JACKSON COLLEGE SYLLABUS BUA 250 Business Law I January 19, 2016 through May 3, 2016 Location: JCC North Campus & JetNet Room JNC 101 Tuesday 9:00 am to 10:50 am JetNet - BUA250.H40.WN2016 Instructor: Hank Weber E-mail: hank@frogproductions.com GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Welcome to our classroom and on line sessions of learning and very participative discussion about Business Law from a business manager and consumer perspective. As your course instructor my goal is to move the study of ‘Business Law’ from a textbook observation of how things should for an everyday real world use of business law practices and applications, and clear paralegal communication processes. Our individual learning experiences are much more powerful when we participate fully. We each gain from the observations, perceptions, and workplace experiences of others. I look forward to expanding my understanding through your sharing and active participation. More than anything our ability to succeed and grow depends upon our abilities to work with other individuals and groups toward common clearly understood goals. In this course we will study the field of Business Law to include: Recognizing and correctly using legal terms related to legal systems, courts, torts and contracts Describing the US legal system, its structure and constitutional authority as well as the sources and types of law Explaining the role structure, jurisdiction, and procedures of state and federal courts Identifying and describing the legal elements and defenses of intentional and unintentional torts Identifying and stating legal requirements for creation, performance and breach of general and sales contracts Recognizing legal issues involving business contracts and the applicable legal rules Identifying and using reliable sources of legal information related to course topics BOOKS, SOFTWARE, OR OTHER COURSE MATERIALS: Miller, Roger L (2014) Tenth Edition, Business Law Today, (The Essentials) Mason Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning Chapters 1 – 12 JetNet BUA250.H40.WN2016 - Content to include PowerPoints, Lectures, reading material, assignments and links to related resources 1 TEACHING METHODS: In class and JetNet lectures will be used to introduce, explain and summarize subject matter that is closely aligned with the assigned Text readings. Class room meetings will include very participative discussion of current business activity and legal issues. Your multiple week learning experience will be based upon your active participation as a member of the Rookie Law Team of BUA 250 …aka The Law Rookies. Your basic knowledge of the assigned readings and lectures will be measured by four tests. You will prepare one individual research PowerPoint and present it to the Law Rookies to help us better understand one area of Business Law. You will prepare and submit two Case Briefings. You will prepare, discuss with the class and submit seven Chapter Scenarios. You will be expected to attend the weekly Law Rookies Team class room meetings and will be responsible for submitting your own participation activity reports for these meetings. During five selected Jet Net weeks there will be Jet Net Graded Discussion Forums. ASSIGNMENT, READING & TEST SCHEDULE – Attached to this Syllabus GRADING CRITERIA Graded Activity Points Possible Tests 4 at 100 points each Considerations Max. Points 400 Individual Research Presentation 110 Case Briefings 2 at 65 points each 130 Chapter Scenarios 7 at 30 points each 210 Participation 15 classes at 10 points each 150 Graded Discussion 5 weeks at 20 points each 100 __________________________________________________________ Total Total Grading Points 1100 GRADING SCALE: Point Range 940 - 1000 900 - 939 860 - 899 800 - 859 760 - 799 720 - 759 680 - 719 640 - 679 639 or less Percentage 94% or more 90%- 93.9% 86%- 89.9% 80%- 85.9% 76%- 79.9% 72%- 75.9% 68%- 71.9% 64%- 67.9% 63.9% - 0 % Grade 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 Bonus-Extra Credit: Perfect attendance (at all 15 Participation graded sessions earns 20 extra credit points. FINAL GRADE FOR THE COURSE: Your Final Course grade will be based upon a maximum of 1100 points. You could earn up to 1120 points (1100 grading points plus 20 attendance points), but only a maximum of 1050 points will be used to calculate 2 grades. You are rewarded for perfect attendance and you have 50 grading points to lose without affecting your grade. GRADED ASSIGNMENTS: Please submit all assignments early or on time. All assignments are due on the date specified at the start of each class or on Jet Net by the end of day specified. Unless arrangements are made and approved in advance I do not accept late assignments nor permit makeup tests. If there is an emergency or other important family or work situation that you wish to discuss, please e-mail or call me. Tests There will be four tests covering the Lectures and the reading assignments in the Text. Tests will be composed of multiple choice and short essay questions. Tests are to be submitted via JetNet no later than Friday of the week in which they are listed. 