Course outline
Code: BUS503
Title: Principles of Commercial Law
Faculty of Arts and Business
School of Business
Teaching Session: Semester 1
Year: 2016
Course Coordinator: Dr Susan Douglas
Office:
K2.05
Telephone:
+61 7 5459 4493
Email:
sdouglas@usc.edu.au
1.
What is this course about?
1.1
Course description
This course aims to provide you with a foundation for the study of commercial legal principles and issues
for accountants. Topics are examined from both legal and ethical perspectives. The course includes
examination of the origins of our legal system, native title and sources of law in Australia and
internationally. Also examined are foundational principles relevant to the law of contract and negligence.
Further specific areas of business law are highlighted, including consumer law, the law business
organisations, and property law.
1.2
2.
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12 units
Course content
Introduction to the Australian legal system and business ethics
Business organisations
Business finance (loans and insolvency)
Property law including Intellectual property
The law of contract
The law of negligence
Consumer law
Health and environmental law
Workplace relations
White collar crime
International law
Unit value
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Course Outline: BUS503 Principles of Commercial Law
3.
How does this course contribute to my learning?
Specific Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of
this course you should be able
to:
Demonstrate an appropriate
level of subject matter
knowledge of business law
and ethics.
Evaluate case studies by using
appropriate analytical
techniques to identify and
solve business law problems
demonstrating both
knowledge and understanding
of the relevant law.
Assessment Tasks
Graduate Qualities
You will be assessed on the
learning outcome in task/s:
Completing these tasks successfully
will contribute to you becoming:
1, 2 and 3
Knowledgeable.
Ethical.
2 and 3
Creative and critical thinkers.
Empowered.
4.
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
4.1
Enrolment restrictions
4.2
Pre-requisites
4.3
Co-requisites
4.4
Anti-requisites
4.5
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills
5.
How am I going to be assessed?
5.1
Grading scale
Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites”
Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate program
Nil
Nil
MBA709 or EMB759
Nil
Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
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Course Outline: BUS503 Principles of Commercial Law
5.2
Task
No.
Assessment tasks
Assessment
Tasks
Individual
or Group
Weighting
%
1
Written
examination
Individual
20%
2
Assignment
Individual
30%
3
Final
examination
Individual
50%
100%
What is the
duration /
length?
1 hour
2000 words
max
2 hours
When should I
submit?
Where should
I submit it?
Week 5;
Scheduled in
Blackboard
Week 9, Friday,
3pm AEST
Central
examination
period
Online via
Blackboard
SafeAssign
In exam venue
Assessment Task 1: Written examination
Goal:
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key business law and ethical concepts
and principles.
Product: This task consists of a multiple choice examination.
Format:
This is an individual assessment item.
Criteria
Demonstrate an appropriate level of subject matter knowledge of business law and
ethics.
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Information literacy
Introductory
Problem solving
Introductory
Assessment Task 2: Assignment
Goal:
To demonstrate creative and critical thinking via analysis of a detailed case study
according to relevant legal principles.
Product: This task consists of a written academic paper employing a legal method of case
analysis.
Format:
This is an individual assessment task.
Criteria
Evaluate case studies by using appropriate analytical techniques to identify and solve
business law problems demonstrating both knowledge and understanding of the
relevant law.
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Developing
Communication
Developing
Assessment Task 3: Final examination
Goal:
Product:
Format:
Criteria
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key business law concepts and
principles as they apply to a variety of business issues.
This task consists of a written examination.
This is an individual assessment task.
Demonstrate an appropriate level of subject matter knowledge of business law; and
evaluate case studies by using appropriate analytical techniques to identify and solve
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Course Outline: BUS503 Principles of Commercial Law
business law problems demonstrating both knowledge and understanding of the
relevant law.
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Developing
Organisation
Developing
5.3
Additional assessment requirements
SafeAssign
In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its
assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to
be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If
required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
5.4
Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:
• 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified
as the due date for the assessment task.
• 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
• 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and
including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
• A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date
identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must
contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
6. How is the course offered?
6.1
Directed study hours
6.2
Teaching semester/session(s) offered
On campus Lecture: 2 hours in weeks 1 - 13
On campus Tutorial: 1 hour in weeks 1 - 13
Semester 1
6.3
Course activities
Teaching
Week /
Module
1
2
What key concepts/content will I
learn?
Sources of Law and Ethics in
Australia: Stature Law
Sources of Law and Ethics in
Australia: Case Law
What activities will I engage in to learn the
concepts/content?
Directed Study
Independent Study
Activities
Activities
Lecture and tutorial
Tutorial
Lecture and tutorial
Readings and tutorial
activities
Readings and tutorial
activities
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Course Outline: BUS503 Principles of Commercial Law
3
4
Friday,
25th March
Good Friday
Public
Holiday
Business Organisations
Lecture and tutorial
Business Finance
Lecture and tutorial
Readings and tutorial
activities
Readings and tutorial
activities
6
Mid Semester Break
Property Law including intellectual
Lecture and tutorial
Property
The Law of Contract
Lecture and tutorial
7
The Law of Negligence
Lecture and tutorial
Consumer Law
Lecture and tutorial
Health and Environmental Law
Lecture and tutorial
Readings and tutorial
activities
Workplace Relations
Readings and tutorial
activities
5
8
Monday, 25th
April
Anzac Day
Public
Holiday
9
Monday, 2nd
May
Labour Day
Public
Holiday
10
11
White Collar Crime
Lecture and tutorial
Assignment due
Friday Week 10
Lecture and tutorial
12
International Law
Lecture and tutorial
Refer to additional
material in
Blackboard
Study Period
Central Examination Period
End of Semester Break
Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.
13
Revision
Readings and tutorial
activities
Readings and tutorial
activities
Readings and tutorial
activities
Readings and tutorial
activities
Readings and tutorial
activities
Readings and tutorial
activities
Readings and tutorial
activities
7. What resources do I need to undertake this course?
7.1
Prescribed text(s)
2016 Book of Readings*
*Book of Readings are available for purchase from Mail and Print Services, located in the Resources Building, Ground Floor, E Street
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Course Outline: BUS503 Principles of Commercial Law
7.2
Required and recommended readings
7.3
Specific requirements
7.4
Risk management
8.
How can I obtain help with my studies?
9.
Links to relevant University policies and procedures
Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These
materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further
information regarding particular aspects of your course.
Nil
There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the
Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas.
In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning
provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can
drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email:
StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
• Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
• Review of Assessment and Final Grades
• Supplementary Assessment
• Administration of Central Examinations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Academic Misconduct
• Students with a Disability
http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching
10. Faculty specific information
10. Faculty specific information
Locating Journal Articles
If you have been notified that the journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line
library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers"
link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and
issue or keyword as needed.
Assignment Cover Sheets
The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal
at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name,
assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment
item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a
receipt.
Help: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first
instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible.
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Course Outline: BUS503 Principles of Commercial Law
Difficulties: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach
your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course
Coordinator, Program Coordinator then Head of School.
General enquiries
Student Central - Building C
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Fax: +61 7 5430 2882
Email: Studentcentral@usc.edu.au