Bus 201 Online M Chaplin Winter 2015

Instructor: Michael E. Chaplin
Office: Olympus 134
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00PM – 7:00PM, and by appointment.
E-mail: mchaplin@everettcc.edu

Textbook: Business Law with UCC Applications, Brown, Gordon & Sukys, Paul, 13th Edition. ISBN: 978-0-07-352495-5. You can purchase or rent the textbook at the EvCC bookstore. You will use the textbook extensively, so obtain a copy without delay.

COURSE INFORMATION - BUS&201, Business Law, 5.0 credits, Winter Quarter 2015

Course Description

Business Law provides an overview of American law and the American judicial system as they relate to the operation of a business. The course will cover the origin, evolution, structure, functions, and significant concepts of law and the judicial system. Topics covered will include contracts, agency, torts, the Uniform Commercial Code, employment law, property and landlord tenant law, trusts and estates, constitutional law, forms of business organization, consumer legislation, and crimes. The course will emphasize the rights and obligations arising from entering into contracts.

How to Contact the Instructor

You can contact me by leaving a message in the discussion forum labeled “Questions for Michael.” This forum is located in the “Modules” section of the online classroom. I will check that forum frequently. That is the best way to get a quick response from me, and other students in the class who have the same question can also read my response. However, if your question is confidential, or otherwise inappropriate for the classroom, send me an email message on Canvas. The email function is located in the “Inbox” tab at the top of the classroom.

Course Learning Objectives

College-wide core learning outcomes. The college has seven core learning outcomes that each graduate should achieve. This course will emphasize the following three core learning outcomes:
Engage and take responsibility as active learners: Students will be directly involved in the learning process as they gain deeper levels of understanding of the subject matter. They will take an active role in their learning experience.
Think critically: Students will develop and practice analytical and problem-solving skills. Using creativity and self-reflection, they will be able to engage in inquiry that produces well-reasoned, meaningful conclusions.
Communicate Effectively: Students will cogently express themselves in class discussion and written assignments.
Course-specific learning outcomes. This course will prepare students to

1 Explain the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business.
2 Describe encounters leading to torts.
3 Explain the essentials of a rudimentary binding contract.
4 Describe the consequences of a contract breach.
5 Describe forms of business organization (proprietary, partnership, corporation).
6 Describe agency principles and interactions.
7 Describe product liability issues and their impact on business.
8 Describe the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
9 Describe basic laws that apply to the employment setting.
10 Describe property law concepts, including landlord tenant law.

Course Requirements

This course requires a significant amount of reading, analysis, writing, and discussion each week. To fulfill the course requirements, you must complete all of the following.

1 Reading Assignments: You will read and study at least two chapters from the textbook each week along with each chapter’s corresponding Power Point presentation. The Power Points, along with recommended videos, are posted in Canvas.
2 Discussion Forums: Each week you must complete the discussion assignment(s) related to that week’s readings. These assignments will be worth 10 points each week for 100 points for the course.
3 Legal Analysis Papers: You will write two legal analysis papers. These short papers will give you an opportunity to apply the legal analysis you learn in the class. Each paper will be worth a maximum of 50 points. One may be a group project.
4 Tests: You will take three tests. Each test will be worth 100 points.
5 Extra Credit: You may do one of the following assignments for up to 20 points. Prepare a typed report and submit it to the drop box labeled “Extra Credit” in the Modules section of our Canvas classroom by midnight of the due date shown in Canvas. Your choices are:
Visit a superior court proceeding and write a two-page memorandum concerning your observations and comments.
Interview (preferably in person, but can be by phone) a local practicing attorney or judge, and write a two-page written commentary (memorandum) of the interview. The interview may not be done online (e.g., via email or instant messaging) or via texting.
The extra credit is governed by the following: Grading will be based upon completeness, conciseness, and clarity of expression. The memorandum/summary must be word-processed, single-spaced, times new roman, 12 point font. Neatness and organization also count. Deductions will be made for poor grammar, spelling and sentence structure, as well as for failure to follow the designated format and posting instructions.

Late assignments will not be accepted, unless arrangements have been made with me, and are subject to points deduction. Please let me know in advance of the due date if you foresee a problem turning in an assignment in a timely fashion, or have any question about how to do so that is not answered above or in the assignment.

Course Policies

Computer Issues: This course is taught using the CANVAS online course management system. Consequently, you must have daily access to a reliable, working computer with CANVAS-accessible Internet access. You must also have updated virus protection on-board at all times. Lack of technical capability is not a justifiable excuse for missing an assignment deadline. Computer or software malfunctions also cannot be used to excuse late work.

Your instructor is not responsible for and cannot support personal computers and other personal electronic devices. The student is expected to know how to troubleshoot personal computer problems and have a working computer with stable internet service and access to EvCC email and CANVAS (used by EvCC to support online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses). It is also recommended every student regularly back up computer files to either an external hard drive or USB drive.

