LAWPT 265-01 & LAWPT 365-01
BUSINESS LAW
Spring 2014
COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS
Course Title:
Credit Hours:
Class Time/Location:
Business Law
3
Monday & Wednesday, 12:00-1:15p
222 Sam Glenn Complex
Text:
Essentials of Business Law, 8th ed. by Liuzzo
ISBN 978-0-07-35118-4
Quick Reference Guide: Business Law—2005 Update by Bar Charts, Inc.
ISBN 157222870-9
Instructor
Office/Phone:
Office Email:
Office Hours:
Joni Dickinson Mina, Ph.D.
223B Sam Glenn Complex/208.792.2809
jmina@lcsc.edu
Monday & Wednesday, 2:00-4:00p
Teaching Assistant
Email:
Nicole Farris
nefarris@lcmail.lcsc.edu
Course Objectives
In this class you will be introduced to, and develop your knowledge and understanding of, the
law that governs our society today, particularly in business. We will cover the following topics:
a.
b.
c.
Fundamentals of law—our legal system, types of law, ethics
Business law areas—contracts, sales, agency, business organizations, commercial paper,
property, business and technology
Skills that are required for working in law and business
We will critically analyze and discuss the material in the course text and other sources. Readings
will be assigned from the course text and handouts. Delivery of course material is through lecture and
may also include videos, guest lectures, and panel discussions from visiting practitioners and others in
the profession.
Students enrolled in the LAWPT 365 section of this course will participate in all class work and,
in addition, will complete an additional legal research project by the end of the semester.
Evaluation
Your course grade will reflect your performance on four exams, completion of a research paper
(or, in the case of LAWPT 365 students, two research papers), and your attendance and participation in
class.
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1.
Exams—300 pts. There will be three examinations (100 pts. each) on readings from the
text, handouts, and our class discussions. The exams will comprise multiple choice,
matching, short answer, T/F, and essay questions.
EXAMS MAY NOT BE MADE UP. In the real world, your inability to complete work on
time will likely leave you unemployed. Therefore, as I train you to be a proficient
employee in the workplace, my practice will emulate the real world.
2.
Research Paper A—200 pts. You are required to complete a research paper on a legal
issue (civil or criminal) that concerns any area of business today. The requirements for
the paper are as follows:
a. The paper shall be no longer than 10 pages in length
b. You must cite at least 5 resources that are NOT internet websites or popular
magazines (i.e., case law, books and articles from research journals are
appropriate)
c. The paper shall clearly and concisely:
1) Define the issue
2) Discuss the effect of the issue on business or society today
3) Discuss the legal and procedural status of the issue
4) State your point of view and conclusion of the issue
5) Be written so as to reflect a college-level standard
d.
3.
PAPER A IS DUE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE
ACCEPTED.
Research Paper B—200 pts. As a LAWPT 365 student, you will complete an additional
research project on any legal issue in which you have an interest. The requirements for
the paper are as follows:
a. The paper shall be no longer than 10 pages in length
b. You must cite at least two statutory/constitutional provisions and two legal
cases that form the basis of your argument.
c. The paper shall clearly and concisely:
1) Define the issue from your point of view
2) Reflect a clear, cogent, and concise analysis of the issue and present
your argument for and/or against the issue which should be supported
by existing case or statutory law
3) State your conclusion on the matter
d. PAPER B IS DUE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE
ACCEPTED.
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4.
Attendance and Participation—100 pts. You are expected to attend class as scheduled
and participate in all class activities. Readings are assigned the week before they are to
be discussed; you should have completed these readings before the required class and
come prepared to engage in meaningful dialogue about the subject matter.
Grading Distribution. A total of 600 points may be earned by LAWPT 265 students in this class.
The point distribution is as follows:
Exams—100 pts. each
Research Paper A
Attendance and participation
300 pt.
200 pt.
100 pt.
The grading scale is as follows:
A
AB+
B
BC+
580-600 points
560-579
540-559
520-539
500-519
480-499
C
CD+
D
DF
460-479
440-459
420-439
400-419
380-399
Below 379
Students enrolled in LAWPT 365 may earn up to 800 points in this class, where they may earn up
to an additional 200 points for their legal research project. The grading distribution will be adjusted
proportionately to accommodate this addition.
