Dominican University, School of Business

 

Course Syllabus, Spring, 2006:

Business Law

 

 

 

Course Title:              Business Law

Course Number:           240-02

Class time/days:         Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00-6:15

 

Instructor:                  Patricia J. Stiles

University phone:        (708) 524-6997; dial 1314 to leave a message

University e-mail:        pstiles@dom.edu

Office hours:              By appointment

 

Course Description:   This course will acquaint students with legal and ethical issues that occur in today’s business environment.  Students will gain a basic understanding of the business law concepts, framework, terminology, and reasoning.  Areas covered include:  torts, crimes, contracts, property, sales, negotiable instruments, bankruptcy, agency and employment. 

 

Textbook:  Clarkson, Miller, Jentz & Cross,

West’s Business Law: Text and Cases, 10th Edition, 2006

 

Expected Learning Outcomes:

 

        Throughout the semester, students are expected to develop:

 

1)    A basic understanding of business law concepts;

2)    The ability to recognize issues;

3)    The ability to apply basic legal principles;

4)    An awareness of, and the ability to apply ethical considerations. 

 

Prerequisites:  None

 

Instructional Methods:

 

Students will learn through lecture, discussion and student presentations. 


 

Course Requirements:

 

1)    Students are expected to have read the assigned material, and be prepared to discuss and apply it in class discussion. 

2)    Attendance at each class is required, since participation is part of the learning process.  In the event of an emergency, the student is expected to contact the instructor as soon as possible (before class), to explain an unavoidable absence.  The student is responsible for making up any missed work.  

3)    An objective test will be given on each unit of study, and a final exam will be given at the end of the term. 

4)    Each student will make a class presentation during the final weeks of the class.  The presentation will not be separately graded, but will allow the student to: further investigate specific areas of interest, provide presentation experience to peers, and to share knowledge with fellow students.

 

Grading

 

75% of the student’s final grade will be the average of the Unit Tests.

25% of the student’s final grade will be Final Exam score.

  

Class participation will be considered in determining the final grade.  Excellent participation can raise a borderline final grade.

 

Grading Scale

 

A      92–100

A-     89-91

B+    87-88

B      83-86

B-     80-82

C+    78-79

C      73-77

C-     70-72

D+`` 68-69

D      63-67

D-     60-62

F       Below 60

 

Academic Honesty.  Students are to observe high standards of academic honesty and integrity as detailed in the Dominican University Student Handbook.


Course Calendar:

Business Law 240-02, Spring 2006

 

 

1)  Jan. 12         Thursday            Introduction

 

2)  Jan. 17         Tuesday             Unit 1: Legal Environment

 

3) Jan. 19          Thursday            Unit 1: Legal Environment

 

4) Jan. 24          Tuesday             Unit 2: Torts and Crimes

 

5) Jan. 26          Thursday            Unit 2: Torts and Crimes

 

        (Jan. 26 is the last day to drop/add classes)

 

6) Jan. 31          Tuesday             Unit 3: Contracts

 

7) Feb. 2            Thursday            Unit 3: Contracts

 

8) Feb. 7            Tuesday             Unit 4: Sales and Lease Contracts

 

9) Feb 9             Thursday            Unit 4: Sales and Lease Contracts

 

10) Feb. 14        Tuesday             Unit 5: Negotiable Instruments

 

11) Feb. 16        Thursday            Unit 5: Negotiable Instruments

 

12) Feb 21         Tuesday             Unit 6:  Bankruptcy

 

13) Feb. 23        Thursday            Unit 6: Bankruptcy

 

14) Feb. 28        Tuesday             Unit 7: Agency & Employment

 

15) March 2        Thursday            Unit 7: Agency & Employment

 

 -- March 7 & 9 – Tues & Thurs      No CLASS, Mid-Semester vacation

 

16) March 14      Tuesday             Unit 8: Business Organizations

 

 -- March 15 – Last day to apply for May, 2006 graduation

 

17) March 16      Thursday            Unit 8: Business Organizations

 

18) March 21      Tuesday             Unit 9: Government Regulation

 

19) March 23      Thursday            Unit 9: Government Regulation

 

 -- Last Day to withdraw from Spring Semester courses

 

20) March 28      Tuesday             Unit 10: Property

 

21)  March 30     Thursday            Unit 10: Property

 

22)  April 4         Tuesday             Unit 11: Special Topics

 

23) April 6          Thursday            Unit 11: Special Topics

 

24)  April 11       Tuesday             TBA

 

 -- April 13         Thursday            NO CLASS, Easter Vacation

 

25) April 18                Tuesday             Student Presentations

 

26) April 20                Thursday            Student Presentations

 

27) April 25                Tuesday             Student Presentations

 

28) April 27                Thursday            FINAL EXAM