COURSE SYLLABUS
BUS 273 1001 - BUSINESS LAW 1
(Independent Study)
Fall 2011
INSTRUCTOR OF RECORD:
Ross P. Eardley
224 Skyline Drive
Elko, Nevada 89801
TELEPHONE:
FAX:
E-MAIL:
(775) 738-3691
(775) 753-5710
wheatie@frontiernet.net
OFFICE HOURS:
Above address or other convenient location on CampusMonday through Friday, by appointment
COURSE SCHEDULE:
There are no class meetings or class discussions. This is an
Independent Study Course. Student will complete the
reading assignments and other assignments in accordance
with the Course Schedule on page 3 of this Syllabus.
COURSE CREDITS:
3
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Law for Business 17th Edition, by Ashcroft and Ashcroft
West Publishing
COURSE PURPOSE: The instruction of business law is the core of any business program. It is
integral to the course of study for students planning to major in management, marketing,
accounting, finance and business administration. The content of Business Law, as with most
introductory law courses, emphasizes contracts and the legal system. By including modules on
the law of sale of goods, agency, business entities, bankruptcy, real property, and inheritance,
students will gain a working overview of law in the world of business.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND SPECIFIC LEARNER OUTCOMES: When students
complete this course of study, they will have acquired a familiarity with and understanding of the
following concepts:
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The law - it’s meaning, sources, purposes, classifications - and the effect of law on business
transactions.
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The nature of contract law, including the importance of contracts in the business world, the
elements of a contract, the rights of third parties, guidelines for interpretation of contracts
and contractual remedies.
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The nature of Uniform Commercial Code relating to the sale of goods, differences between
sales contracts and common law contracts, the duties and rights of buyers and sellers in
contracts for the sale of goods, the relationship of insurable interest, risk of loss, and
passage of title.
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The nature of agency law, including the requirements for the creation and termination of an
agency relationship, the duties of principals and agents, and the factors determining the
liability of principals and agents.
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The nature of real property ownership and transfer and mortgaging, the means by which
property may be acquired and lost, the general requirements relating to the leasing of real
property, mechanic’s liens and their effect on real property.
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The nature and characteristics of business organizations, the nature of bankruptcy law and
inheritance.
In addition to the above, students will also acquire a general knowledge of the Federal and
State court systems in the United States and an understanding of basic court procedures and
terminology.
Students should also be able to analyze and evaluate the legal aspects of common business
transactions and make application of basic legal principles to such business situations and
transactions.
MEASUREMENT OF LEARNER OUTCOMES: Each of the above learner outcomes will be
measured by the following.
1. Written chapter assignments which will require students on a weekly basis to answer in
writing specific questions and problems relating to the legal concepts in each chapter.
2. At the end of each Chapter in the Textbook there are case problems requiring the students
to analyze specific fact situations in relation to the legal principals involved. Students
shall on a weekly basis be required to submit a written analysis of one of these case
problems.
3. Periodic written examinations which will cover each legal topic referred to above.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: This is an Independent Study Course and there will be no
class meetings or discussions; however students will be required to read on a weekly basis the
scheduled Textbook material. The textbook used in the class contains several review questions
and case problems at the end of each chapter. Students will be given assignments on a weekly
basis to turn in written answers to these questions and/or analyze and discuss the case problems.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1.
Completion of all reading assignments: There is a STANDING ASSIGNMENT to read the
text book chapters and any handout material in accordance with the course schedule on page
3 of this syllabus.
2.
Completion of Written Assignments: At the end of each chapter there are approximately 10
review questions. Each student shall answer these questions in writing and turn them in NOT
LATER THAN the week following the schedule date for reading that chapter. THIS IS A
STANDING ASSIGNMENT. Papers turned in after the due date will face possible reduction
in point value.
3.
Completion of Case Problems Analysis: At the end of each chapter in the Textbook,
commencing with Chapter 5, there are several “case problems”. Each student shall select one
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problem from each chapter and not later than a week from the scheduled date for reading that
chapter, shall submit in writing a brief written analysis of the problem selected by the
student. This is a standing assignment. Papers turned in after the due date, will face possible
reduction in point value. Samples of the type of analysis suggested are attache to this syllabus
as Exhibits A and B.
4.
Satisfactorily Completing all Quizzes and Examinations: There will be at least three
interim examinations during the semester and a final examination. The examination will
consist mostly of True/False and Multiple Choice Questions and a few short answer Essay
Questions.
COURSE SCHEDULE: - Fall Semester 2011
Law and Legal System
Week 1 - Chapters 1 and 2 - Week ending Sept. 2, 2011
Week 2 - Chapters 3 and 4 - Week ending Sept. 9, 2011
Week 3 - Continuing Chapters 3 and 4, Test #1 - Week ending Sept 16, 2011
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Contracts
- Chapters 5 and 6 - Week ending Sept. 23, 2011
- Chapters 7 and 8 - Week ending Sept.30, 2011
- Chapters 9 and 10 - Week ending Oct.7, 2011
- Chapters 11 and 12 - Week ending Oct. 14, 2011
- Chapter 13, Test #2 - Week ending Oct. 21, 2011
Sale of Goods
Week 9 - Chapters 14, 16 and 17 - Week ending Oct. 28, 2011
Agency of Business Entities
Week 10 - Chapters 26 and 27 - Week ending Nov. 4, 2011
Week 11 - Chapters 31 and 32 - Week ending Nov. 11, 2011
Week 12 - Chapter 34, Test #3 - Week ending Nov. 18, 2011
Bankruptcy and Real Property
Week 13 - Chapters 40 and 41 - Week ending Nov. 25, 2011
Week 14 - Chapters 42, 43 and 44 - Week ending Dec. 2, 2011
Inheritance
Week 15 - Chapter 45 - Week ending Dec. 9, 2011
Week 16 - Final Test - To be completed not later than Dec. 14, 2011
NOTE: Students as a minimum shall maintain the above Course Schedule and be prepared for
the tests at the times indicated and shall turn in all written Assignments and Case Problems by at
least the dates indicated. If students desire to work faster and turn in written assignments and
case problems ahead of schedule they may do so. If any student has trouble maintaining the
above schedule, I will be open to make any reasonable changes.
