GERMANNA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BUSINESS LAW I
BUS 241/F01 (51334)
3 CREDITS
SEMESTER Fall 2014
Fredericksburg Area Campus, Building #2, Room 140
(Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.)
Instructor: Bruce A. McKechnie, Esquire
Phone: 540.538.7021
Email:bmckechnie@germanna.edu
COURSE OUTLINE
1.
INTRODUCTION: Business Law I concerns the body of law that determines rights and
obligations of individuals and organizations engaged in commercial business activities. The
course is designed for students in a two-year college program who will be entering the business
world in a wide range of occupations. The course will provide the student with an understanding
of the basic principles of law, legal rights and responsibilities incident to the conduct of business,
and an awareness of the means available to the individuals for the enforcement of their rights.
2.
TEXTBOOK: Business Law with UCC Applications, by Brown and Sukys, Published by
McGraw-Hill/Irwin, Thirteenth Edition, copyright 2013.
3.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Develops a basic understanding of the US business legal
environment. Introduces property and contract law, agency and partnership liability, and
government regulatory law. Students will be able to apply these legal principles to
landlord/tenant disputes, consumer rights issues, employment relationships, and other business
transactions.
4.
ADDITIONAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to develop in the
student a basic understanding of business law in the United States. The course material will
introduce the student to the operating structure of the federal and state judicial system, criminal
and tort law as it relates to the business world, cyber-law, contract law, real and personal property
law, agency law, and employment law. Students will be able to apply these legal principles to a
variety of commercial business transactions, landlord/tenant disputes, and employment
relationships.
5.
OBJECTIVES:
a)
The student will be exposed to the federal and state court system and to various
federal administrative agencies. The student will be expected to describe how these court systems
and agencies affect the legal environment of business.
b)
The student will learn how business transactions relate to criminal law, tort law,
cyber-law and contract law. In contract law the student will learn the elements of a contract and
how these elements affect a contract.
c)
The student will learn about the creation and termination of agency agreements,
and the legal relationships, rights, and liabilities incumbent upon principals and agents.
d)
The student will learn basic property law including the rights and responsibilities
of both the tenant and the landlord.
e)
The student will be exposed extensively to the study of case law by
reviewing prior court decisions. This review will include: identifying the rules of law that apply
to the facts of the case; and deciding the case by applying the rules of law to the facts.
6.
TOPIC OUTLINE:
Part One:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Ethics, Social Responsibility, and the Law
Sources of the Law
The Judicial Process and Cyber-procedure
Criminal Law and Cybercrimes
Tort Law and Cybertorts
Part Two:
Chapter 7
The Essentials of Contract Law
Chapter 8 Offer, Acceptance and Mutual Assent
Chapter 9 Consideration and Cyber-payments
Chapter 10 Capacity and Legality: The Final Elements
Chapter 11 Written Contracts and Cyber-Commerce
Chapter 12 Third Parties, Discharge and Remedies
Chapter 15 Product Liability and Consumer Protection
Part Three:
Chapter 29 Personal Property and Bailments
Chapter 30 Real Property and Landlord and Tenant Law
Chapter 22 Agency Law
Chapter 23 Employment Law
Chapter 24 Labor Law
Chapter 31 Wills, Trusts, and Advanced Directives
Chapter 19 Insurance
Chapter 20 Mortgages and Security Instruments
Chapter 21 Bankruptcy and Debt Adjustment
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships
The Corporate Entity
7.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES: Classes are structured around lectures relating to
previously assigned reading materials and case assignments. Quizzes will be given online through
Blackboard each week to measure the student’s on-going comprehension of the material discussed
in class. Each quiz will be made available on Blackboard from 10:00 p.m. on the night of class
until 6:00 p.m. on the day of the next class. Each quiz will be timed to allow 1½ minutes per
question (not counting any extra credit questions). For example, a twenty question quiz with an
extra credit question will be timed for 30 minutes. In addition, the class will be divided into groups
with each student in the group being assigned a particular case at the end of the chapters in the
textbook. Each student in the group will be responsible for analyzing the particular case assigned
and preparing a written presentation of the case. Each student will be assigned a case on the night
of class and will be responsible for submitting his or her Case Presentation to me via e-mail no
later than 12 noon on the day immediately before the next class. Each student must use the case
presentation format provided at the Case Presentation Format tab in Blackboard. In addition, I
have provided a Sample Case Presentation in Blackboard to which students may refer to determine
the content expected for a Case Presentation. The students in each group may communicate with
each other for the purpose of completing that group’s case assignment; however, ALL other course
assignments are to be completed individually, with NO help from group members.
8.
CLASS SCHEDULE: Each class will be broken up into two portions: one extending from
7:00 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. with a 15 minute break; and the second portion from 8:30 p.m. until 9:45
p.m. See Class Syllabus below.
