Syllabus

School of Business LAW/421 Version 1 Contemporary Business Law

Copyright 2011 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Course Description

This course reviews the U.S. legal system, common law and its development, organizational structures, and the regulatory environment pertinent to business. Students will learn to critically examine torts, crimes, and business ethics. They will also examine contracts; business associations including agencies, partnerships, and corporations; wills, estates, trusts, and other legal entities; securities regulations; and investor protections.

Policies

Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents:

University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending

on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality.

Course Materials

Melvin, S. P. (2011). The legal environment of business: A managerial approach: Theory to practice. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: Introduction to Law

Details Due Points

Objectives

1.1 Define the functions of law in society. 1.2 Define the role of law in business. 1.3 Compare and contrast means for resolving domestic and foreign legal disputes.

Readings

Read Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, & 25 of The Legal Environment of Business. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

Participation Discussion Questions Individual Role and Functions of Law Paper

Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Resource: Case Brief Cipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., et al. in Ch. 2, section 2-6, Commerce Powers, of the text Friday Monday

4 2 5

Write a 500- to 850-word paper in which you define the functions and role of law in business and society. Discuss the

functions and role of law in your past or present job or industry. Properly cite at least two references from your reading.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Week Two: Torts

Details Due Points

Objectives

2.1 Classify the types of torts. 2.2 Assess the different types of and legal protections for intellectual property. 2.3 Analyze the legal issues of e-business to include intellectual property, privacy, ethics, and security.

Readings

Read Ch. 9 & 24 of The Legal Environment of Business. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

Participation Discussion Questions Individual

Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Complete the Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues simulation located on the student website. Friday Monday

4 2 5

Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues Simulation Write a brief summary of the facts of the simulation. It should Summary be no longer than one paragraph. Then in your paper, answer the following questions: (You must cite to at least two sources and use APA format. Word count is at your discretion.)

What are the issues involved in resolving legal disputes in international transactions?

What are some practical considerations of taking legal action against a foreign business partner based in another country?

What factors could work against CadMex's decision to grant sublicensing agreements?

When the local customs and laws conflict with the customs and laws of an organization operating abroad, which should prevail? Explain why.

How would you compare the issues in this simulation to the domestic legal issues discussed in your Week One readings? How should companies resolve domestic and international issues differently? 3

Learning Team Reflection Assignment

Discuss the differences between substantive law, procedural Monday law, criminal law, civil law, common law, and statutory law. Provide examples of each type of law and in what setting those types of law are most likely to be used. Discuss what U.S. Constitution amendments were implemented to protect the rights of businesses and organizations. If possible, discuss how these types of law apply to your current or prospective personal area of expertise

Write a learning team paper detailing the findings of your discussion. The paper should consist of about one paragraph for each type of law. As such, word count should be at your discretion. Everyone on the learning team should address at

least one area of law. The paper should be written in APA format. You must cite to at least two sources. Learning Team Charter Complete the learning team charter Monday 2

Week Three: Contracts

Details Due Points

Objectives

3.1 Analyze the elements necessary to form valid contracts. 3.2 Summarize the legal defenses to contract formation. 3.3 Evaluate the remedies for breach of contract.

Readings

Read Ch. 6, 7, &10 of The Legal Environment of Business. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

Participation Discussion Questions Learning Team Paper

Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Resources: University of Phoenix Material: Case Scenarios: BUGusa, Inc., multimedia link located on the student website and Case Scenarios: BUGusa, Inc., Worksheet Friday Monday

4 2 10

Case Scenarios: BUGusa, Inc.

Use the BUGusa, Inc., scenarios and your research to support your answers to the questions listed in the worksheet, classifying the types of torts in each scenario.

Submit the completed worksheet. Within each section you should identify 1) if any torts were committed; 2) what the tort is and provide a definition of the tort; 3) identify who would be

the plaintiff and defendant; 4) provide an analysis of the liability the defendant may have as a result; 5) make an educated analysis of who would win if there was a lawsuit. Complete the learning team evaluation. Everyone must complete the evaluation and those should be turned in to your individual forum.

Week Four: Uniform Commercial Code Sales

Details Due Points

Objectives

4.1 Compare and contrast common law contracts and the UCC Article 2. 4.2 Analyze the gap filling provisions of UCC Article 2 as they pertain to the essential terms of a contract. 4.3 Analyze the scope and limitations of remedies for contract breaches. 4.4 Differentiate between implied and express warranties under the UCC Article 2.

Readings

Read Ch. 8, 13, 14, 15, & 21 of The Legal Environment of Business. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

Participation Discussion Questions Individual Case Scenario: Big Time Toymaker

Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Read the Theory to Practice section at the end of Ch. 6 of the text. Friday Monday

4 2 10

Answer Questions 1 through 6 based on the scenario in the

Theory to Practice section, and complete the following in your response:

At the end of the scenario, BTT states that it is not interested in distributing Chous new strategy game, Strat. Assuming BTT and Chou have a contract, and BTT has breached the contract by not distributing the game, discuss what remedies might or might not apply.

Explain your answers and refer to Section 7-6 in Ch. 7 for support.

Submit your answers in APA format, although your answers do not have to be in essay format. You should cite to at least 2 sources.

Learning Team Reflection Assignment

Each team member will select a type of contract that they have entered. All of the selections must be for a different type of contract. Each team member should describe the type of contract, the level of negotiation that went into it, the consideration provided for the contract, and any special considerations that the contract may have required. Consider describing any verbal contracts, event contracts, or service contracts that when choosing your example.

Monday

Write one to two paragraphs for each person on the learning team. The paper should follow APA formatting and should make reference to at least 2 sources.

Week Five: Ethics

Details Due Points

Objectives

5.1 Discuss ethical decision making and the challenges to business ethics in todays business environment. 5.2 Identify business activities that may result in criminal liability. 5.3 Analyze the implications of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002).

Readings

Read Ch. 5, 16, & 22 of The Legal Environment of Business. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

Participation Discussion Questions Individual Article Review

You must successfully check in twice (once per day on different days). There are no discussion questions during Week 5. Resource: Article Review Format Guide located on the student website Monday

10

Locate an article specifically related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX Act) of 2002.

Write a 350- to 700-word review of the article. Your review should discuss how the SOX Act may affect ethical decision making in todays business environment, and the criminal penalties for which the act provides.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. You must cite to at least two sources. Individual Final Examination Click the link to the Final Examination on your student website available from the end of Week Four through the end of Week Five. Monday 15

Complete the Final Examination. Only one attempt is allowed,

which is timed and must be completed in 3 hours.

Learning Team Case Scenarios: Grocery, Inc., Paper

Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Case Scenarios: Grocery, Inc., multimedia link located on the student website

Monday

10

Review the case scenarios and questions associated with scenarios.

Write a 350 600 word analysis for each of the seven scenarios answering the questions provided in the scenario. Your paper should be in APA format and cite to at least two sources.

Complete the learning team evaluation. Everyone must complete the evaluation and those should be turned in to your individual forum.

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Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix editorial standards and practices.

Jason Johannes Faculty

University of Phoenix jjohannes@email.phoenix.edu