Course Name: Business Law Salesianum School 2005-2006
Course Number: 915-01 Room: A033
Instructor: Ted Godfrey, CPA
Contact Information: e-mail: tgodfrey@salesianum.org Phone: 654-2495 Ext. 247
Course Description: The basic elements of our legal tradition as they affect business relationships are studied in this course. The emphasis is on the application of legal principles as adopted by the Uniform Commercial Code to the individual's rights and obligations in practical business situations. Topics covered include: Criminal law, Civil law, Arbitration and Mediation, different types of Crimes, torts, laws for minors, contracts, real property, personal property, and wills.
Text: Law for Business, 14th Edition published by South-Western Publishing Co. in 1995.
Required Materials needed for the class:
Grading Policy: Grades are determined by the number of points earned divided by the number of possible points. There are four components involved in determining your grade for the quarter --- tests, quizzes, homework, and class participation. Each component carries a different weight and typically ranges from 5-150 points.
Homework/Class work 10-40
Quizzes 25-50
Tests 100-150
Class participation Can be positive or negative (Positive by being involved in the class (going up to the board, being involved in class discussions, class work, etc.) (Negative by failing to bring required materials, by disrupting the class in anyway, etc.)
The grading scale for the course is as follows:
93 – 100 = A 77-80 = C
89-92 = B+ 73-76 = D+
85-88 = B 70-72 = D
81-84 = C+ 0 – 69 = F
An exemption from taking
the final exam can be achieved by getting a grade of “A” in each quarter.
Homework:
Homework will be assigned daily in the form of either readings or problems
and either spot-checked or collected by me at the beginning of
class. It is critical to your success in
the course for you to complete the homework and therefore it will carry a great
weight in determining your grade.
Homework must be done at home, not in a rush in the morning before
school. The reading assignments will be
subject to a possible quiz. You must do
the work when it is assigned. Never fall
behind. All homework must be labeled
with your name, ‘A’ day meeting time, the date, page # and
problem #s in the TOP LEFT HAND CORNER in order to be accepted; Homework will
NOT be accepted without this information.
RULES FOR ESSAYS AND QUESTIONS IN BUSINESS LAW FOR HOMEWORK AND TESTS.
1. Answer the question that is being asked? (Directly by saying yes or no)
2. State the law that applies and include any exceptions if they apply.
3. Support the law with facts from the problem.
4. The answer should be written so that the reader doesn’t have to re-read the question to find the details of the question.
Law is all about how it is interpreted.
Rules:
1. Be on time and prepared for class. You will NOT be allowed to go to your locker to retrieve your book or your homework at any time! Do not disrupt the class or me by asking to do so.
2. Go to the bathroom before or after class.
3. Always take notes in class. You are responsible for ANYTHING that appears on the board (overhead). Notes should be labeled according to the chapter and date. Never put notes and homework on the same page!!
4. No food (including candy or gum) or drinks are allowed in the classroom.
5. Do not talk or call out in class unless recognized.
6. Be courteous and show RESPECT for your fellow classmates and your teacher. Do not talk when someone else is speaking.
7. During tests and quizzes, I will NOT answer any questions pertaining to material on the test or quiz. If you believe there is a typographical error on the paper, raise your hand, and I will come to you and check.
8. Each class begins with the Direction of Intention. I may choose someone at random to lead us.
9. Do NOT miss class. It is very easy to fall behind and very difficult to catch up.
10. Do not pack up your belongings before the bell rings; I will let you know when it is time to be dismissed.
Make up Policy: If you happen to miss a test, quiz,
or homework as a result of your excused absence, you must make up the
test, quiz or turn in the homework on the day following your return unless a
previous arrangement was scheduled with me.
It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to see me on the day you return
to schedule your make up work, which is to be done either during your open
period or after school. Failure to see
me, on the day you return to schedule the make up work will result in a ZERO. If you are absent, it is your responsibility
to contact another student or myself to learn what
material was covered and what homework was assigned. You must obtain the notes and a copy of any
handouts from another classmate. CLASS
TIME IS NOT MAKE-UP TIME!!!
General topic course outline:
FIRST QUARTER
I. KINDS OF LAW
A. Criminal vs. Civil Law
B. Constitutional Law
C. Statutory Law
D. Administrative Law
E. Case Law
F. Procedural and Substantive Laws
II. ENFORCING THE LAW
A. Arbitration and Mediation
B. Trial Courts and Appelate Courts
C. Federal, State, and Local Courts
D. Juvenile Court
E. Criminal Court
F. Civil Court
III. CRIMES
A. What Constitues a Crime
B. Types of Crimes
C. Classifications of Crimes
D. Rights of an Accused Person
E. Procedural and Substantive Defenses
IV. TORTS
A. What is a Tort
B. Common Torts
1. Assult
2.
3. Trespass
4. Conversion
5. Defamation
6. Slander
7. Negligence
V. LAWS FOR MINORS
A. Legal Rights of Minors
B. Rights and Duties of Parents
C. Rights and Duties of Students
D. Rights and Duties as a Driver
VI. OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE
A. How Contracts are Made
B. Requirements of an Offer
C. How an Offer is Ended
D. How an Offer is Kept Open
E. Requirements of an Acceptance
VII. LEGAL AGREEMENT
A. What types of Agreements are Illegal
B. When May Courts Help Parties of Illegal Agreements
C. Restraint of Trade
SECOND QUARTER
VIII. CONSIDERATION
A. What is Consideration
B. What is Adequate Consideration
C. Is an Existing Obligation Consideration
D. Is Past Performance Consideration
E. Exceptions to the Requirement of Consideration
IX. VOID AND VOIDABLE AGREEMENTS
A. What Makes an Agreement Voidable
B. When May a Minor Difference Void a Contract
C. Fraud
D. Rights of the Defrauded Party
E. Duress
F. Undue Influence
G. The Effect of a Mistake
H. Mistakes that Make an Agreement Void or Voidable
X. PROPER CONTRACTUAL FORM
A. Must Contracts be in any Special Form
B. How Contracts are Classified
C. The Statute of Frauds
D. What Contracts are Subject to the Statute of Frauds
E. Parole Evidence Rule
F. How Written Contracts are Interpreted
XI. TRANSFER AND DISCHARGE OF CONTRACTS
A. Transferring Rights Under a Contract
B. Delegating Duties Under a Contract
C. Rights of an Assignee
D. Discharging a Contract
E. Tender of Performance
X. REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT
A. Rights Under a Contract
B. Remedies of the Injured Party
C. Measuring Damages
XI. PROPERTY LAWS
A. Real Property
B. Personal Property
C. Intellectual Property
D. Acquiring Property
1. Contract
2. Gift
3. Mislaid Property
4. Lost Property
5. Inheritance
E. Forms of Ownership
XII. REAL PROPERTY
A. Land
B. Buildings
C. Fixtures
Please Note: The above outline is a guide and is subject to change.