Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 1: Ethics and the Law
Duration: 5 days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
A.
A Examine
Foundations of
Law
Resources
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Assessments
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
Part A
1.
Explain different ways ethical decisions are made
2.
Compare and contrast ethics, morals, and law.
3.
Explain why we have laws.
4.
Describe the relationship between common law and today’s law.
5.
Explain sources of law
6.
Explain the use of the Constitution and Bill of Rights as sources of law.
7.
Match regulatory agencies with their responsibilities
8.
Explain how government administrative agencies create regulations
9.
Describe rights and responsibilities of citizens
10.
Compare and contrast the American Legal system with systems in other counties
11.
Identify career opportunities in the legal profession.
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages 1-4, 8
Video and exercise for Amendments 1-27
1.
Explain how ethical decisions are made.
2.
How can the greatest good principle lead to ethical decisions?
3.
How can the golden rule principle lead to ethical decisions?
4.
What are four ethical character traits?
5.
How is law related to ethics?
6.
Why is law important?
7.
How might ethics and law conflict?
8.
What are the various parts of the U.S. Constitution?
9.
What are the components of common law?
10.
What are the purposes of statutory law?
11.
How to the courts make law?
12.
How does the government make administrative regulations?
Why is it important to be able to distinguish between actions that are ethical and actions that are not?
Why is it important to be able to distinguish between ethics and law?
Why is it important to be able to distinguish between U.S. Constitution and statutory law?
Chapter 1 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 2: The Court System
Duration: 4 Days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
B. Explore the
Court Systems
C. Describe Trial
Procedures
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Assessments
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
Part B and Part C
1.
Compare & contrast federal, state, & location court systems
2.
Define the concept of jurisdiction.
3.
Explain how jurisdiction applies to the court system.
4.
Compare the role of juvenile court with the role of other courts
1.
State an individual’s rights if arrested
2.
List the steps in a criminal trial procedure
3.
List the steps in a civil trial procedure
4.
Explain the rights and responsibilities of the parties in a trial.
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages 9-12, 14 & 16
Movie: 12 Angry Men and worksheet
1.
What are the differences among original jurisdiction, appellate jurisdiction, limited jurisdiction, and general jurisdiction?
2.
How are the federal courts structured?
3.
What is the role of the US Supreme Court?
4.
How are most courts structured?
5.
Explain the differences among unruly, delinquent, and abused or neglected juveniles
6.
What are some alternative to litigation?
7.
What is the difference between a civil case and a criminal case?
8.
What are the steps in a civil case?
9.
What rights to people have when they are arrested?
10.
What are the steps in a criminal prosecution?
11.
How do the courts treat juvenile cases?
Why is it important to be able to distinguish among unruly, delinquent, and abused or neglected juveniles?
Why is it important to know your Constitutional rights when you are arrested?
Chapter 2 Quiz
12 Angry Men Worksheet

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 3: Criminal Law
Duration: 4 Days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
D: Investigate
Criminal Law
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Assessments
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
Part D
1.
Classify crimes against people, property, government, business, and society.
2.
Differentiate between a misdemeanor and a felony
3.
Describe elements of a crime
4.
Explain defenses available to criminal defendants
5.
Describe punishments associated with crimes
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages 9-12, 14 & 16
Parts of the movie A Few Good Men though out the week
Discuss and correct the workbook exercises
1.
What determines the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
2.
How does state and federal criminal law differ?
3.
What are the elements of a crime?
4.
What are the major criminal law defenses?
5.
What are the major crimes committed against people?
6.
What are the major crimes committed against property?
7.
What are the major crimes that involve controlled substances?
8.
How have the states dealt with computer crime?
Why is it crucial to understand the different defenses to criminal liability?
Which of the methods adopted by states to deal with computer crime do you feel is most effective?
Chapter 3 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 4: The Law of Torts
Duration: 3 Days
Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
E Explore Tort Law
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Assessments
Part E
1.
Distinguish between a tort and a crime
2.
Describe elements of a tort.
3.
Explain types of torts.
4.
Compare and contrast negligence, strict liability, and intentional torts
5.
Describe remedies available in tort law
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
1.
What is the difference between a crime and a tort?
2.
What concept is the heart of tort law?
3.
