THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
SPRING 2010
COURSE NAME:
BUSINESS LAW I, 660.205.02 SHAFFER 2
Section 2 - TUE 6:15 - 9:00pm
INSTRUCTOR:
MARK C. FRANCESCHINI, ESQUIRE
86 East Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157
410-871-9400-office 410-871-9500-fax
markcf2@gmail.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Tue, Wed 530-615 & by appointment Whitehead 104.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Business Law I is designed for the student who is
interested in either (a) a broad knowledge of law as
it relates to modem business, or (b) a survey of
business related aspects of law with a view to further legal studies. This course, together with Business Law II, will provide a complete self-contained,
well-rounded, in-depth study of Business Law, or,
alternatively, will provide a foundation for further
legal study.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Miller & Jentz. Business Law Today. The Essentials , Eighth Edition, West, 2007. ISBN:
978-0-324-65454-7
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Students will-
Demonstrate an understanding of the general goals and objectives of law.
Demonstrate a general understanding of law as a working system within its common law setting
and specifically as litigation.
Demonstrate an ability to frame a case in court; particularly a contract case, a tort case, and a
criminal case, the functions of the Plaintiff and Defendant, and the burden of proof.
Master a general and principled understanding of constitutional criminal and tort law as they relate to business.
Demonstrate an understanding of contracts.
Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of consideration, contract illegality, and various aspects of contractual incompetency
Demonstrate an understanding of breach of contract and the principles of damages for breach of
contract.
Demonstrate an understanding of the Uniform Commercial Code, its relationship to business,
generally, and its modifications of the common law of sales and contracts.
Demonstrate an understanding of warranties and product liability.
GRADING: The final grade for this course will be based upon two examinations, class participation, attendance and two courtroom observations.
The following is an indication of the weight to be given each factor:
Midterm Exam
25%
Final Exam
25%
Class Participation
20%
Attendance
10%
Court room Observations
10% + 10%
No make-up midterm exam will be given. Should a student fail to participate in the scheduled
midterm, s/he will receive zero (0) points for that test. In the event of illness or emergency
properly documented by the student, the instructor may permit the preparation of a paper, in accordance with the specifications set by the instructor, to supplement the exam. The topic for the
paper would be chosen by the student and the instructor.
Note Well: A paper may not be done in lieu of the Final Exam!!!
COURSE CONTENT:
January
26
Introduction/Syllabus/Course Description
Chapter 1
February
2
Chapter 3 and Library trip*
9
Chapters 3- 4
16
Chapter 4
COURTROOM OBSERVATION I DUE
March
April
23
Chapter 6
2
Chapter 6 and midterm review
9
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
23
Review Midterm/ Chapter 7
30
Chapters 7 and 8
6
Chapters 8 and 9
COURTROOM OBSERVATION II DUE
May
13
Chapters 9 and 11
20
27
11
Chapter 11 and 12
Chapter 12 and 13
FINAL EXAMINATION 6:00 – 9:00 pm
* February 2 will include instruction in the Library on Legal Research from 740-855pm
FORMAT: This course utilizes lectures, case studies and problems. Students are required to
read the assigned materials in advance of the class period in which the materials will be discussed. Students are advised to be familiar with the problems at the end of the chapter, as these
may be discussed in class, and possibly appear on an examination. Students will be expected to
participate in class discussions of the materials. Briefing cases and outlining the chapters will
greatly assist in learning of materials.
CHEATING: Students found cheating on an exam will fail the course and will be reported
to the appropriate authority.
HONOR:
Students are on their HONOR to neither give nor receive unauthorized aid in the
completion of case study or courtroom observation assignments. This means that each student
MUST acknowledge any outside sources, with appropriate documentation. This also means that
each student is expected to do his or her own work.
ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all class sessions except in cases of emergency
(e.g., illness, death in family), the advent of religious holidays (the observance of which requires
restriction of daily activity), or when participating in official University functions (e.g., field
trips or athletic events). In the case of absence for special personal reasons other than those mentioned above, it is the responsibility of the student to confer with the instructor about whether the
absence is to be considered as excused. When determining whether to excuse the absence, the
instructor may require documentary evidence as seems fit. ALL ABSENCES OTHER THAN
FOR ILLNESS CAN ONLY BE EXCUSED IF DISCUSSED WITH THE INSTRUCTOR IN
ADVANCE OF THE MISSED CLASS!!!!!
GRADING STANDARDS:
93-100
90-92
87-89
84-86
80-83
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
00-59
Superior
Excellent
Commendable
Good
Conscientious
Satisfactory
Average
Mediocre
Poor
Very Poor
Most Poor
Unacceptable
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Note: Any assignments, other than the mid-term and final exams, must be typed, and if
multiple pages, must be stapled. Any papers submitted that are not typed or stapled will
lose a full letter grade. This is cumulative for papers that are neither typed nor stapled.
DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the course discussions and information, in and out
of class, are not to be construed as legal advice. The professor does not have an attorney/client relationship with any student. Only your attorney can give you legal advice.