4 at 100 points each Individual Research Presentation) Each student will complete an individual research PowerPoint and present it to the Law Rookies to help us better understand one area of Business Law. This research presentation will be assigned during Week 3 in class and will be presented during one of the scheduled Individual Presentation Days. 1 at 110 points Case Briefings You will research, prepare and submit Case Briefings to the Law Rookies that explain a specific law case, business law situation or a current legal scenario to the members of the group. These case briefings usually will not be presented to the Law Rookies—but will often be the subject of class discussions. Two at 65 points each Chapter Scenarios There will be seven written Chapter Scenarios assigned by the instructor which are to be completed and submitted at the beginning of the class session shown in the assignment schedule. Each Chapter Scenario is to be a minimum of 350 words (unless stated otherwise in the specific Chapter Scenario) and is to include at least two well formatted references – this could be the Text plus one outside research source. 7 at 30 points each Attendance and Participation are graded activities For each of fifteen class sessions you can earn up to 10 points for actively participating with the ‘Law Rookie Team’ discussions and submitting a brief Participation summary of what you learned that day. You will also selfgrade your participation. 15 at 10 points each Jet Net Graded Discussion for weeks 6, 8, 9, 10 & 12 students will Reply to questions by the instructor and the posts of other students. Each substantive post can earn up to 5 points with 20 points possible per week. Posts will be graded within 48 hours. 5 weeks at 20 points each. Format and writing standards All written assignments are to be prepared on either a computer printer or a typewriter. Handwritten assignments will have thirty percent subtracted from the assignment grade. The guidelines for formatting papers are those generally accepted at JCC. Please submit papers which are thoughtful, substantive, well formatted, grammatically correct and free of spelling errors and include a reference listing. Points will be deducted for such mechanical errors. FEEDBACK: Each week I will return graded work to you and post your grades on JetNet. It is your responsibility to keep track of your grade points earned to date. If you have questions about any feedback comments and/or grades please email me within two or three days while matters are still fresh in both of our minds. ACADEMIC HONESTY is expected of all students. Academic Honesty is the ethical behavior that includes producing your own work and not representing the work of others as your own either by plagiarism, by cheating or by helping others to do so. Plagiarism is the failure to give credit for the use of material from outside sources that is submitted as part of your own work. The penalty for plagiarism or academic dishonesty could include a failing grade on the paper, project, report, test or for the course itself. 3 CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS For free tutoring and additional services for academic success, call (517) 796-8415 or stop by the Center for Student Success. Check out the services on the JCC web site at: http://www.jccmi.edu/Success/ Students requiring special assistance, including those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Center for Student Success. This is the first step in acquiring supportive accommodations to help you with your courses. FINAL NOTES: 1. Please arrive at class on time. Class will start promptly as scheduled. If you should have a problem causing you to be late; it is better to attend part of the class than to miss it entirely. If coming late or leaving early is necessary please do not disrupt others already in class. 2. If you are absent from class you are still responsible for all information presented and for turning in, on time, any assignments that are due. It is a good idea to set up one or two “support” class mates to contact for questions and missed information. 3. In the event of a dispute, both students and faculty should follow the JCC Conflict Resolution Policy. This policy is in the Student Handbook. 4. Withdrawals from the class must be made prior to the date posted in the current schedule of classes book. Students who stop attending class without completing and filing a withdrawal form will receive a grade of 0.0. 5. To change from Credit to Audit or Audit to Credit, your request must be completed before the end of the ADD/DROP period for the class. 6. Incomplete grades will generally not be issued. Unscheduled surgery, or similar circumstances, are really the only reasons for requesting an incomplete course grade. 7. If Jackson Community College is to be closed due to weather conditions, local radio stations and the JCC web site will announce such closing. It is the personal responsibility of students to evaluate their own conditions and decide whether it is safe enough to travel to and from the campus. Should a class be cancelled, assignments will be due the next class period. 8. Texting is optional in our classroom. The use of texting and or other electronic communication in the class room is a choice that each student may make. Using texting and other electronic communications in the class room during class hours for non class material can be done for a fee of minus 20 grading points per occasion. This applies for both incoming and outgoing communication be it email, texting or web surfing during time that the class is in session. If personal communication is necessary please leave the class room to handle the communication. 