Business Law I Syllabus for 2022-2023
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Instructor Information

Office Hours

Phone or Skype (pace.rawlins1) by appointment

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Course

BUSI-2301-004 Business Law I

Prerequisites

Course Description

The course provides the student with foundational information about the U.S. legal system and dispute resolution, and their impact on business. The major content areas will include general principles of law, the relationship of business and the U.S. Constitution, state and federal legal systems, the relationship between law and ethics, contracts, sales, torts, agency law, intellectual property and business law in the global context.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

ISBN 978-1-305-96727-4 (NO ACCESS CODE IN THE HARD COVER BOOK DIGITAL COPY REQUIRED from Cengage to take the chapter quizzes with Mind Tap)

Supplies

3 Ring Binder OPTIONAL 

Student Performance

  • To learn the basic forms of business organizations;
  • To learn pertinent legal terminology;
  • To apply such terminology to legal topics relevant to business;
  • To understand the foundations of legal systems;
  • To understand the foundations contract law; and
  • To develop critical thinking for solving business law problems.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

I. Students and teachers have obligations to each other.

II. What I expect from students:

You will treat everyone in the class with the respect due all human beings.

You will do the work outlined in the syllabus on time.

You will not plagiarize or otherwise steal the work of others.

You will accept the consequences – good and bad – of your actions.

III. What students can expect from me:

I will treat you with the respect due all human beings.

I will treat you as an individual.

I will not discriminate against you on the basis of your identity or your viewpoints.

I will manage the class in a professional manner.

I will try to respond to student email within 24 hours, including weekends and holidays if emailed directly or Cc to my work email at prawlins@rawlinslegal.com. Otherwise, please call my law office at 480-626-2388.

I will pursue the maximum punishment for plagiarism, cheating, and other violations of academic integrity.

I will keep careful records of your performance and progress.

I will make myself available to you for help and am willing to discuss anything even tangentially related to this class, college, law school, or the legal profession.

I will respect the fact that you have lives and commitments outside college, but I do not consider those to be excuses for not being prepared.

If I am notified in advance, I will make every reasonable effort to accommodate particular situations that may arise in your life.

I will make every reasonable effort to accommodate sudden, unexpected, extraordinary situations that are impossible for you to notify me about in advance.

I will maintain confidentiality concerning your performance.

I will provide you with professional support and write recommendations for you, if appropriate.

I will be honest with you.

Your grade will reflect the quality of your work and nothing else.

Grading Criteria

Grading:

Syllabus Test (1) – 5%

Chapter Quizzes (32) - 40%

Tort Wars Video Assignment and Quiz (1)  - 5%

Midterm Exam (1) - 15%

Corporate Social Responsibility Paper (1) - 20%

Final Exam (1) - 15% 

Grading Criteria:

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60 = F

Quizzes: (*Must Have Digital Access Code to Take Quizzes  - Please Contact Cengage for Questions Related to Purchase & Access of MindTap) 

  • •           Generally, there will be 2-3 MindTap 10 Question Multiple Choice and True/False Quizzes to do each week. However, this is a self paced course so you may, and are encouraged to work ahead. 

    •           Chapter Quizzes are one hour and open book

    •           It is your responsibility to complete each assignment by the due date. 

    •           MindTap quizzes Chapters 1-19 are due by October 31st (Halloween) by 11:59 PM. Follow the due dates on the calendar below unless otherwise specified. You can do the 2-3 quizzes per week, or work ahead. Please DO NOT wait until the last momement to complete the quizzes. I will be checking your progress periodically. 

 

  •             MindTap quizzes Chapters 10-32 are due by December 12th by 11:59 PM. Follow the due dates on the calendar below unless otherwise specified. You can do the 2-3 quizzes per week, or work ahead. Please DO NOT wait until the last momement to complete the quizzes. I will be checking your progress periodically. 
  • •           There will be NO Quiz Deadline Extensions given. However, I will waive the three lowest quiz scores to account for the fact that sometime life happens

  • There is a Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-19) the week after Fall Break and Final Exam (Chapters 20-32) at the end of the semester. However your corporate social responsible paper and Final Exam are due the last week of the course, so it is strongly encouraged that you work ahead of schedule to have time to complete all on time

    •           If your computer crashes or you have technical difficulties, email me immediately, and I will decide on a case-by-case basis the appropriate solution. I highly recommend using Firefox as your browser. If you consistently have technical problems, I will insist you complete these assignments in one of AC’s computer labs.

