Course info

MANHATTAN COLLEGE

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

SPRING 2020

 

COURSE NO. 203    BUSINESS LAW I   DAVID J. VAROLI

Schedule: Meets 6:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on Monday Evenings

Credits: 3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite: At least Sophomore standing

 

Office Hours: Available to answer questions before and after class on Mondays

[Best way to reach me is before and after class.]

Email address: dvaroli02@manhattan.edu

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

The course studies the impact of the law on the business environment. Topics include the nature and sources of law, business ethics, federal and state court systems, crimes, torts, intellectual property, contracts, agency, and the forms of business organizations.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

This is the first half of a two (2) semester course that is designed to provide a foundation in the principles of law with respect to business transactions.

 

LEARNING GOALS / OUTCOMES:

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

-       Identify legal issues arising in a business setting.

-       Apply basic principles of law to resolve legal problems presented in a case.

-       Formulate strategies to comply with laws that regulate businesses.

-       Utilize critical thinking to understand reasoning for court decisions.

-       Respond clearly and effectively to questions raised during classroom discussions.

 

TEXTBOOK:

Anderson’s Business  Law and the Legal Environment – Comprehensive Volume 2017 – 23^rd Edition –          Authors:           David P. Twomey, Marianne M. Jennings, Stephanie M. Greene

·        ISBN10: 1-305-57508-3

·        ISBN13: 978-1-305-57508-0

 

INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

The Course will consist of classroom lectures, case discussions, exams, and written assignments.

 

GRADING POLICY:

The final grade for this Course will be based upon:

ü  Class Participation

ü  Pop Quizzes

ü  Three (3) Exams

ü  Paper

ü  Homework

 

EXAMS:

There will be three (3) exams during the semester worth 25% each. The dates for each exam will be announced in class at least two (2) weeks prior to the exam test date.

·        The exams are NOT cumulative.

 

CASE ANALYSIS – PAPER:

There will be one (1) paper required for the class. The Case Analysis / Paper focuses on the application of legal principles to a factual scenario and will be worth 10% of your grade.

·        The paper will be due on the last (lecture) day of class (last day before the Final Exam).

·        For this written assignment, students may choose one of the following options:

1.      Respond to a sample writing topic (to be distributed).

2.      Prepare a legal evaluation of a personal / business situation that relates to a topic discussed in class.

3.      Write a reaction and analysis to an online news story (newspaper / magazine / blog) that addresses an important and current legal event or legal issue, related to a law topic covered in class.

a)     A copy of the News source MUST be attached to the paper.

·        Papers will be graded on:

1.      Ability to provide a concise summary of the factual and legal issues presented.

2.      Ability to apply relevant legal principles to the facts, and logically explain the probable (and/or best) outcome, using concepts learned in class.

3.      Ability to reference, where appropriate, to specific portions of the text bearing on the topic of the paper.

·        Paper Format for a written case brief is as follows:

1.      FACTS – Write a brief summary of the facts. Be concise and eliminate any facts that are not relevant to your analyses (see below).

2.      ISSUE – Identify what the main legal issue is presented. For example, what are the parties fighting about and what will they ask the court to decide?

3.      RULES – Explain what are the relevant legal rules the court may use to make its decision. For example, reference the topic that was discussed in class that pertains to the issue identified above.

4.      ANALYSIS – Examine the facts in light of the relevant legal rules and consider all possible sides to the argument. Use logical reasoning to determine the likely outcome of the case and state the basis for your consideration.

·        Paper length should be approximately three (3) typed pages long, double space, ARIAL font Size 10.

 

POP QUIZZES / HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:

There will be Pop Quizzes and/or Homework Assignments during the course of the semester. They will cover subjects addressed in the readings up to date of the quiz. The Pop Quizzes and/or Homework Assignments will be worth 10% of your grade.

 

CLASS PARTICIPATION:

The remaining 5% of the final grade may be awarded based upon Active & Positive Class Participation, and responsible attendance to all classes. Since class only meets once a week, class attendance is important (PLEASE SEE BELOW).

·        There are no “wrong” questions.

GRADING SCALE:

The tentative grading scale for the Course is as follows:

A          93% and above

A-         92% to 90%

B+        89% to 87%

B          86% to 83%

B-         82% to 80%

C+        79% to 77%

C          76% to 73%

C-        72% to 70%

D+        69% to 65%

D          64% to 60%

F          Below 60%

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance will be taken before each class. As this Class is only one (1) night per week (Mondays), it is necessary to attend class to comprehend the material.

·        If you must miss a class, then you must contact me.

·        When a student has four (4) unexcused absences, then I am required to notify the Dean of the School.

·        Repeated absences will adversely affect your grade.

 

MANHATTAN COLLEGE POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

All types of academic fraud and misrepresentation, including improper passing or receipt of information during examinations (through any means, including digital or electronic), use of unauthorized sources of information during examinations (including phones), dishonest presentation of laboratory data, willful plagiarism in the presentation of reports or computer programs, unauthorized transmission or receipt of examination material before an examination and tampering with the grading process after submission of course material are subject to academic penalties. For more details, please consult your Manhattan College Student Handbook.

·        Video or audio recordings by any type of device during any class is NOT permitted.

 

 

 

BUSINESS LAW I CONTENT OUTLINE:

 

CHAPTER	DATE	TOPICS
1	01.21 Tuesday is Monday	Nature and Sources of Law
2	01.21 Tuesday is Monday	Court System
3	01.27	Business Ethics
4	01.27	Constitution as the Foundation of the Legal Environment
7	02.03	Crimes
8	02.10	Torts
02.17		EXAM # 1
9	02.24	Intellectual Property Rights and the Internet
11	03.02	Contracts – Nature & Classes
12	03.02	Formation of Contracts: Offer and Acceptance
13	03.09	Capacity and Genuine Assent
14	03.09	Consideration
15	03.09	Legality and Public Policy
03.23		Review Exam # 2
03.23		Discuss Paper Requirements
03.30		EXAM # 2
16	04.06	Writing, Electronic Forms and Interpretation of Contracts
18	04.15 Wednesday is Monday	Discharge of Contracts
19	04.15 Wednesday is Monday	Breach of Contract and Remedies
REMINDER – DRAFT OF PAPER SHOULD BE WRITTEN
36 - 37	04.20	Agency and Third Persons in Agency
40	04.27 1st Part of Class	Types of Business Organizations / Sole Proprietor/Partnerships / Corporations / LLCs
04.27 2nd Part of Class		Review Exam # 3
05.04		EXAM # 3
CLASS PAPER DUE