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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "LAW 219"
COURSE NAME: "Legal Environment of Business"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session II 2017
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Jessica Magaldi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 11:00AM 12:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Recommended: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides students with an overview of the law in general, beginning with the foundations of the legal and regulatory environment, the law-making processes, and the implementation of legal rules. Students examine some areas of substantive law, including bodies of law that are regulatory in nature. Particular attention is given to aspects of business transactions in an international context.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course provides students with an overview of the law in general, beginning with the foundations of the legal and regulatory environment, the law-making processes, and the implementation of legal rules. Students examine some areas of substantive law, including bodies of law that are regulatory in nature. Particular attention is given to aspects of business transactions in an international context.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Our learning goal is to develop and foster critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills in the context of the study of law. In particular:
· To acquaint students with the basic laws governing such aspects of business as contracts, real property, personal property, employment law and crimes
· To give students a sense of the broader legal environment of business
· To give students a historical perspective on the development of law
· To encourage students to think critically about the law and to consider the ethical implications of business transactions
· To help students develop problem solving and decision making skills in the context of analyzing cases and hypothetical fact‑patterns
· To help students understand law in the context of local, national and global forums
· To help students develop written and verbal communication skills within the context of the study of law
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Anderson's Business Law and the Legal Environment, 23rd Edition | Twomey, Jennings, Greene | Cengage Learning | 978-1-305-57509-7 | | You may buy or rent this edition online or you are welcome to buy an older edition (from the 19th edition on). If you buy an older edition, you are responsible for ensuring that you have the book when our course begins. | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Exam 1 | There will be two exams during the term and a final exam at the end of the term. The final exam will be cumulative. There will be no make-up exams without documented proof of inability to attend the exam due to medical or other emergency reason. Each exam is worth one-third of the final grade. Each student’s final grade will be eligible to be raised or lowered one grade step (e.g., from B+ to A- or from B+ to B) based upon the class preparation, on-call performance, class participation and attendance.
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| Exam 2 | There will be two exams during the term and a final exam at the end of the term. The final exam will be cumulative. There will be no make-up exams without documented proof of inability to attend the exam due to medical or other emergency reason. Each exam is worth one-third of the final grade. Each student’s final grade will be eligible to be raised or lowered one grade step (e.g., from B+ to A- or from B+ to B) based upon the class preparation, on-call performance, class participation and attendance.
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| Final Exam | There will be two exams during the term and a final exam at the end of the term. The final exam will be cumulative. There will be no make-up exams without documented proof of inability to attend the exam due to medical or other emergency reason. Each exam is worth one-third of the final grade. Each student’s final grade will be eligible to be raised or lowered one grade step (e.g., from B+ to A- or from B+ to B) based upon the class preparation, on-call performance, class participation and attendance.
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| Homeworks | Homework is due on the date specified on the syllabus. Homework questions are found in your course packet. Do not complete questions at the end of the chapter. Students are encouraged to bring an additional copy of their homework to class to facilitate note-taking. We will discuss homework in class and it is helpful to have a copy to reference and correct as the discussion progresses. All answers must include the legal reasoning used to reach the answer and must demonstrate clear and concise writing and proper use of English and spelling. | Step Up or Down |
| Class Participation and "On Call" Students | Proper preparation is essential to creating an interesting and engaging learning environment. Students are responsible for reading the assigned chapter in advance of the class where the material will be discussed. Every student should be prepared to be called on in class to discuss any portion of the week’s lesson. In addition, each week a number of students will be designated as “on-call.” These students will be responsible for answering questions and leading class discussion about the previous week’s homework and reading. | Step Up or Down |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cour
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
Class participation is essential so attendance at class is strongly recommended. Because of the nature of the material, it is virtually impossible for a student to do well on the exams without the benefit of the class discussions. Attendance will be taken at every class. According to university policy, you cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Date
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Topic
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Chapter
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Homework Due in Class
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1
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July 3
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Introduction to the Course
Introduction to U.S. Law
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2
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None
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--
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July 4
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No Class – INDEPENDENCE DAY
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2
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July 5
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Foundations of the Legal and Regulatory Environment
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2
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1, 3, 5, 8, 9
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3
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July 6
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Criminal Law and Regulatory Compliance
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7/8
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1, 2, 3, 4, 10
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4
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July 7
Make-Up for July 4
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Criminal Law and Regulatory Compliance
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7/8
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None
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5
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July 10
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Constitutional Aspects of Criminal Law – 4th and 5th Amendment Issues
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7/8
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None
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6
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July 11
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Regulation of Employment through Title VII – Race, Sex, National Origin and Religion
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39/40
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2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14
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7
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July 12
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Equal Employment Opportunity Law – Sexual Harassment
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39/40
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None
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8
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July 13
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Exam #1
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9
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July 17
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Introduction to Contracts
Offer and Acceptance
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12/13
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1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9
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10
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July 18
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Offer and Acceptance
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12/13
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None
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11
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July 19
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Capacity to Consent
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13/14
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1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 11
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12
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July 20
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Genuine Assent
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13/14
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None
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13
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July 24
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Consideration
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14/15
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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12
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14
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July 25
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Breach of Contract and Remedies
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19/20
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2, 4, 6, 10, 11
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15
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July 26
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Exam #2
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16
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July 27
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Personal Property
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20/21
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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12
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17
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July 31
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Bailments
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20/21
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None
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18
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August 1
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Real Property and Property Regulation
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48/49
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2, 4, 5, 6, 10
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19
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August 2
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Intellectual Property – Trademarks and Patents
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9/10
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1, 4, 5, 7, 8
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20
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August 3
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Intellectual Property – Copyright and Fair Use
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9/10
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Beastie Boys and GoldieBlox Controversy
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21
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August 4
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FINAL EXAM
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