9.
ATTENDANCE STANDARD: All students are expected to be present and on time at all
regularly scheduled classes. If a student misses more than two (2) classes, I may complete a
DROP/ADD form showing that the student has been administratively withdrawn from the class. I
will submit this form, showing the last date of attendance by the student, to the Admissions and
Records Office. A "W" will be recorded in lieu of a grade for all withdrawals, whether initiated
by the student or by me, up to October 30, 2014. Students withdrawn after October 30, 2014 will
receive a grade of "F" except under mitigating circumstances. Documentation of such
circumstances must be placed in the student's academic file in order that a "W" may be
recorded. Frequent absences may result in termination of veteran's benefits and other programs of
financial assistance.
10.
EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT:
Students will be evaluated and given a grade based upon the following schedule of work
assigned during the semester:
Case Presentations (See Note #1)
In-Class Quizzes (See Note #2)
Assessment Exam (See Note #3)
Final Exam (See Note #4)
33 1/3%
33 1/3%
Extra Credit points only
33 1/3%
Extra Credit Assignment – There will be assigned an optional extra credit assignment. The purpose
of this extra credit assignment is to provide an opportunity to students who may have an average
grade for the course which is immediately below the next highest grade to possibly attain that
higher grade for the course. For example, a student may have an average grade for the course of
89.12%. If that student does not complete the extra credit assignment, then that student would
receive a “B” for the course. On the other hand, if that student did complete the extra credit
assignment, then that student may, depending on all other circumstances, get bumped up to an
“A”.
Note #1 – Throughout the semester, cases at the end of the chapters covered will be assigned to
students in groups. These case assignments will be completed at home and submitted in writing
via e-mail by 12 noon on the day immediately before the next class. In submitting the case
assignments students must present their case assignments in the body of the e-mail rather than as
an attachment and to present all case assignments due for that week in one singular e-mail rather
than multiple e-mails. Students are also encouraged to use proper grammar and spelling, and to
discuss the topic/issue thoroughly for the highest possible grade.
Note #2 - For most of the chapters covered in class there will be a quiz, consisting of true/false
questions. Each quiz will be timed for 1½ minutes per question (not counting extra credit
questions) and made available on Blackboard from 10:00 p.m. on the night of class until 6:00 p.m.
on the day of the next class. The quizzes are launched in Blackboard so that once the student opens
a quiz to take it, the student must finish the quiz in the time allotted. Therefore, I recommend that
when taking a quiz, the student makes sure there will be no interruptions and that the computer
connection is safe; for the latter reason, I recommend that the quizzes be taken on the school
computers.
Note #3 - Students will be given an Assessment Exam to assess the extent to which the
learning objectives for the class were achieved. Students will have thirty minutes to complete the
Assessment Exam which will consist of twenty (20) multiple choice questions. The Assessment
Exam will be timed for 30 minutes and made available on Blackboard from 10:00 p.m. on the night
of the last class until 3:00 p.m. on December 10, 2014, and must be completed in order to open
and complete the Final Exam. Each question on the Assessment Exam will be worth ½ point to
be added to the Final Exam score. In other words, if a student answers all of the Assessment Exam
questions correctly, that student will have 10 extra points added to that student’s score on the Final
Exam.
Note #4 - There will be a Final Exam given at the end of the semester consisting of 100 multiple
choice questions. The Final Exam will be timed for three hours and made available on Blackboard
from 10:00 p.m. on the night of the last class and will be due by no later than 6:00 p.m. on
December10, 2014. Students must take the Assessment Exam before the Final Exam can be
opened. Students may also contact me about taking the Final Exam in paper form.
11. GERMANNA'S E-MAIL POLICY: Students, faculty, and staff of Germanna Community
College MUST use Germanna e-mail for all official college communications. This includes
course-related communications between students and faculty. If you need help in accessing your
student e-mail account please visit the Academic Computing Center on either campus. ALL EMAILS SENT TO ME MUST INCLUDE IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR E-MAIL, YOUR
NAME AND THE COURSE YOU ARE TAKING (BUS 241). If this information is not in your
e-mail I WILL NOT respond.
12.
IMPORTANT DATES
Classes begin…………………………………….……..August 20
Last day to drop/add a class…………………………..…August 26
Holiday (Labor Day)………………………….……..….September 1
Last day to drop with refund……………………...……September 8
College Learning Day (no classes)……………….…….September 23
Last day to drop without academic penalty……..…….October 30
Thanksgiving holiday………………………………….November 26-29
Classes end……………………………………………..December 9
Final Examinations……………………………..…....December 10-16
13.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Students with disabilities who need
accommodations to fully participate in the programs and services offered by the College are
encouraged to register with the Special Needs Counselor at either the LGC or the FAC campus. To
be eligible for services, students must submit appropriate medical documentation of their
disability. Services are provided based on each student's individual needs. Services may include,
but not limited to: orientation to the campus, academic accommodations, physical barrier removal,
liaison with faculty and staff, and/or information and referral. Special Needs Counselors are
located in the Counseling Center on each Campus.
