Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues Simulation Summary

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 week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Individual
Mini-Autobiography Write a mini-autobiography following the instructions in the Week One materials and post it to Chat. Day 1 DONE
Individual
Ready to Go Write a ready to go message following the instructions in the Week One materials and post it to your Individual Forum. Day 2 DONE
Individual
Role and Functions of Law Paper Resource: Case Brief Cipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., et al. in Ch. 2, section 2-6, “Commerce Powers,” of the text

Write a 700- to 1,050-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. Day 7 5-DONE
Participation/Weekly Summaries-DONE Participate in class discussion.

NO WORD COUNT 4 of 7 days 4-DONE

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 week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Individual
Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues Simulation Summary Complete the Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues simulation located on the student website.
Write a 350-word summary. In your paper, answer the following questions:

• 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? Day 7 15
Learning Team
Article Review/Peer Evaluation-DONE Locate an article in the University of Phoenix Library specifically related to intellectual property and the America Invents Act.

Write a 350- to 700-word review of the article. Your review should assess the changes made by the AIA.

Format your paper using the Article Review Format located in Course Materials. Day 7 5-DONE
Participation/ Weekly Summary-DONE Participate in class discussion.
TUES-DONE WED-DONE THURS-DONE FRI-DONE
NO WORD COUNT 4 of 7 days 4-DONE

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.
3.4 Compare and contrast common law contracts and the UCC Article 2.
3.5 Analyze the gap filling provisions of UCC Article 2 as they pertain to the essential terms of a contract.
3.6 Analyze the scope and limitations of remedies for contract breaches.
3.7 Differentiate between implied and express warranties under the UCC Article 2.
Readings Read Ch. 6, 7, 8, & 21 of The Legal Environment of Business.
Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Learning Team
Case Scenarios: BUGusa, Inc./ Peer Evaluation Resources: University of Phoenix Material: Case Scenarios: BUGusa, Inc., multimedia link located on the student website and Case Scenarios: BUGusa, Inc., Worksheet

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. Day 7 10
Participation/ Weekly Summaries Participate in class discussion.
TUES-DONE WED- THURS- FRI-

NO WORD COUNT 4 of 7 days 4

Week Four: Agency and Business Entities Details Due Points
Objectives 4.1 Analyze the relationship between principals and agents.
4.2 Compare and contrast the various available business entities.
Readings Read Ch. 10, 13, 14, & 15 of The Legal Environment of Business.
Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Individual
Case Scenario: Big Time Toymaker Read the “Theory to Practice” section at the end of Ch. 6 of the text.

Answer Questions 1 through 6 based on the scenario in the “Theory to Practice” section, and the following 7th question:

7. At the end of the scenario, BTT states that it is not interested in distributing Chou’s 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. Day 7 15
Learning Team
Business Entity Matrix/ Peer Evaluation Develop a matrix that compares and contrasts the characteristics of the various types of business entities. Use the University of Phoenix Material “Business Entity Matrix Format” located in Course Materials as the basis for your matrix. In each of the squares of your matrix, describe the characteristics that apply to the listed issue and the listed business entity. Day 7 5

Participation/ Weekly Summaries Participate in class discussion.

NO WORD COUNT 4 of 7 days 4

Week Five: Ethics Details Due Points
Objectives 5.1 Discuss ethical decision making and the challenges to business ethics in today’s 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 week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
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.

Complete the Final Examination. Only one attempt is allowed, which is timed and must be completed in 3 hours. Day 7 15
Learning Team
Case Scenarios: Grocery, Inc., Presentation/ Peer Evaluation Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Case Scenarios: Grocery, Inc., multimedia link located on the student website

Review the case scenarios and questions associated with scenarios.

Answer the questions using a format similar to the BUGusa worksheet. An APA formatted paper is not required nor is a Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation or speaker notes. Day 7 10
Participation/ Weekly Summaries Participate in class discussion.

NO WORD COUNT 4 of 7 days 4

Discussion Questions

Week One Discussion Questions; Pick any two to provide an original response to. Due Tuesday and Thursday. You may do more if you desire.

• To what extent does succession planning—such as for wills, estates, and trusts—affect business? How might these legal topics interact with your current or past job or industry?

• What are the three branches of government and their functions? How are powers balanced in the U.S. government? How does each branch of government make laws? Provide examples.

• What are some examples of alternative dispute resolutions (ADRs)? What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with ADR versus litigation? What are some examples of arbitration that can occur in your professional and personal life? Explain.

• What are the differences between substantive law, procedural law, criminal law, civil law, common law, and statutory law? Provide examples of each. What U.S. Constitution amendments were implemented to protect the rights of businesses and organizations?