Students’ Responsibilities
See the handout titled “Statement of Student Responsibilities and Expectations” that describes
LCSC students’ general responsibilities and what you can expect from classes taught by this instructor.
Your failure to meet the requirements and/or expectations may result in dismissal from this class.
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Course Syllabus
Note: The schedule shown below is subject to change
Dates
Wk #
Topics Covered
Assignment
1 1/20
1/22
No class; Martin Luther King Day
Introductions, info gathering, course overview, notetaking tips
Read ch. 1 for 1/27
2 1/27
1/29
Lect:
Lect:
Ch. 1: Our System of Law
Ch. 2: Ethics
Read ch. 2 for 1/29
Read ch. 3 & 4 for 2/3
3 2/3
Lect:
Ch. 3: Criminal Law
Ch. 4: Torts
2/5
Lect:
Ch. 3 & 4 (cont’d)
4 2/10
Lect:
Ch. 5: Constitutional Law
Ch. 6: Administrative Law
2/12
Lect:
Ch. 5 & 6 (cont’d)
5 2/17
2/19
6 2/24
2/26
Read ch. 5 & 6 for 2/10
No class; Presidents’ Day
Lect:
Read research paper handouts for 2/19
How to Write a Research Paper
Library Tour/Class (mandatory)
DUE:
Lect:
Topic outline of Research Paper A
More on research papers
7 3/3
Lect:
Chs. 7-15: Contracts
3/5
Lect:
Chs. 7-15 (cont’d)
Lect:
Chs. 7-15 (cont’d)
8 3/10
3/12
Catch-up
EXAM 1 (ch. 1-15) handed out; due 3/17
Reminder: Research topic outline due
2/26
Read ch. 7-15 as we will be covering
them between 3/3 and 3/10
Work on Exam 1
Read ch. 16 & 17 for 3/17
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Dates
Wk #
9 3/17
3/19
Topics Covered
Assignment
DUE: Exam 1
Lect: Ch. 16: Transfer of Title
Ch. 17: Sales
Writing Center presentation
Lect: Ch. 16 & 17 (continued)
Read ch. 18 & 19 for 3/24
10 3/24
Lect:
Ch. 18: Warranties
Ch. 19: Agency
Read ch. 20 & 21 for 3/26
3/26
Lect:
Ch. 20: Business Organizations
Ch. 21: Bankruptcy
Reminder: Draft of Research Paper A
due 4/7
Read ch. 22 & 23 for 4/7
11 3/314/4
12 4/7
4/9
No class; Spring Break
DUE:
Lect:
Draft of Research Paper A
Ch. 22: Commercial Paper
Ch. 23: Transfer/Discharge of Comm. Paper
Read ch. 24 & 25 for 4/9
Lect:
Ch. 24: Real and Personal Property
Ch. 25: Bailments
EXAM 2 (ch. 16-25) handed out; due 4/14
Read ch. 26 & 27 for 4/14
Work on Exam 2; due 4/14
DUE: Exam 2
Lect: Ch. 26: Landlord-Tenant law
Ch. 27: Wills, Intestacy, Trusts
Read ch. 28 & 29 for 4/16
Reminder: Research Paper A due 4/21
4/16
Lect:
Ch. 28: Intellectual Property
Ch. 29: Computer Privacy/Speech
Read ch. 30 for 4/21
14 4/21
DUE:
Lect:
Research Paper A
Ch. 30: Cyberspace Business
Read ch. 31 & 32 for 4/23
4/23
Lect:
Ch. 31: Employer-Employee Relationships
Ch. 32: Employment Law
Read ch. 33 & 34 for 4/28
15 4/28
Lect:
Ch. 33: Product Liability
Ch. 34: Professionals’ Liability
Read ch. 35 & 36 for 4/30
4/30
Lect:
13 4/14
Ch. 35: International Business Law
Ch. 36: Business and the Environment
EXAM 3 (ch. 28-36) handed out; due 5/5
Reminder: Research Paper B due 5/5
Reminder: Exam 3 due 5/5
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Dates
Wk #
16 5/5
5/7
17 5/12
Topics Covered
Assignment
Catch-up
DUE: Research Paper B
DUE: Exam 3
Catch-up
FINALS WEEK
5/14
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