Spring 2012-2013
SYLLABUS
BUS 263
3 Semester Credit Hours
The Legal and Social
Environment of Business
3 Contact Hours
C
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the legal and social environment for business
operations with emphasis on contemporary issues and subsequent impact on
business. Topics include the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the legislative
process, civil and criminal law, administrative agencies, trade regulations,
consumer protection, contracts, employment and personal property.
Course Textbook Manuals, or Other Required Materials
Meiners, Roger E., Ringeb Al H., and Frances L. Edwards. The Legal
Environment of Business. 11th edition. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage
Learning, 2011.
Prerequisite
None
Course Learning Outcomes
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Identify the elements of law and the judicial process.
Identify the different court systems.
Describe the key elements of the creation of contracts and the rights and
duties that accompany common-law contracts.
Describe the characteristics of negotiable instruments, credit, and
bankruptcy.
Identify types of employment policies and labor regulation.
Outline of Course Topics
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Law and Ethics
The Court Systems
Trials and Resolving Disputes
The Constitution
Criminal Law and Business
Elements of Torts
Business Torts and Product Liability
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H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
Real and Personal Property
Intellectual Property
Contracts
Domestic and International Sales
Negotiable Instruments, Credit, and Bankruptcy
Business Organizations
Employment and Labor Trade
Consumer Protection
Securities Regulation
The International Legal Environment of Business
Methods of Instruction
A.
B.
C.
D.
Lectures
Class Discussions
Reading Assignments
Research Assignments
Evaluation and Assessment
A. Course Grade Assessment
Written Exams
Class participation
Current event articles
In-class assignments
Grades will be earned based upon: A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = below 60%
B. Departmental Assessment of Learning Outcomes
1. The student will demonstrate mastery of elements of law and the
judicial process by correctly answering at least 80% of selected test items.
2. In a designated written assignment, the student will correctly identify
the different types of court systems by scoring at least 80% on the
assignment.
3. The student will demonstrate mastery of elements of basic contracts
by correctly answering at least 80% of selected test items.
4. The student will demonstrate mastery of elements of negotiable
instruments and the credit and bankruptcy process by correctly answering
at least 80% of selected test items.
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5. The student will demonstrate mastery of elements of the employment
process and labor regulation by correctly answering at least 80% of
selected test items.
C.
Use of Assessment Findings
During the Fall In-service of the year following the scheduled review of
BUS 263, a committee will review all course assessment materials
submitted by the instructors and division chair. The committee will send a
report of any recommended curriculum changes to the division chair who
will then submit them to the SLO Committee, a copy will be filed with the
Office of Instructional Effectiveness.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered. Students
who are unable to attend class regularly, regardless of the reason or circumstance,
should withdraw from that class before poor attendance interferes with the
student’s ability to achieve the objectives required in the course. Withdrawal from
class can affect eligibility for federal financial aid.
Statement on Discrimination/Harassment
The College and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to
providing both employment and educational environments free of harassment or
discrimination related to an individual’s race, color, gender, religion, national
origin, age, or disability. Such harassment is a violation of State Board of
Education policy. Any practice or behavior that constitutes harassment or
discrimination will not be tolerated.
XI.
Statement of Adherence to ADA Guidelines
Instructors will adhere to the Americans With Disabilities Act and/or Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) and will publish the following statement on
course outlines given to students at the beginning of each semester: “Any
individual who qualifies for reasonable accommodations under the Americans
With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) should notify
the instructor immediately.”
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