14.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: GCC students are expected to maintain complete honesty and
integrity in the completion and presentation of all academic assignments and examinations. Any
student found guilty of cheating, plagiarism, or other dishonorable acts in academic work is subject
to disciplinary action. Disciplinary sanctions for acts of academic dishonesty shall be initiated by
the faculty member and may include awarding a failing grade. Students may appeal an imposed
sanction to the appropriate Director of Student Development Services and handled according to
the disciplinary procedures outlined in the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
15.
COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY: A student may withdraw from a course without
academic penalty and receive a grade of "W" during the first 60% of the semester or session. The
last day to withdraw from a course without academic penalty or change to audit is October
30, 2014. After that date, if a student withdraws or is withdrawn from a course, a grade of "F" will
be assigned. Exceptions to this policy may be considered under mitigating circumstances if the
student was making satisfactory progress in the course when their attendance or participation
ceased. Mitigating circumstances must be documented by the student in a formal written petition
and submitted to the appropriate Dean of Instructions for review and consideration. A copy of this
documentation will be placed in the student's academic file.
16.
OFFICE HOURS: As an adjunct professor, I have no fixed office; however, students are
encouraged to communicate with me through e-mail and/or by telephone. In addition, I will remain
in the classroom for an hour after each class to personally respond to any student issues.
17.
LIBRARY SERVICES: Library Services offers a rich variety of resources to Germanna
students from workshops on how to conduct academic research to an online catalog of print and
electronic resources available at the Locust Grove Campus, the Fredericksburg Area Campus, and
the Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper. FAC’s Information Commons provides a quiet place
to research and write. Library staff can aid students with their research. Students can access
thousands of journal titles, most of which are full text. E-books are available in a variety of
disciplines and for leisure reading. Students are encouraged to take advantage of library resources
by visiting any of Germanna’s libraries and exploring the online resources at:
http://www.germanna.edu/Academics_And_Student_Services/Student_Services/Library_Service
s/
17.
TUTORING SERVICES: The Tutoring Services Department offers a variety of free
academic support programs for Germanna students at both the Locust Grove and Fredericksburg
Area campuses. Daniel Center students should contact the Locust Grove tutoring office
regarding available services and Stafford Center students should contact the FAC Tutoring
Services Office for available services. To schedule an individual tutoring appointment, call or
visit the Locust Grove or Fredericksburg Tutoring Centers.
Online tutoring is available during daytime, evening and weekend hours. Registered
students may access online tutoring by clicking on the Smarthinking link from the Tutoring
Services’ website.
Supplementary academic materials are available free of charge from Tutoring Services,
and they may also be downloaded from the Tutoring Services’ website:
http://www.germanna.edu/tutor/ Tutoring Services operates a daily walk-in Writing Lab and
Math Lab as well as providing a variety of study skills and academic workshops. Students may
register for the Test Taking/Test Anxiety Workshop, Grammar Workshop, APA/MLA
Workshop, TI83/84 Calculator Workshop, Computer Competency Workshop, Note-taking,
Spanish Discussion Group, Drug Calculation Workshop, and the Basic PC Skills Mini Course by
visiting or calling our offices. Several of these workshops may also be viewed online from the
“Online Tutoring Resources” section of the Tutoring Services’ website:
http://www.germanna.edu/tutor/resources.asp?menuchoice=Online%20Tutoring%20Resources
18. ACADEMIC COMPUTING CENTER: The ACC provides computer access to students
needing to work on class work, check e-mail, blackboard, etc. Students also can apply, register for
classes or change classes, check grades, etc. using myGCC. Staff is available to assist students
with various computer issues and services. Student can access the internet and MS Office Suite,
and placement testing is administered at LGC.
19.
TESTING SERVICES: Testing Services provide proctor services for make-up and
distance learning tests. Test proctoring for various nursing exams, dental hygiene, exit exams and
other college/university testing as well. To determine the hours of the Testing Center, go to the
website http://www.germanna.edu/acc/testing_center.
BUS 241-F01 BUSINESS LAW I
SEMESTER Fall 2014
CLASS SYLLABUS
08/20/14
Orientation, administrative details, review of syllabus, description of class,
quizzes, case law studies, preparation of case presentations, absentee policies, email policies, office hours, etc….
