HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Business, Computing and Applied Technology Division
Business Law, BA 205-01 (3 Semester Hours)
Fall 2013 (Evening)
INSTRUCTOR: Eric Feustel
CLASS: Joppa, Rm. 010, Tuesdays
7:00 – 9:50 PM (CRN 40163)
WEBSITE: www.harford.edu/faculty/efeustel
TEXTUAL MATERIALS:
OFFICE HOURS:
Following class or by appointment
OFFICE: None
EMAIL: efeustel@harford.edu
Roger Miller and Frank Cross, Business Law, Alternate
Edition (12th ed., 2013), South-Western Centage Learning
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on a study of the Uniform Commercial
Code as it applies to negotiable instruments and secured transactions. The course
emphasizes agency, business organizations, and employment law. It examines
creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, property law (real and personal), and estates.
COURSE GOAL: To provide students with a working knowledge of the legal aspects of
forming, operating, and dissolving business entities through case studies and
discussion of legal issues in the commercial setting.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND ACADEMIC OUTCOMES: Upon
satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss the applicability of the Uniform Commercial Code to negotiable
instruments and secured transactions. (Communication)
2. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of various types of business
organizations. (Communication, Critical Thinking)
3. Describe elements of property law and estates. (Communication)
4. Apply employment law to various business situations. (Critical Thinking)
5. Explain the impact of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy on business organizations.
(Communication)
COURSE OUTLINE: The following Topics (listed as they appear in the textbook) will be
covered during the course:
I. Negotiable Instruments
a Function and Creation of Negotiable Instruments
b. Transferability and Holder in Due Course
c. Liability, Defenses, and Discharge
d. Checks and Banking in the Digital Age
e. Ethics and Business Decision Making
II. Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy
a. Creditor’s Rights and Remedies
b. Secured Transactions
c. Bankruptcy Law
III. Agency and Employment
a. Agency Formation and Duties
b. Agency Liability and Termination
c. Employment, Immigration, and Labor Law
d. Employment Discrimination
IV. Business Organizations
a. Sole Proprietorships and Franchises
b. Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships
c. Limited Liability Companies and Special Business Forms
d. Corporate Formation and Financing
e. Corporate Directors, Officers, and Shareholders
f. Corporate Merger, Consolidation, and Termination
g. Corporate Securities Law and Corporate Governance
h. Law for Small Business
V. Property and its Protection
a. Personal Property and Bailments
b. Real Property and Landlord-Tenant Relationships
c. Wills and Trusts
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: A total of 300 points can be earned in this course. Final
grades will be based on the following scale:
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
270 points or above
240-269 points
210-239 points
180-209 points
179 points or below
TESTS (150 POINTS): There will be three tests administered during the course
consisting of up to 50 multiple choice questions each. Questions will count 1-2 points
toward the final grade for a total of 150 points. Students will have up to 2.5 hours to
complete each test. Students with at least 250 points on the night of the last class prior
to the third test and who have attended all classes without arriving late or departing
early may waive the test and receive an A in the course. Students who believe they
qualify for the waiver must submit a waiver request via email and submit a hardcopy of
their completed grade sheet with all assignments to the instructor by the end of class on
11/12/13. Students who qualify for the waiver will receive a confirmation via email from
the instructor and will be released from class after class discussion of chapters 30/50.
QUIZZES (60 POINTS): Four true/false unannounced (pop) quizzes will be
administered during the course. A quiz will consist of five questions covering material
discussed in the previous class. Only the top three quizzes will be counted toward the
final grade at 20 points each (4 points per question) for a total of 60 points. Students
will be given 5 minutes to complete each quiz and may use their textbooks. Quizzes
will be administered at the beginning of class. Missed quizzes cannot be made up.
