SYLLABUS

 

TROY STATE UNIVERSITY – FORT BENNING

DISTANCE LEARNING

 

LAW 3321   BUSINESS LAW

 Term III, 2002-2003

 

 

Instructor:     Michael A. S. Guth, Ph.D., J.D.

 

Contact Information:

 

                Mailing address:  116 Oklahoma Ave.

                                                Oak Ridge, TN

37830-8604

 

                E-mail address:  mike@@ michaelguth.com

                Work phone number:  865-483-8309

                Fax number:  425-969-2580

 

Required Text:  Twomey, Jennings, Fox, Anderson’s Business Law, 18^th Edition.

 

Course Description:  A study of the various laws, regulations, and rules that make up the legal environment in which modern business operates.

 

 

Course Objectives:  (Upon successful completion of this course, the student should):

 

1.     Be able to write a case brief on any case.

2.     Understand the impact that the Constitution has had on the development of law in the United States.

3.     Understand the legal trends and objectives that impact on business in the United States.

4.     Develop a basic understanding of contract law.

5.     Understand the impact that government regulations have on the public and on business.

6.     Appreciate the impact that public policy can have on business relations.

7.     Develop a basic understanding of ethics in the workplace.  

8.     Gain an appreciation of and understanding of employment law.

9.     Understand contract capacity.

10.  Gain an understanding of dispute settlement law.

 

 

Distance Learning Requirements (You must have access to):

1.        A personal computer capable of running Netscape Navigator 3.0 or above or Internet Explorer 3.0 or above.

2.        Access to the internet with a 28.8kb modem or better

3.        A personal e-mail account that you can access on a regular basis

4.        E-mail software capable of sending and receiving attached file

 

Note:  It is highly recommended that you use your own computer to enroll in this class.  Students who take a distance learning class without their own computer are at a disadvantage.

 

Questions regarding distance learning may be directed to the Distance Learning Coordinator at 706-685-9555 or e-mail dl@tsufb.edu

 

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:  Any student whose disabilities fall within the ADA must inform their instructor(s) at the beginning of the term of any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements of  the course.

 

ON-LINE LIBRARY:  Troy State University on-line library services are available to all currently registered students and be accessed through the TSU-Ft. Benning web site (www.tsufb.edu) or directly at http://tsulib.troyst.edu.  When you get to the Troy State University Libraries home page, click on the word “Remote Services” and follow the instructions.  Problems with accessing the TSU on-line library should be referred to the Regional Librarian, Randy Mueller, 706-660-9102, Mueller@trojan.troyst.edu.

Local libraries are also available.  W.C. Bradley Memorial Library, Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library, North Columbus Branch Library, South Columbus Branch Library, and Library of Phenix City provide library services.

 

Sayers Memorial Library, Bldg. 93, and Donovan Technical Library, Bldg. 4, Rooms 101 and 102, at Fort Benning provide library services and instructions.

 

Fort Benning provides all non-library laboratories, facilities and equipment.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY:   In accordance with the Standards of Conduct in the TSU Bulletin, a student or organization may be disciplined, up to and including suspension and expulsion, if deemed in violation of the STANDARDS OF CONDUCT for the commission of or the attempt to commit this offense:  Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism or knowingly furnishing false information to the university, faculty, or other officers or employees of the university.

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 

Weekly case briefs, end of chapter review questions, two open-book examinations (On-Line), and discussion board participation  (On-line).  Students are expected to post an average of two substantive messages to the discussion board each week.

 

Evaluation and Grading:

 

Weekly Homework / Open-Book Exams (40%), Two Cumulative Open-Book Exams (40%), Discussion Board Participation (20%).

 

                Grading Policy:

                A = 90% to 100% cumulative average

                B = 80 to 89% cumulative average

                C = 70 to 79% cumulative average

                D = 60 to 69% cumulative average

                F = 0 to 59% cumulative average

 

 

Incompletes:

 

A grade of Incomplete will be given in extenuating circumstances only.  Poor planning of course load and class work by a student does not constitute extenuating circumstances.  Failure to show up for any or either part of course will result in a grade of “F.”  A grade of Incomplete will be given only if the student and the instructor mutually agree, in writing, prior to the last day this class meets (Details will include what work is to be made up, how it is to be made up, and when the work is due).

 

Instructional Mode:

 

Topics for the week’s discussion are listed in this syllabus under course outline.  Also, Instructor will post where to find the chapter lectures/discussions topic in the announcements each Monday morning.

 

Attendance:

 

Everyone should be signed on no later than the start of the second week of class.  You are required to comment to the bulletin board at least twice per week. 

 

Course Outline:

 

Week One

Complete the End of Chapter Review Questions for the following chapters of the textbook:

Chapter 1  The Nature and Sources of the Law

Chapter 2  The Court System and Dispute Resolution

Chapter 3  Business Ethics, Social Forces, and the Law

Chapter 4  The Constitution as the Foundation of the Legal Environment

Write case briefs for Berger v. Hanlon, Central Life Ins. Co. v. Aetna Cas. & Surety Co., U.S. v. Lopez, Quill v. North Dakota

 

 

Week Two

Complete the End of Chapter Review Questions for the following chapters of the textbook:

Chapter 5  Government Regulation of Competition and Prices

Chapter 6  Administrative Agencies

Chapter 8  Crimes

Write case briefs for U.S. v. Microsoft, FDA v. Brown & Williamson Tabacco Corp, Rubin v. Coors Brewing Company, U.S. v. Park

 

Week Three

Complete the End of Chapter Review Questions for the following chapters of the textbook:

Chapter 9   Torts

Chapter 10  Intellectual Property Rights and the Internet

Chapter 11  Cyberlaw

Write case briefs for Palsgraf v. Long Island Railway Co., BMW of North America, Inc. v. Gore, Digital Equipment Corp. v. ATI, U.S. v. Czubriski, Bensusan Restaurant Corp. v. King

 

Week Four

Cumulative Exam - covers Chapters 1  - 11 (omitting Chap. 7).  Open Book/Notes, Internet.  Late examinees will receive a 10% grade reduction.

 

Week Five

Complete the End of Chapter Review Questions for the following chapters of the textbook:

Chapter 12  Nature and Classes of Contracts:  Contracting on the Internet

Chapter 13  The Agreement

Chapter 14  Capacity and Genuine Assent

Chapter 15  Consideration

Write case briefs for In Re Hubert Plankenhorn, Papa v. New York Telephone Co., Sofio v. Hughes, Mattson v. Rachetto

                                               

Week Six

Complete the End of Chapter Review Questions for the following chapters of the textbook:

Chapter 16  Legality and Public Policy

Chapter 17  Form of Paper and Electronic Contracts

Chapter 18  Interpretation of Contracts

Write case briefs for Iwen v. U.S. West Direct, Airline Construction, Inc. v. Barr, Moore v. Mohon, El Paso Natural Gas Co. v. Minco Oil & Gas Co.

 

 

Week Seven

Complete the End of Chapter Review Questions for the following chapters of the textbook:

Chapter 19  Third Persons and Contracts

Chapter 20  Discharge of Contracts

Chapter 21  Breach of Contract and Remedies

 

Week Eight

Cumulative Exam covering Chaps. 12 – 21,  Open Book/Notes, Internet.  Late exams will result in a 10% grade reduction.  Complete and submit on-line answers.

 

Week Nine

Complete the End of Chapter Review Questions for the following chapters of the textbook:

Chapter 22  Personal Property

Chapter 34  Checks and Funds Transfers

Chapter 37  Bankruptcy

Chapter 41  Regulation of Employment

 

 

This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class.