Lecture – Chapter 1 - Ethics, Social Responsibility, and the Law
Reading assignment – Chapter 2 - Sources of the Law and Chapter 3 - The
Judicial Process and Cyber-procedure
Cases assigned for Chapters 2 and 3
08/27/14
Lecture - Chapter 2 – Sources of the Law and Chapter 3 – The Judicial Process
and Cyber-procedure
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapters 2 and 3
Reading assignment – Chapter 5 - Criminal Law and Cybercrimes and Chapter 6
– Tort Law and Cybertorts
Quiz assignment – Quiz #1 (Chapters 2 and 3) (30 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapters 5 and 6
09/03/14
Lecture - Chapter 5 – Criminal Law and Cybercrimes and Chapter 6 – Tort Law
and Cybertorts
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapters 5 and 6
Reading assignment - Chapter 7 - The Essentials of Contract Law and Chapter 8
– Offer, Acceptance, and Mutual Assent
Quiz assignment – Quiz #2 (Chapters 5 and 6) (30 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapters 7 and 8
09/10/14
Lecture - Chapter 7 - The Essentials of Contract Law and Chapter 8 – Offer,
Acceptance and Mutual Assent
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapters 7 and 8
Reading assignment - Chapter 9 – Consideration and Cyber-payments and
Chapter 10 – Capacity and Legality; The Final Elements
Quiz assignment – Quiz #3 (Chapters 7 and 8) (45 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapters 9 and 10
09/17/14
Lecture - Chapter 9 – Consideration and Cyber-payments and Chapter 10 –
Capacity and Legality; The Final Elements
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapters 9 and 10
Reading assignment - Chapter 11 – Written Contracts and Cyber-Commerce and
Chapter 12 – Third Parties, Discharge and Remedies
Quiz assignment – Quiz #4 (Chapters 9 and 10) (45 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapters 11 and 12
09/24/14
Lecture – Chapter 11 – Written Contracts and Cyber-Commerce and Chapter 12 –
Third Parties, Discharge and Remedies
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapters 11 and 12
Reading assignment - Chapter 15 – Product Liability and Consumer Protection
Quiz assignment – Quiz #5 (Chapters 11 and 12) (45 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapter 15
Extra Credit Assignment assigned
10/01/14
Lecture - Chapter 15 – Product Liability and Consumer Protection
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapter 15
Reading assignment - Chapter 29 – Personal Property and Bailments
Quiz assignment – Quiz #6 (Chapter 15) (15 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapter 29
10/08/14
Lecture - Chapter 29 – Personal Property and Bailments
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapter 29
Reading assignment – Chapter 30 – Real Property and Landlord and Tenant Law
Quiz assignment – Quiz #7 (Chapter 29) (25 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapter 30
10/15/14
Lecture - Chapter 30 – Real Property and Landlord and Tenant Law
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapter 30
Reading assignment – Chapter 22 – Agency Law
Quiz assignment – Quiz #8 (Chapter 30) (30 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapter 22
10/22/14
Lecture - Chapter 22 – Agency Law
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapter 22
Reading assignment - Chapter 23 – Employment Law and Chapter 24 – Labor
Law
Quiz assignment – Quiz #9 (Chapter 22) (30 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapters 23 and 24
Extra Credit Assignment due
10/29/14
Lecture – Chapter 23 – Employment Law and Chapter 24 – Labor Law
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapters 23 and 24
Reading assignment - Chapter 31 – Wills, Trusts and Advanced Directives
Quiz assignment – Quiz #10 (Chapters 23 and 24) (30 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapter 31
11/05/14
No class
Reading assignment – Chapter 19 – Insurance
Quiz assignment – Quiz #11 (Chapter 31) (15 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapter 19
11/12/14
No class
Reading assignment – Chapter 20 – Mortgages and Security Instruments and
Chapter 21 – Bankruptcy and Debt Adjustment
Quiz assignment – Quiz #12 (Chapter 19) (15 minutes)
Cases assigned for Chapters 20 and 21
11/19/14
Lecture – Chapter 31 – Wills, Trusts and Advanced Directives; Chapter 19 –
Insurance; Chapter 20 – Mortgages and Security Instruments and Chapter 21 –
Bankruptcy and Debt Adjustment
Discussion of Cases assigned for Chapters 31, 19, 20 and 21
Reading assignment – Chapter 25 - Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships and
Chapter 26 - The Corporate Entity
Quiz assignment – Quiz #13 (Chapters 20 and 21) (30 minutes)
No Case assignments
11/26/14
No class – Thanksgiving holiday
12/03/14
Lecture - Chapter 37 – Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships and Chapter 38 –
The Corporate Entity
Course Review
Business Law Family Feud
12/10/14
Assessment Exam due (3:00 p.m.) (30 minutes)
12/10/14
Final Exam due (6:00 p.m.) (3 hours)