CLASS PARTICIPATION (50 POINTS): During the course, the instructor will engage in
class discussions with individual students on a random basis by posing a series of
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questions. Students may refer to their outline notes during the discussion but may not
use their textbooks. Students may not be called on twice in one class but may be
called upon in consecutive classes. When called upon, students will sit up, make eye
contact with the instructor, and respond to the question(s) in a clear voice. Grades are
based on preparation (class outline notes [see faculty website for format]-10 points);
understanding of the concepts in the assigned material (5 points); ability to convey
concepts clearly and concisely (5 points); and their presentation skills (5 points).
Students will have at least two opportunities to be called upon (25 points each) and may
pass on one occasion. A pass on any other occasion will incur a cumulative 5-point
class participation deduction from the total points earned. Students may still be called
upon after their two speaking engagements--those who are prepared will keep the
grade earned in the prior two speaking engagements. Students who are unprepared or
do poorly may lose up to 5 points per additional speaking engagement. It is the
student’s personal responsibility to ensure they participate in two class discussions prior
to the last test. (Class outline notes must be the students own written/typed workproduct [see academic dishonesty policy] and will be inspected immediately after each
speaking engagement.)
CLASSWORK (40 POINTS): During the last portion of each class, students will
complete an end of chapter question for each assigned chapter to be submitted for
review by the instructor. Sample solutions to these problems can be found at Appendix
I of the textbook. Students must turn in ALL their responses (answers) to these
questions on 11/12/13 to receive credit (no email or electronic formats). Students will
receive full credit only if the assignment is in the correct format and each question has
been fully and correctly answered. All responses must be submitted on 8.5 by 11 paper
with one inch margins, single spaced, and in 12 pitch/arial font (see example on faculty
website). Only the answers to questions should be turned in. Each response must be
prefaced with the question number and must appear in the following order: 32-2;332;49-2;50-3;34-2;35-2;28-2;29-3;24-2;25-2;26-3;27-2;36-2;37-2;38-2;39-2;40-2. Each
page shall be labeled with the student’s name and all work must be the sole product of
the student and be in the student’s own words (see academic dishonest policy and
ensure no regurgitation of the sample answer).
BONUS POINTS (10 POINTS): Students will start the course with 10 bonus points
awarded merely for attending all scheduled classes. Students must be present for the
entire class to receive credit for the purposes of earning bonus points. Arriving late,
leaving class early, or missing class FOR ANY REASON (excused or unexcused) will
reduce bonus points by 5 points on each occurrence. Attendance will be recorded by
seating chart.
The grade sheet attached to this syllabus is provided for student use. Students will be
responsible for keeping track of their grades on an ongoing basis. Grades will not be
curved.
COURSE POLICIES:
1. Because class participation is a substantial part of the grade, attendance is expected at every
class. Should it be necessary for a student to miss a class, advance notice is expected.
Students will need to obtain missed class notes from other students. Lectures may not be
photographed or recorded without prior permission from the instructor.
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2. Reading assignments must be completed before each class. Students will take notes
“outline” (see faculty website) as they read in order to be prepared to answer questions when
called upon and contribute to class discussion. If a particular concept is unclear or raises
questions, students should write down questions and ensure they are answered in class.
3. Students are required to take all tests during the scheduled time. If a student misses a test, it
is in the instructor’s discretion (for good cause only) whether to permit the student to take the
test. As previously stated, students may not make up quizzes.
4. Students will display proper bearing at all times. Students are encouraged to ask questions
and contribute to discussions. Students who desire to contribute will raise their hand until called
on by the instructor. Profanity, in any form, cell phone use, and texting is prohibited.
5. Students will have assigned seating arrangements and should not be late for class.
Understandably, this might happen occasionally. Do not make it a habit as it disrupts the class.
Student-to-student discussions during class (sidebars) are prohibited. Disruptive students will
be separated after appropriate warning.
6. Based on the flow of class, there will be a break at approximately 8:25PM. The instructor will
set the length of the break (usually 10 minutes). Return from break promptly to prevent class
from running past 9:50 PM.
7. Contact with the instructor outside of class will be via student email accounts. Students are
responsible for establishing and monitoring their email account.
