the
course.
Students will have 45 minutes to complete each of the on-line tests. There will be a 1 (one)
hour time window, the exact hours and dates are set out on the attached Course Agenda,
during which each on-line test will be available to the students for answering.
It is important to note that each student may only attempt to answer each test one time (repeat
attempts will not be permitted), and once a student starts a test, the student will only have
45 minutes to answer and submit the test.
Should a student start their test when there is less than 45 minutes remaining in the 1 (one) hour
time window, then the student must submit his/her test before the time window closes.
Regarding the two class tests:
1. The students will be allowed to consult their own copy of the textbook during the writing of the
two on-line tests, however they will not be permitted to consult any other notes, documents,
slides, or resources whatsoever. Students may not share a textbook during an exam.
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2. Communicating with classmates, or any other persons, regarding any aspect of the exam or
course, once a student begins an exam, is not permitted.
3. Copying, posting or sharing the exam content, including exam questions, or a student’s
answers, both during and after submission of an exam, is not permitted.
4. Students may not ask any questions to the instructor during the writing of any test/exam.
In-Person Final Exam
The end of term in-person final exam will cover Chapters 6, 7, 8 & 9 of the Textbook
(Lessons 8-13).
The final exam will consist of 80 multiple choice questions and will be worth 60% of the student’s
final grade in the course. The date and time of the final exam will be set by the Exams Office and
will occur after the last day of classes. Students will have two hours to complete the final exam.
Students will be notified of the date and time of the final exam accordingly.
Regarding the Final Exam:
1. Students will be allowed to consult their own officially published printed copy of the
textbook (no photocopies of textbook pages will be allowed at the final exam) during the
writing of the final exam, however they will not be permitted to consult any other notes,
documents, slides, or other resources whatsoever. Textbooks may be highlighted, and
words/passages may be underlined. Students may not annotate or write words,
characters, or other notations in the textbook.
2. Electronic versions of the textbook may not be used during the final exam.
3.Textbooks may not be shared among students during the writing of the final exam.
4. Communicating with classmates, or any other persons, regarding any aspect of the test/exam
or course, once a student begins a test/exam, is not permitted.
5. Students may not ask any questions to the instructor during the writing of any test/exam
All references to hours and dates that students receive from the instructor regarding midterm
and/or final exams will be based on the MONTREAL TIME ZONE (Eastern Time).
Review of exams by students during the Term:
The instructor will review exams in person with interested students, by appointment,
during office hours in the instructor’s office. Please be advised that due to issues of
Copyright law and the need to protect the confidential nature of all exam questions and
answers, the instructor will not display or discuss any exam questions/answers orally in
class or using electronic platforms such as YuJa or ZOOM.
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ASSIGNMENTS MISSED FOR MEDICAL REASONS:
No make-up tests will be granted except for serious medical reasons supported by original,
detailed, dated and signed medical documentation. Medical documentation must clearly indicate
the date and the reasons why the student’s condition rendered them incapable of writing the test in
question. No make-up test will be granted, unless notification of their inability to write the test is
given by the student to the instructor by email at the earliest possible opportunity. Except for
emergencies, this notification must be done prior to the test in question.
Subject to the provisions set out in the COVID-19 SYMPTOMS section of this outline, students
who do not provide appropriate medical documentation, as set out above, will receive a grade of
zero for the test that they did not write.
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
Please note: if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should contact Quebec Public
Health (1-877-644-4545) and follow their instructions. You are also required to consult
the Procedure for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and complete the Self-Isolation form
under the My CU Account section the Student Hub (for students) or Carrefour (for faculty and
staff). Students who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not come to campus.
Students who need to signal to their professors a short-term absence of up to two
consecutive days should consult the Short-Term Absence form (housed on the Student Hub),
which provides information regarding requests for short-term medical accommodation without
documentation like a medical note.