How can a tort be committed?
4.
What are the most common intentional torts?
5.
What is negligence?
6.
What are the elements of negligence?
7.
What are the major defenses to negligence?
8.
What is strict liability?
If a criminal law is responsible for dealing with individuals who commit wrongful acts, what purpose does tort law serve?
Why do you need to understand the different intentional torts?
Which defense to negligence do you feel is the most effective?
Chapter 4 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 5: How Contracts Arise
Duration: 3 Days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
F Examine
Contract Law
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
Part F
1.
Describe the elements required for a valid contract
2.
Explain the nature and importance of a contract
3.
Differentiate among classes of contracts (e.g., bilateral, unilateral, express, implied, written, oral)
4.
Explain the effects of a breach of contract
5.
Explain how offer and acceptance can create contractual rights and duties
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
1.
What are the elements of a contract?
2.
What are the differences among valid, void, voidable, and unenforceable contracts?
3.
What are the differences between express and implied contracts?
4.
What are the differences between unilateral and bilateral contracts?
5.
What are the differences between oral and written contracts?
6.
What are the requirements of an offer?
7.
What is the difference between an offer and an invitation to negotiate?
8.
What are the requirements of acceptance?
9.
What is the difference between and acceptance and a counteroffer?
10.
When is an offer terminated?
How did the Industrial Revolution change the court’s attitude toward interpreting contract law?
Why is it important to be3 able to distinguish between an offer and in invitation to negotiate?
Chapter 5 Quiz Assessments

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 6: Genuine Agreement
Duration: 3 Days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
F Examine
Contract Law
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Assessment
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
Part F
1.
Explain situations in which contract can be avoided
2.
How to identify the elements of fraud
3.
How to distinguish between fraud and concealment
4.
How to distinguish between fraud and innocent misrepresentation
5.
How to distinguish between the remedy available form fraud and the remedy available for misrepresentation
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
1.
What are the elements of fraud?
2.
What is the difference between fraud and concealment?
3.
What is the difference between fraud and misrepresentation?
4.
What is the difference between the remedy available for fraud and the remedy available for misrepresentation?
5.
What is the difference between unilateral and bilateral mistake?
6.
What types of mistake will allow rescission of a contract?
7.
What are the requirements of economic duress?
8.
What are the requirements of undue influence?
Why do courts permit fraud to disrupt genuine agreement in a contractual setting?
Why is it important to be able to distinguish between unilateral and bilateral mistake?
Chapter 6 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 7: Capacity to Contract
Duration: 4 Days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
F Examine
Contract Law
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Assessments
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
Part F
1.
How to explain the legal concept of minority
2.
How to identify the rights of minors in relation to contracts
3.
How to identify contract that are voidable by a minor
4.
How a person can ratify a contract made in minority
5.
How to identify others, beside minors, who can rescind contracts
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
Tucker – movie and worksheet
1.
What does it mean to be the age of minority?
2.
What are the rights of a minor who has entered into a contract?
3.
How does a person ratify the contract they entered into as a minor?
4.
Who else can void or avoid their contracts?
Chapter 7 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 8: Consideration
Duration: 3 Days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Assessments
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
1.
How to explain the concept of consideration
2.
How to explain the types of consideration
3.
How to identify certain problems regarding consideration
4.
How to identify the principles that apply to consideration in everyday life
5.
How to identify agreements that are enforceable without consideration
6.
How to explain the legal concept of promissory estoppel
7.
How to identify agreement that are not enforceable
8.
How to distinguish between past consideration and preexisting duties
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
1.
What is consideration?
2.
What are the types of consideration?
3.
What problems can arise regarding consideration?
4.
What are the principles that apply to consideration in everyday life?
5.
What agreements are enforceable without consideration?
6.
What is the legal doctrine of promissory estoppel?
7.
What agreements are not enforceable without consideration?
8.
What is the difference between past consideration and preexisting duties?
Why do the courts usually refuse to get involved in disputes over the adequacy of consideration
Why does the law support the doctrine of promissory estoppel?
Chapter 8 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 9: Legality
Duration: 3 Days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activity
Assessment
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
1.
How to explain what makes a contract illegal
2.
How to identify the consequences of illegality in relation to contract law
3.
How to identify contract that are illegal by statutory law
4.
