Business Law

Course Syllabus Spring of 2007

 _________________________________________

 

MASTER COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Number and Title:                                                 MG211   Business Law

Credit Hours:                                                                       4 Qtr

Course Prerequisites:                                                None

 

Instructor Name and Credentials:                Michael Bootsma, J.D., C.P.A.

Instructor Contact Information:                                Phone:  319-400-0749

                                                                        Email:  bootsmam@hotmail.com

                                                                                    mbootsma@aegonusa.com

                                                                                    (Put both emails in the address line). 

 

NOTE:  You are expected to attend every scheduled class session and exam. If you experience a conflict or illness, you are expected to contact your instructor prior to the absence. If your first absence is not documented, you will receive an e-mail, postcard or call from your instructor. If you miss two or more class sessions, you will be contacted by a Hamilton administrator or academic advisor. Please bring any unavoidable conflicts or absences to the attention of your instructors and advisors immediately so we can assist you in your academic success.

 

Course Materials:                                         Clarkson, Miller, Jentz, Cross (9th) West Business                                                                                Law. West/Thomson Learning, 2004.

 

Course Day and Time:                                              Saturdays 8:00 a.m.. – 12:00 p.m.

                                                                                        January 8 – March 23. 

 

Final Exam:                                                    March 21 at  4 p.m.

 

Course Description:

This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of the legal system as they apply to business activities. 

 

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the business administration program students will be able to:

  1. Utilize various software applications appropriate to the business environment.
  2. Analyze and record business transactions using manual and computerized accounting systems.
  3. Organize thoughts, ideas, and information effectively and correctly using the appropriate strategies to develop and present written and oral messages.
  4. Use problem solving, cognitive, logical, and critical thinking skills to develop a practical understanding of the role each plays in the business environment.
  5. Demonstrate strategic, tactical, and operational planning based on economic and social conditions and their impact on business.
  6. Analyze, conduct research, and create a business plan that incorporates accounting, finance, marketing, management, leadership, business, and human resource skills.

 

Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the legal process and court system from original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court.
  2. Compare and contrast crimes and torts and determine the elements to establish negligence.
  3. Identify and assess the elements of contracts.
  4. Discuss the components of a defective contract and ensuing remedies.
  5. Evaluate ethical and legal principles within the social and business environments.

 

General Education Outcomes Re-Enforcement in this Course:

  • Students will review topics relevant to the course outcomes.
  • Students will practice academic or professional writing on topics relevant to the course materials.
  • Students will present their papers, case studies or other writings to the class.
  • Students will express themselves and their ideas through class discussions.
  • A strengths quest activity will help each student to value his or her own contributions as well as the contributions of others.
  • Using business law principles, develop critical thinking skills.

 

 

Course Outline:   (THIS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION). 

 

Course Outline

Date:

 In-class Activities Planned:

Readings/Material Covered:

Evaluation

Exam

Week 1

Chapters 2, 3 &4

Chapters 1 -4

Quiz

 

Week 2

Chapters 5, 6, & 9

Chapters 5, 6, and 9

Quiz

 

Week 3

Chapters 10, 11, & 12

Chapters 10, 11, & 12

Quiz

 

Week 4

Chapters 13, 14, &15

Chapters 13, 14, &15

Quiz

 

Week 5

Chapters 19 & 20

Chapters 19 & 20

Quiz

Yes

Week 6

Chapters 24 & 27

Chapters 24 & 27

Quiz

 

Week 7

Chapters 28, 30 &31

Chapters 28, 30 &31

Quiz

 

Week 8

Chapters 33, 34 & 41

Chapters 33, 34 & 41

Quiz

 

Week 9

Chapters 46, 48 & 50

Chapters 46, 48 & 50

Quiz

 

Week 10

Final

 

 

*Final

 

Your two lowest quiz scores will be dropped.   Generally there will be a quiz each week covering the material discussed that day.  Class attendance is key. 

 

Exam 1 will cover Chapters 1-6 and 9-15. 

Final Exam will cover Chapters 19,  20,  24,  27,  28,  30,  31  33,  34,  41,  46,  48,  50. 

 

Presentations will be schedule throughout the semester. 