Should a student fail to write a class test for any reason, including medical reasons or Short-Term
Absence, then the instructor shall decide whether to allocate said missing marks to another test
that the student will write, or to require the student to write a supplemental class test. Should a
student fail to write the final exam for any reason, including medical reasons, then the student will
receive a grade of FNS/DNW in the course. The student will be required to contact the Exams
Office directly and to comply with the Exams Office policies regarding the possibility of writing a
deferred final exam in a subsequent school term.
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Tutorial Companies
Please note that private tutorial companies, some of whom aggressively promote their services
on and off campus, are not authorized by Concordia University to distribute flyers on University
premises and may not use Concordia University facilities to promote or provide their services.
Concordia University and its academic departments do not have any affiliation with these
companies even though names such as JMSB, Concordia, or references to specific departments
often appear in a visible way. If you are interested in the University’s approved tutoring services,
consult the services listed in your course outline or other services listed on the University’s
website.
Important Information
Topic
Link
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity
Educational Technology Guidelines
Concordia Educational
Technology Guidelines for
Faculty and Students (the
“Guidelines”)
Access Centre for Students with Disabilities
ACSD
Concordia Library Citation & Style Guides
How to cite...
Course Communication Tools
Communication
eConcordia Policies
Policies
Final Exams Information
Final Exams
Helpdesk/Support
FAQ
Refunds
Refunds
Technical Requirements
Technical Requirements
Tips for Studying Online
Studying Tips
Tips on how to reach online learning goals (learning
modules)
How to Succeed @ eConcordia
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COMM 315 - Business Law and Ethics
Agenda – Fall 2025
All deadlines indicated are on the due date listed by 11:59 p.m. unless otherwise
indicated.
This course is 12 weeks long and consists of 13 lessons.
Week 1: September 1 - September 7
Lesson 1: Introduction to Law and the Quebec Legal System
September 01 Labour Day, university closed
September 02 Classes begin
Week 2: September 8 - September 14
Lesson 2: Personal Rights (Part 1)
Week 3: September 15 - September 21
Lesson 3: Personal Rights (Part 2), Lesson 4: Personal Rights - Cases
September 15 Deadline to add fall-term courses
September 15 Deadline for withdrawal with tuition refund (DNE) from fall-term courses
Week 4: September 22 - September 28
Lesson 5: Principles of Contract Law
September 22
Q & A Session, Monday, September 22, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Zoom meeting ID: 863 4524 9615 Password: 754518
Week 5: September 29 - October 5
Lesson 6: Principles of Contract Law - Cases
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September 28
Class Test #1 (covers Lessons 1- 4)
Sunday September 28 2025, 6:00PM to 7:00PM
Week 6: October 6 - October 12
Lesson 7: Mandate
October 11
Reading week begins
Mid-term break: October 13 - October 19
October 13
Thanksgiving Day, university closed
October 17
Last day to submit required documentation to register with the Access Centre for Students
with Disabilities and request exam accommodations for the fall 2025 final examination
period
October 17
Reading week ends
Week 7: October 20 - October 26
Lesson 8: Introduction to Forms of Business Ownership
Week 8: October 27 - November 2
Lesson 9: Employment Law (Part 1)
October 27
Q & A Session on Monday, October 27, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Zoom meeting ID: 863 4524 9615 Password: 754518
November 2
Class Test #2 (covers Lessons 5-7)
Sunday, November 2, 2025, 6:00PM to 7:00PM
Week 9: November 3 - November 9
Lesson 10: Employment Law (Part 2)
Week 10: November 10 - November 16
Lesson 11: Employment Law – Cases
Week 11: November 17 - November 23
Lesson 12: Civil Responsibility
Week 12: November 24 - November 30
Lesson 13: Ethics
November 24
Last day for instructor-scheduled tests or examinations
December 1
Last day of classes, Fall term
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December 1
Final Exam Review Session on Monday, December 1, 2025 @ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Zoom meeting ID: 863 4524 9615 Password: 754518
Examinations Period: December 3 - December 18
Final Exam date, time and location is posted on your Student Hub
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