How to identify different types of licenses
5.
How to explain the legal doctrine of public policy
6.
How to identify agreements that are contrary to public policy
7.
How to identify contracts that involve an unreasonable restraint of trade
8.
How to explain the nature of a restrictive covenant
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
1.
What makes a contract illegal?
2.
What are the consequences of illegality in relation to contract law?
3.
What contracts are illegal by statutory law?
4.
What are the different types of licenses?
5.
What is the legal doctrine of public policy?
6.
What contracts are considered to be contrary to public policy?
7.
What types of contract involve an unreasonable restraint of trade?
8.
What is a restrictive covenant?
Why does the law usually refuse to uphold illegal contracts?
What is the legal philosophy behind public policy?
Chapter 9 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 10: Form of a Contract
Duration: 3 Days
Monday
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activities
Assessments
Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Thursday Friday
1.
How to explain the purpose of the Statute of Frauds
2.
How to explain the legal status of a contract that is not in writing
3.
How to identify the elements that must be included in a written contract
4.
How to deal with contradictory and ambiguous terms in a written contract
5.
How to identify which contracts must be in writing
6.
How to explain the parol evidence rule
7.
How to identify the exceptions to the parol evidence rule
8.
How to explain the best evidence rule
9.
How to change a contractual writing
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
1.
What is the purpose of the Statute of Frauds?
2.
What is the legal status of a contract that is not in writing?
3.
What are the elements that must be included in a written contract?
4.
How are contradictory and ambiguous terms in a written agreement interpreted by a court?
5.
What contracts must be in writing?
6.
What is the parol evidence rule?
7.
What are the exceptions to the parol evidence rule?
8.
What is the best evidence rule?
9.
What rules govern the changes in a written contract?
Does a written contract have to be a formal document to satisfy the requirements of Statute of Frauds?
What is the legal philosophy behind the parol evidence rule?
Chapter 10 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 11: How Contract Come to an End
Duration: 4 Days
Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activities
Assessments
Thursday Friday
1.
How to identify when time is important in a contract
2.
How to distinguish between satisfactory and substantial performance
3.
How to explain tender of performance
4.
How to explain how contracts can be discharged by agreement
5.
How to explain situations in which the law will permit a discharge by impossibility
6.
How to identify discharges that occur by operation of law
7.
How to define the statute of limitations
8.
How to identify debts that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
1.
What is a reasonable time for completing a contract?
2.
What is the difference between satisfactory and substantial performance of a contract?
3.
What is tender of performance?
4.
How can contract be discharged by agreement?
5.
When will the law permit a discharge by impossibility?
6.
When will the law permit a discharge by operation of law?
7.
What is the statute of limitations?
8.
What debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy?
Why does the court permit certain contract to be discharged by accord and satisfaction?
What is the legal philosophy behind the idea that certain contract cannot be discharged in bankruptcy?
Chapter 11 Quiz

Understanding Business & Personal Law
Chapter 12: Transfer of Contracts & Remedies for Breach
Duration: 5 Days
Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Supplemental
Reading
Show-Me
Standards
Competencies
Resources:
Essential
Questions
Critical Thinking
Activities
Assessments
Thursday Friday
1.
How to explain the nature of an assignment
2.
How to identify contractual rights that can be assigned
3.
How to explain the nature of delegation
4.
How to explain the nature of novation
5.
How to identify a situation involving privity of contract
6.
How to explain the concept of anticipatory breach
7.
How to identify remedies available for breach of contract
8.
How to define specific performance
9.
Why you must minimize the damages involved in a breach of contact
Lecture from Text book with examples, discussions and questions
Students to look up terms and be able to understand their meaning
Workbook exercises on pages
1.
What is an assignment?
2.
What contractual rights can be assigned?
3.
What is delegation?
4.
What is novation?
5.
What is privity of contract?
6.
What is involved in an anticipatory breach of a contract?
7.
What remedies are available to an innocent party when a breach of contract occurs?
8.
What is specific performance?
9.
Why is it necessary to minimize the damages involved in a breach of contract?
Why does the law grant third-party beneficiaries standing to bring lawsuits?
What is the principle that forms the basis of the theory of damages in contract law?
Chapter 12 Quiz
Contracts Unit Test