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GRADING:
A = 95% and above
A- = 90% - 94%
B+ = 87% - 89%
B = 83% - 86%
B- = 80% - 82%
C+ = 77% - 79%
C = 73% - 76%
C- = 70% - 72%
D+ = 67% - 69%
D = 63% - 66%
D- = 60% - 62%
F = Below 60%
Grades will be determined as follows:
Weekly written Case Problems
Weekly Written Answers to Questions
Unit Test #1
Unit Test #2
Unit Test #3
Final Exam
Total
15%
25%
10%
15%
15%
20%
100%
NOTE: Grade points will be determined as follows:
1. For tests the total possible grade points will be multiplied by the percentage of correct
answers. Thus for example the final exam is worth 20 points toward your grade. If you
got 75% of the answers right, your grade points for the test would be 75% of 20, which
would be 15 points toward your grade.
2. For the written answers to Chapter Questions, the percentage of correct answers for the
entire course, will be multiplied by the total possible grade points which is 25. If you got
80% of the answers correct your grade points would be 80% of 25 which would be 20
points toward your grade.
3. For the written analysis of case problems, the percentage of acceptable answers will be
multiplied by the total possible grade which is 15. Thus if 90% of your answers were
acceptable, your grade points would be 90% of which would be 13.5 grade points.
In connection with these case problems, there is usually no one “correct” answer. Your
answer will be acceptable if it identifies the legal principle involved and how that
principle applies to the facts.
Non Passing Grades are:
F The Grade of “F” is reserved for students who score very low on the exams or fail to
complete course requirements. This grade is not given to those who withdraw from the
class through proper notification to the registrar and the instructor by November 25,
2011. This grade cannot be changed to a passing grade by completion of further work.
I On rare occasions the grade of Incomplete is given if the student, due to circumstances
beyond his or her control, is unable to complete a certain requirement of the course by
the time the semester ends. Any deficiency must be removed within a short period
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after the end of the semester in order to have the “I” grade changed to a passed grade.
W If a student officially withdraws from the class, by notifying both the instructor and
the registrar by November 25, 2011, then a grade of “W” is given. A student may
withdraw from the class for any reason whatsoever.
OTHER POLICIES AND HELPS: “GBC supports providing equal access for students with
disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please
contact the ADA Officer (Julie Byrnes) in Elko at 775.753.2271 at your earliest convenience to
request timely and appropriate accommodations.”
Should you celebrate religious holidays or festivals other than those provided for in the College
Calendar, please inform me in advance so that any conflicts with exams or other course schedule
can be resolved ahead of time and any missed exams or work can be made up. Consult the GBC
General Catalog for policies concerning religious holidays and make-up work.
If you feel you need any other help or special assistance, please let me know as soon as you can.
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EXHIBIT A
Chapter 5 - Case Problem #6
Legal Principle - Rights and obligations will be imposed when a failure to do so would result in
one person being unjustly enriched at the expense of another. This is explained on page 54 of the
text. This is called a quasi Contract. It is not a true contract but is an obligation imposed by law
to prevent unjust enrichment.
Facts: - The tenants in a mobile home park were receiving various utilities such as water, sewer,
garbage, etc. They received these for many years but did not pay for them because they did not
feel they were required to do so. The mobile home park eventually sued them for the value of the
services.
Question; - Were the mobile home tenants legally required to pay for the services even though
there was a misunderstanding about who was to pay?
My Opinion: - I believe that the tenants had to pay on the basis of quasi Contract and unjust
enrichment. The tenants were receiving a benefit at the expense of the Mobile Home Park and so
there would be a contract implied in law for the reasonable value of the services.
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As noted in the Syllabus there may not always be a “correct” answer to these problems. The
court in this case did in fact hold that the tenants were liable, but another court might see it
differently and say the Mobile Home Park was at fault for letting it go so long without doing
anything.
The main purpose of this exercise is to see if you recognize the principle of law and express your
opinion as to how that principle applies to the facts of the case.
It is recognized that even in courts, opinions may often vary.
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EXHIBIT B
Chapter 6 - Case No. 3
Legal Principle: - As a matter of law and business custom, advertisements, window displays,
catalogs, price lists, circulars and other similar things, offering to sell goods at certain prices and
terms, are not true offers and are not binding. They are considered invitations to the prospective
buyers to make an offer, and the original seller can accept or reject the buyer’s offer.
Facts: - A motor car company advertised in a newspaper to sell a certain vehicle at a certain price
with no down payment. A prospective buyer went to the Motor Company and in response to the
advertisement tried to by the vehicle at the advertised price and terms. The company refused,
saying the buyer would have to make a down payment.
The buyer sued the company saying the advertisement was a valid offer which he accepted and
the company was bound to make the sale.
Question: - Was the advertisement a valid offer binding on the car company?
My Opinion: - Based on the legal principle stated above, the advertisement was an invitation to
the buyer to make an offer, and the company could either accept or reject. The company rejected
the buyer’s offer and was not legally obligated to make the sale.
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