9. I do not accept late assignments nor permit makeup tests. TO CONTACT ME: If you have any questions about the assignments, how to complete them, timing, personal issues, whatever; you can email me at hank@frogproductions.com . You can also call my work number 517-796-8151. The best time to catch me is early in the morning. This phone is answered 8 am to 5 pm EST and has 24/7 voice mail when not answered. Please leave a detailed message as well as let me know how and when to contact you. Phone call messages that just say ‘call me’ will not be returned. You can send a Fax to me at 517-7840785. Email is my preferred method of communication. In an Emergency you can call my mobile phone at 517-917-7191 – be sure to leave a detailed message. ATTACHMENTS: Assignment, Reading & Test Schedule – WN2016 Suggestions for Formatting and Writing Reports and Formal Paper 4 Business Law - Assignment Schedule – WN2016 Week# Date Reading 1. Jan 19 Tues Intro Session & Ch 1 2. Jan 26 Tues Ch 1 & Appendix A Tests-Assignments-Comments Chapter Scenario #1 The US Constitution & Amendments 3. Feb 2 Tues Ch 2 & the Constitution Chapter Scenario #2 Individual Assignments 4. Feb 9 Tues Ch 3 Test #1 Ch 1, 2 & 3 **Due Friday 2/12 JetNet 5. Feb 16 Tues Ch 4 6. Feb 23 Tues Ch 5 Case Briefing # 1 Jet Net Graded Discussion Chapter Scenario #3 SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES from 2/29/16 through 3/6/16 7. Mar 8 Tues Ch 6 Individual Presentations # 1 Test # 2 Ch 4, 5 & 6 **Due Friday 3/11 JetNet 8. Mar 15 Tues Ch 7 Jet Net Graded Discussion Chapter Scenario #4 9. Mar 22 Tues Ch 8 Individual Presentations # 2 Chapter Scenario #5 Jet Net Graded Discussion 10. Mar 29 Tues Ch 9 Jet Net Graded Discussion 11. Apr 5 Tues Ch 7-9 Individual Presentations # 3 Chapter Scenario #6 Test # 3 Ch 7, 8 & 9 **Due Friday 4/8 JetNet 12. Apr 12 Tues Ch 10 Jet Net Graded Discussion Case Briefing # 2 13. Apr 19 Tues Ch 11 Individual Presentations # 4 Chapter Scenario #7 14. Apr 26 Tues Ch 12 Test# 4 Ch 10, 11 & 12 **Due Friday 4/29 JetNet 15. May 3 Tues Last Day of Class (Review & Catch Up) Each of the fifteen Classroom days will have Graded Participation at 10 points per class Jet Net Graded Discussion for weeks 6, 8, 9, 10 & 12 I do not accept late assignments nor permit makeup tests. 5 Suggestions for Formatting and Writing Reports and Formal Papers 1. Content/Development a. All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way. b. Content is comprehensive, accurate, and/or persuasive. c. Major points are stated clearly, are supported by specific details, examples, or analysis, and are organized logically. d. Where appropriate, the paper supports major points with theory relevant to development of the ideas, and uses the vocabulary of the theory correctly. e. There is integration of theory and practice whereby the writer is able to link theories to practical experience (i.e., application to the real world work setting). f. Research is adequate and timely for the topic. g. The context and purpose of the writing is clear (e.g., critique, research, sample memo, business plan, etc.). 2. Organization a. The structure of the paper is clear and easy to follow. b. The paper's organization emphasizes the central theme or purpose and is directed toward the appropriate audience. c. Ideas flow in a logical sequence. d. The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points. e. Paragraph transitions are present and logical, and maintain the flow of thought throughout the paper. f. The conclusion is logical and flows from the body of the paper. g. The conclusion reviews the major points. 3. Format a. The paper, including citations and the reference page, follows JCC guidelines for format. b. The paper is laid out effectively and uses reader-friendly aids (e.g., sections, summaries, tables of contents, indices, appendices, etc.) when appropriate. c. The paper utilizes references appropriately. d. Headings, the use of Italics, etc., aid in the readability of the paper and are not overdone. e. The paper is neat, with attention given to format requirements. 4. Grammar/Punctuation/Spelling a. Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed. b. Spelling is correct. 5. Readability/Style a. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. b. Sentences are well constructed, with consistently strong and varied structure. c. Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of thought. d. Words used are precise and unambiguous. e. The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment. 6. References All articles and formal papers are to include well formatted and complete references to support the material discussed. You should use references for at least six reasons: To give credit to the source of your thoughts and ideas To add credibility to what you are saying. References show that you have researched the subject and the thoughts expressed are not just your opinions You, or the reader, may in the future want to re-visit some information and it would be good to have a specific reference to go to for more information References are expected as part of college assignments Using references requires that you become familiar with research methods and resources 6 Listing and citing references causes you to become familiar with APA formatting guidelines A good seventh reason is that References are required for most college assignments. Thoughts about Written Communications Fifty percent of our success comes from what we know. The other half of our success depends upon how well we communicate what we know to others Ideas worth a million deserve presentation worth the ideas Stephen King, one of America’s most prolific authors is quoted as saying, “The beauty is in the editing”. If Stephen King expects to have to edit and edit what is written, why should we expect to do less? 7