 

Program Capstone / Outcomes Re-Enforcement:

Hamilton courses help students master skills necessary for successful careers.  Course and program outcomes represent the collaborative process of faculty, administration, and industry Advisory Committees.

 

In this course the skills, knowledge and understanding developed are specifically intended to help students achieve program outcomes.  This course will prepare students for the following additional course(s): MG299 Business Seminar.  This class prepares students by introducing or reviewing:

  • Legal terminology
  • Applying business law principles to an individual business
  • Analyzing legal situations and challenges faced by businesses

 

StrengthsQuest Activities:

The profession of law requires a wide variety of skills and talents.  In groups of 3-4 highlight 2-3 signature strengths per person and explain how these strengths would help a person in the field of business law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Evaluation:.

 

            Professionalism               60 points           12%

            Case Presentation                     100 points          20%

            Quizzes                                    140 points          28%

            Tests                            200 points          40%

            Total                            500 points        100%

 

Participation and Professionalism are part of each student’s grade.  As an educational institution designed to help students acquire and maintain viable employment, we strive to teach professionalism to our students.  To be professional, a sense of responsibility and accountability must be displayed.  Each student is expected to:

 

  • Arrive on time to each class session.
  • Be prepared for each class session.
  • Complete all assigned work on time.
  • Participate in each class session.
  • Show respect for diversity of people, opinions and cultures.
  • Dress appropriately for an academic setting.
  • Turn off cell phones, pagers and other distracting devices during class.
  • Not engage in disruptive behavior in the classroom including arguments, quarreling, or fighting.
  • Treat all persons at Hamilton College, whether fellow students, administrative staff or faculty, with the same respect and       understanding they would like to receive. 
  • Not display behavior, speech, or body language that would make anyone feel threatened.
  • Refrain from using profane, offensive or inflammatory language.

 

Make Up Work Policy:

Students are expected to attend every class session, to participate in class discussions, and to complete class activities on the date scheduled.  No in-class activities, labs, quizzes, or assignments can be made up. During the term, one test/exam can be made up if the instructor is contacted before class. An alternate version of the exam may be given. The scheduling of the make up exam is at the discretion of the instructor.

 

Late Work Policy:

Students are expected to submit all outside-of-class assignments and projects on the due date as listed in the course syllabus. The College acknowledges that at times extenuating circumstances occur, so late work or alternative assignment will be accepted up to one week after the original due date. One letter grade will be deducted for any late assignment. The instructor may require an alternative version of the assignment be submitted.

 

Attendance:

Hamilton College follows the guidelines of the attendance/tardiness policy as stated in the College catalog.

 

Cheating and Plagiarism:

Policies will be enforced in accordance with the academic “Conduct” section in the current Hamilton College catalog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hamilton College Grading Scale:

The grading system listed below is used for all courses. Letter grades are used for transcripts.

 

Grade

Scale

Points

 

Grade

Scale

Points

 

Grade

Scale

Points

A

93% - 100%

4.0

 

D+

67% - 69%

1.3

 

CC

Clep Credit

N/A

A-

90% - 92%

3.7

 

D

60% - 66%

1.0

 

EC

Experient. Credit

N/A

B+

87% - 89%

3.3

 

F

0% - 59%

0.0

 

I

Incomplete

N/A

B

83% - 86%

3.0

 

W

withdrawal

N/A

 

P

Pass

N/A

B-

80% - 82%

2.7

 

WP

withdrawal pass

N/A

 

S

Satisfactory

N/A

C+

77% - 79%

2.3

 

WF

withdrawal  fail

0.0

 

U

Unsatisfactory

N/A

C

73% - 76%

2.0

 

No Grade

 

N/A

 

TC

Transfer Credit

N/A

C-

70% - 72%

1.7

 

AU

Audit

N/A

 

R

Repeat

N/A

 

Instructor’s Comments:

This syllabus is subject to change!

 

 Class attendance is key!

 

 

Academic Success Center:

Students who find themselves falling behind in classes who need some assistance with time management, need a little extra help with an assignment or project for class, or need someone to proofread compositions should make an appointment with an Academic Success Center staff member.  Instructors may make a formal referral to the Academic Success Center if they feel that a student needs additional assistance and support in any subject area.  The Academic Success Center Director will follow up with students when such a referral is made.