Syllabus Test – Due Monday, August 29th, 2022 at 11:59 PM

20 Question Multiple Choice and True/False test with question from the Course Syllabus. You will be given one hour to complete the test.  

Tort Wars You Tube Video Assignment and Quiz (1) (DUE 10/26 by 11:59 PM)

You have 1 Assignment:

  1. Watch the 9 part Tort Wars You Tube Video by Texas Tech Law School graduate and attorney Mark Lanier. Then take the online quiz and answer 10 multiple choice questions (10%) – I recommend that you take notes while watching to video to use during the quiz. There is a 1 hour time limit on the quiz, but you can take the quiz twice if needed so do not wait until the last moment. Due by Wednesday, October 26, 2022 by 11:59 PM

Midterm Exam - Chapters 1-19 (Due Wednesday 11/02 by 11:59 PM)

  • There will be a Midterm Exam, it will open up during Fall Break.
  • The Midterm is open Book, Open Notes, Open Internet 
  • There will be Multiple Choice or True/False Questions from Chapter 1 through Chapter 19
  • You will have one attempt at the Midterm Exam
  • You will have 3 hours to complete the Midterm Exam once you open it.
  • You must complete the Midterm Exam Once you open it. You cannot start the Midterm Exam, exist out and come back. Once you exit the Midterm Exam, your grade will be submitted as is. 

Corporate Social Responsibility Paper:  (DUE 12/14 by 11:59 PM)

  •        You will be required to find and watch a movie that addresses how a business was socially responsible or socially irresponsible. You will then write a 4-6 page double spaced page paper over your selected movie. Further detailed instruction will be provided by the 2nd week of class.  Folllow the instructions closley to maximize your grade. Also, a Rubric wll be posted on Blackboard that will list my expectations and how I will grade this assignment.  I suggest getting start early on this assignment and not waiting until the last week. Also, feel free to email me if you want me to okay the movie you have selected. I will also post a list of possible movies that can be watched. This will be due the last week of class by Wednesday, Dec 14th by 11:59 PM

FINAL EXAM (DUE 12/15 by 11:59 PM)

  • There will be a Final Exam that will open the morning of 12/12
  • Final Exam is open Book and Open Notes.
  • There will be Multiple Choice or True/False Questions from Chapter 20 through Chapter 32.
  • You will have one attempt at the Final Exam.
  • You will have 3 hours to complete the Final Exam once you open it.
  • You must complete the Final Exam once you open it. You cannot start the Final Exam, exit out and come back. Once you exit the Final Exam, your grade will be submitted as is.

Attendance

Since this is an online class, your attendance each week will be the completion of your quizzes and assignments. You generally have 2-3 Quizzes due each week, so you better get busy now and stay busy until the last week of school in December. That is the nature of an online course. I will be monitoring your progress throughout and will answer any questions you have about the material. PLEASE ask me questions about the material and remember to email me at prawlins@rawlinslegal.com for quicker response times. 

Calendar

 

FALL 2022 16 Week Course

WEEK

DATES

READING FOR WEEK

ASSIGNMENTS / ACTIVITIES

1

Aug 22 –  August 29

*Aug 22nd 1st Day of Class

Class Syllabus and Introductions

UNIT ONE: The Legal Environment of Business

Chapter 1: Law and Legal Reasoning 

Syllabus Test (DUE 08/29)

Quiz - Chapter 1 (Due: Halloween 10/31)

2

Aug 30 - Sept 5

Chapter 2: Courts and Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Chapter 3: Court Procedure 

Quiz - Chapter 2 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz - Chapter 3 (Due: 10/31)

3

Sept 6 – Sept 12

Chapter 4: Business and the Constitution 

Chapter 5: Business Ethics 

Quiz - Chapter 4 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz - Chapter 5 (Due: 10/31)

4

Sept 13 - Sept 19

UNIT TWO: Torts and Crimes

Chapter 6: Torts 

Chapter 7: Strict Liability and Products Liability 

*Assignment – Watch Mark Lanier Tort Wars You Tube Video and Answer 10 Questions

Quiz - Chapter 6 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz - Chapter 7 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz - Tort Wars You Tube Clips and Multiple Choice (Due 10/26 by 11:59 PM)

5

Sept 20 – Sept 26

Chapter 8: Intellectual Property Rights 

Chapter 9: Internet Law, Social Media, and Privacy 

Chapter 10: Criminal Law and Cyber Crime 

Quiz - Chapter 8 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz - Chapter 9 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz - Chapter 10 (Due: 10/31)