REQUIRED HCC DISCLOSURES:
1. Course Policies. HCC students are bound by the academic policies outlined in the most
current HCC Catalog. It is the student’s responsibility to review these policies prior to the start of
each semester.
2. Academic Policies. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially from any class in
which he/she ceases to attend and to notify the instructor. Failure to withdraw could result in the
grade of F.
3. Academic Dishonesty. Students will be familiar with and adhere to the policy governing
academic dishonesty and its sanctions as outlined in the Code for Student Rights,
Responsibilities and Conduct, which can be found on OwlNet under the My Academic Life Tab
or in the HCC online catalog. The attempt to present, as ones work, what one has not produced
is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offence. Students are considered to
have cheated if they copy the work of another during an examination or turn in outlines, class
work, or extra credit with the assistance, in whole or part, of another. Students are guilty of
plagiarism, if they copy materials from books, magazines or other sources or if they paraphrase
ideas from such sources without acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or assisting others in,
either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz or examination may receive a grade of F for
the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the program or College.
4. Student Conduct. Students will be familiar with and adhere to the “Code for Student Rights,
Responsibilities and Conduct”, which can be found on OwlNet under the My Academic Life Tab
or in the HCC online catalog. The Code outlines prohibited conduct, the disciplinary process,
and possible sanctions. Students found responsible for violating the Code will have a
disciplinary record that will remain in the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student
Development for three years.
5. Disability Services. HCC is committed to serving students who have documented physical,
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learning, psychological, and other disabilities. Students who have a disability are responsible for
contacting Disability Support Services at 443-412-2402 to discuss their needs for
accommodations. All information shared with Disability Support Services will be held in
confidence.
6. Syllabus Modification. Instructors reserve the right to modify and/or change the course
syllabus with reasonable notification to students.
7. Inclement Weather. If any class has to be canceled, tests will be rescheduled for the next
class period and assignments will be collected at the next class period. The telephone number
to call for weather information is 443-412-2322 or access www.schoolsout.com.
8. Federal Credit Hour Definition Statement. For a 15 week semester, each credit hour
represents one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of
outside class-work per week. For terms that are less than 15 weeks, students should also spend
a minimum of two hours outside of class for every hour in class. Academic activities include, but
are not limited to reading, writing, studying, research, and completing worksheets. In addition, at
least an equivalent amount of out of class work is required for laboratory work, internships,
practica, studio work, etc. At Harford Community College, for all credit courses, students are
expected to spend a minimum of 37.5 combined hours of direct instructional time and related
coursework time per credit hour. This course is a three (3) credit course. This course achieves
the minimum of 112.5 hours of combined instructional time by requiring 37.5 hours of direct
instructional time and 75 hours of student work outside of direct instructional time.
CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS:
DATE
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
11/12/13
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
READING
Chapter 32/33
Chapter 49/50
Chapter 34/35
Chapter 28/29
Self Study
Chapter 24/25
Chapter 26/27
Chapter 36/37/38
Self Study
Chapter 39/40
41/42
30/52
No Class
Self-Study
ACTIVITY
Class Participation/Class Work
Class Participation/Class Work
Class Participation/Class Work
Class Participation/Class Work
TEST 1
Class Participation/Class Work
Class Participation/Class Work
Class Participation/Class Work
TEST 2
Class Participation/Class Work
Class Participation--Class work, extra credit,
and Test 3 waiver due
Class Participation
Thanksgiving Week (Chapter 5 and 43)
TEST 3
In addition to the above scheduled reading other materials such as handouts or review
of website material may be assigned.
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STUDENT NAME__________________________
Grade Sheet
Quiz: 1._____
2._____ 3._____ 4._____
Total ______ (60) (top three)
Class Participation: 1._____ 2._____
Total ______ (50)
Test: 1._____ 2._____ 3._____
Total ______ (150)
Classwork:
Total ______ (40)
Attendance (Bonus):
Total ______ (10)
Divide Total By 300 to Get Final Grade (%)
Final Total ______ (300)
A
B
C
D
F
300-270
269-240
239-210
209-180
179 and below
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