This course gives students insight into the basic theory and applications of business law. Students will be introduced to the American legal system, including alternative dispute resolution. In addition, students will examine the legal and social environment of business. This analysis will cover such topics as contracts, torts, personal property, agency, bailments and crime. Through this course, students should gain an understanding of the principles governing our legal system and how to apply those principles to their own personal and business objectives.

I. Textbook:

Required: Business Law and the Legal Environment For a New Century (Alternate Edition) by Jeffrey F. Beatty, Susan S. Samuelson

I. Course Schedule***:

1/28/04 Introduction

Chapter 1 – Introduction to Law

2/4/04 Chapter 2 – Dispute Resolution

Chapter 3 – Common Law, Statutory Law & Administrative Law

2/13/04 Chapter 4 – Constitutional Law

Chapter 30 – Employment Law

2/20/04 Chapter 5 – Business Torts

Chapter 6 – Negligence and Strict Liability

2/27/04 Chapter 10 – Introduction to Contracts

Chapter 11 – Agreement

3/5/04 Chapter 12 – Consideration

Chapter 13 – Legality

3/12/04 Midterm

3/19/04 Chapter 14 – Capacity and Consent

Chapter 15 – Written Contracts

3/26/04 Chapter 16 – Third Parties

Chapter 18 - Remedies

4/2/04 Chapter 28 – Agency – The Inside Relationship

Chapter 29 – Agency – The Outside Relationship

4/9/04 SPRING BREAK

4/16/04 Chapter 46 – Real Property

4/23/04 Chapter 47 – Personal Property

4/30/04 REVIEW

5/7/04 FINAL EXAM 2

II. Discussion Boards

Each student must participate in the Discussion Board each week. Participation in the discussion board will be worth 10 points each week. In order to receive full credit, you must post an original message in response to the posted question and then respond to at least two of your classmate’s postings. Your original post will be worth a maximum of 5 points and each posting as to a classmate’s post will be worth 2.5 points each. Please note: simply posting “yes” or “no” or “I agree” is not sufficient. In addition, simply rephrasing another student’s response is NOT sufficient. All discussion board postings must be completed by 11:59 p.m. each Wednesday. No credit will be given to late assignments.

III. Quizzes:

Each student must complete a quiz each week. Each quiz will be worth 30 points. The quizzes are multiple choice and most must be completed by 11:59 p.m. every Wednesday. You can take the quiz as many times as you like but only your last score will be recorded (meaning the score that is registered at the time of the deadline)CAN I SET IT UP TO FORBID ACCESS AFTER MIDNIGHT AUTOMATICALLY?. No credit will be given to quizzes completed after the deadline.

IV. Examinations:

Midterm Exam

There will be a Midterm Examination that will take place approximately half way through the semester. The exam will consist of 20 multiple choice, 10 short answer and 1 essay. The multiple-choice questions will be repeat questions from the quizzes taken online during the semester. The short answer and essay questions will relate directly to issues discussed in the text or information from the discussion boards.

The Midterm examination must be taken on-campus at the Testing Center and you will have two hours to complete the exam. Please review the Testing Center’s hours and requirements prior to the test day to ensure your successful completion of the exam. You will have until the close of business on the date list for the Midterm to complete the exam. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UPS unless you have documentation of some sort of emergency.

V. Final Examination:

There will be a Final Examination that will take place at the end of the semester. The exam will consist of 20 multiple choice, 10 short answers and 1 essay. 50% of those questions will be repeat questions from the quizzes taken throughout the semester and question from the Midterm exam. The remaining 50% of the exam will cover only the new material covered since the Midterm exam

The Final examination must be taken on-campus at the Testing Center and you will have two hours to complete the exam. Please review the Testing Center’s hours and requirements prior to the test day to ensure your successful completion of the exam. You will have until the close of business on the date list for the Final to complete the exam. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UPS unless you have documentation of some sort of emergency.

VI. Grading:

Student performance will be evaluated as follows:

Midterm 300 points

Final Exam 300 points

Quizzes 300 points

Discussion Board 200 points

Total 1000 points

900 – 1000 A

899 – 800 B

799 - 700 C

699 – 600 D

599 and below F

Note: Extra Credit assignments will be available throughout the semester

***Course Schedule is subject to revision