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
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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
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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.
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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
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
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.
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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
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
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?
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