6

Sept 27 - Oct 3

UNIT THREE: Contracts and E-Contracts

Chapter 11: Nature and Terminology 

Chapter 12: Agreement in Traditional and E-Contracts 

Chapter 13: Consideration 

Quiz - Chapter 11 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz - Chapter 12 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz- Chapter 13 (Due: 10/31)

7

Oct 4 – Oct 10

Chapter 14: Capacity and Legality 

Chapter 15: Mistakes, Fraud, and Voluntary Consent 

Chapter 16:  The Writing Requirement and Electronic Records 

*Reminder - Review Corporate Social Responsibility Assignment In The Syllabus & Email Instructor Movie Selection if needed

Quiz- Chapter 14 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz- Chapter 15 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz- Chapter 16 (Due: 10/31)

8

Oct 11 - Oct 17

Chapter 17: Third Party Rights 

Chapter 18: Performance and Discharge in Traditional E-Contracts 

Chapter 19: Breach of Contract and Remedies

Quiz- Chapter 17 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz- Chapter 18 (Due: 10/31)

Quiz- Chapter 19 (Due: 10/31)

9

Oct 18 - Oct 24

FALL BREAK

 

10

Oct 25 - Oct 31

*MIDTERM EXAM - OPEN BOOK/NOTES Due: 11/2

Quiz - Tort Wars You Tube Clips and Multiple Choice (Due 10/26 by 11:59 PM

11

Nov 1 – Nov 7

UNIT FOUR: Domestic and International Sales Contracts

 

Chapter 20: The Formation of Sales and Lease Contracts 

Chapter 21: Title, Risk and Insurable Interest 

MIDTERM EXAM - (Due:11/02 at 11:59 PM)

Quiz- Chapter 20 (Due: 12/12)

Quiz - Chapter 21 (Due: 12/12)

12

Nov 8 - Nov 14

Chapter 22: Performance and Breach of Sales and Lease Contracts 

Chapter 23: Warranties 

Chapter 24: International Law in a Global Economy 

Quiz - Chapter 22 (Due: 12/12)

Quiz - Chapter 23 (Due: 12/12)

Quiz - Chapter 24 (Due: 12/12)

13

Nov 15 – Nov 21

UNIT FIVE: Agency and Employment

Chapter 25: Agency Formation and Duties 

Chapter 26: Agency Liability to Third Parties and Termination 

Chapter 27: Employment, Immigration and Labor Law 

Quiz-Chapter 25 (Due: 12/12)

Quiz-Chapter 26 (Due: 12/12)

Quiz-Chapter 27 (Due: 12/12)

14

Nov 22 - Nov 28

*Thanksgiving Holiday Nov 24 - Nov 27

 

Chapter 28:  Employment Discrimination and Diversity 

UNIT SIX: Business Organizations

Chapter 29: Sole Proprietorship and Franchises 

Quiz-Chapter 28 (Due: Monday 12/12 at 11:59 PM)

Quiz-Chapter 29 (Due: Monday 12/12 at 11:59 PM)

15

Nov 29 – Dec 5

Chapter 30: Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships  

Chapter 31: Other Organizational Forms for Small Businesses 

Chapter 32: Corporate Formation and Financing 

Quiz-Chapter 30 (Due: 12/12)

Quiz-Chapter 31 (Due: 12/12)

Quiz-Chapter 32 (Due: 12/12)

16

Dec 6 - Dec 12

Work On/Finish Corporate Social Responsibility Paper

Study for Final Exam 

*Work on Paper and Study for Final Exam 

17

Dec 13 - Dec 16

*Grades due 12/16

Corporate Social Responsibility Paper Due December at by 12/14 at 11:59 PM

Final Exam - Due 12/15 at 11:59

Paper -  (Due 12/14)

Final Exam - (Due 12/15)

 

 

All quizzes are due by the end of day (11:59 PM) on the dates posted above.

Additional Information

FALL 2022 16 Week Course - Important Dates

Aug 22

Sept 5

Classes Begin 

Labor Day AC Closed

Oct 17 - Oct 23

Fall Break AC Closed

Nov 22 

Last Day to Withdraw 

Nov 24 - Nov 27

Dec 16

Thanksgiving Holiday AC Closed

 

Final Grades Due

Syllabus Created on:

08/19/22 11:39 PM

Last Edited on:

08/20/22 7:12 PM