Even if you are computer literate but are new to CANVAS, recognize that you may still have a learning curve. If you have problems, please make sure that you ask questions proactively (especially to other students who may have already experienced and solved the problem you’re dealing with), be patient with yourself as you learn, and utilize the multitude of resources that the EvCC Distance Learning Department offers. You can access help by contacting eLearning at http://www.everettcc.edu/elearning/ or by calling the EvCC helpdesk at (425) 388-9367.

Late Work: You must complete all assignments and tests during the week and on the day they are due. If you miss a deadline you lose those points.

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is highly valued at EvCC. You must always submit work that represents your original words or ideas. You must cite all relevant sources and make clear the extent to which outside sources were used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications. Full blown citations aren’t necessary. If you’re using the text as a source it is okay to cite a page number. Taking credit for the work of others may result in being failed for the course.

Accommodation for Disabled Students: EvCC will make reasonable accommodations for a person with documented disabilities. Students should notify the Center for Disability Services about any special needs. I should be notified as soon as possible after documentation and an accommodation have been approved by the Center.

Assessment

Course requirements and the specific point values used to assign final grades are detailed below.

Point Values for Coursework:

COURSEWORK
Points Possible
Discussion Forums (10) @ 10 points each
100
Tests (3) @ 100 points each
300
Legal Analysis Papers (2) @ 50 points each
100
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE
500
Extra Credit
20

Your final grade will be calculated by dividing the number of points you receive during the quarter by the maximum number of points possible (this results in your percentage score). Your percentage score will then be converted to a letter grade based on the letter grading system below.

Grading Scale: A 93 – 100%
A- 90 – 92%
B+ 88 – 89%
B 83 – 87%
B- 80 – 82%
C+ 78 – 79%
C 73 – 77%
C- 70 – 72%
D+ 68 – 69%
D 63 – 67%
D- 60 – 62%
F 0-59

The following resources may prove helpful:
The Purdue University Writing Lab. Available: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/.
American Psychological Association. Electronic reference formats recommended by the American Psychological Association (online). Available: http://www.apastyle.org/apa-style-help.aspx
University of Wisconsin. Academic writing: Quoting and paraphrasing (online). Available: http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/QuotingSources.html.
Strunk, W. (1999). The elements of style (online). Available: http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html.
COURSE CALENDAR/SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS

This is a tentative schedule. The course will follow this schedule fairly closely, but we may cover the material more rapidly or more slowly than indicated. I may modify the schedule to meet the needs and interests of the class. The dates for the various assignments (tests, papers, etc.) will be posted in Canvas. Generally, you will have at least three days to complete an assignment. It is your responsibility to complete all assignments and be familiar with all material. Chapter readings should be completed before the start of class. The Power Points, along with recommended videos, are posted in Canvas.

Week 1

Read Chapter 1 and corresponding Power Points: Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Law
Read Chapter 2 and corresponding Power Points: Sources of the Law

Week 1 Discussion Forum

Week 2

Read Chapter 3 and corresponding Power Points: The Judicial Process and Cyber-procedure
Read Chapter 4 and corresponding Power Points: Alternative Dispute Resolution

Week 2 Discussion Forum

Week 3

Read Chapter 5 and corresponding Power Points: Criminal Law & Cybercrimes
Read Chapter 6 and corresponding PowerPoints: Tort Law & Cybertorts

Week 3 Discussion Forum

Complete Test #1 on Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Week 4

Read Chapter 7 and corresponding Power Points: The Essentials of Contract Law
Read Chapter 8 and corresponding Power Points: Offer, Acceptance, and Mutual Assent

Week 4 Discussion Forum

Week 5

Read Chapter 9 and corresponding Power Points: Consideration and Cyber-Payments
Read Chapter 10 and corresponding Power Points: Capacity and Legality: The Final Elements

Week 5 Discussion Forum

Legal Analysis Paper 1

Week 6

Read Chapter 11 and corresponding Power Points: Written Contracts and Cyber-Commerce
Read Chapter 12 and corresponding Power Points: Third Parties, Discharge, and Remedies

Week 6 Discussion Forum

Week 7

Read Chapter 13 and corresponding Power Points: Sales Contracts: Formation, Title, & Risk of Loss
Read Chapter 14 and corresponding Power Points: Sales Contracts: Rights, Duties, Breach, and Warranties
Read Chapter 15 and corresponding Power Points: Product Liability and Consumer Protection

Week 7 Discussion Forum

Test #2 on Chapters 7-15

Week 8

Read Chapter 22 and corresponding Power Points: Agency Law
Read Chapter 23 and corresponding Power Points: Employment Law

Legal Analysis Paper 2

Week 8 Discussion Forum

Week 9

Read Chapter 25 and corresponding Power Points: Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships
Read Chapter 26 and corresponding Power Points: The Corporate Entity

Week 9 Discussion Forum

Week 10

Read Chapter 30 and corresponding Power Points: Real Property and Landlord Tenant Law
Read Chapter 31 and corresponding Power Points: Wills, Trusts, and Advanced Directives

Week 10 Discussion Forum
Extra Credit Assignment Due

Week 11

Test #3 on Chapters 22, 23, 25, 26, 30 and 31