Download Long Beach City College

Business Law 18A
Syllabus and Course Outline
Fall Semester 2012
LBCC-Department of Business Administration-LAC
Professor:
Direct Telephone:
Business Department:
Location:
Class Times:
My Office & Hours:
E-mail:
Credit Units:


Dr. O’Toole, J.D., M.B.A.
(562) 938-4661
(562) 938-4328
All classes held in T-2376
#72287 MW(9:30-11am) and #70208 MW(11:10-12:35pm)
#70207 TTH(9:35-11am) and #70209 TTH(11:10-12:35pm)
T-2352 on MTWTH(8:30-9:30am) and
TTH (12:40-1:10pm)
[email protected]
3.0
This course is transferable to UC/CSU programs.
If at anytime, students are concerned about their progress in this class and cannot
meet the instructor’s posted office hours, please schedule a separate appointment with
the instructor. Kindly understand that the instructor is willing to make sure that each
student has the opportunity to get additional help if needed.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Comprehend the legal language and the fundamental theories and concepts presented
in Business Law today.
2. Use creative and critical-thinking strategies in the solution of complex business
situations through the application of deductive legal reasoning.
3. Develop analytical and logical evaluation skills for the purpose of ensuring future
success in a professional environment.
4. Develop the capability to access, evaluate and integrate legal reasoning in the
fulfillment of coursework and independent study.
5. Recognize the importance that risk presents in business and develop the ability to
evaluate and minimize risk effectively.
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
The primary goal of this course is to help each student develop and strengthen the use of
essential critical thinking skills while gaining an overall fundamental understanding of the
legal environment of business law today.
Business Law 18A
Page 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Law is of interest to all persons, not just lawyers. Those entering the world of business will
find themselves subject to numerous laws and government regulations. A basic knowledge of
these laws and regulations is beneficial—if not essential—to anyone contemplating a
successful career in the business world of today.
In an effort to ensure students a fundamental knowledge of the tenets of business law, this
course has been segmented into five different learning units of instruction. The first unit of
instruction offers students an introduction to the nature of law, the types of courts and court
procedures. The second unit of instruction explores business torts as well as product and
strict liability. The third unit of instruction emphasizes the nature and classification of
contracts, specifically exploring the creation, termination and remedies of contract law. The
fourth unit of instruction explores the law of sales and leases and internet law. The fifth and
final unit of instruction offers students an understanding of the different types of negotiable
instruments, the parties, the methods of transfer, and the rights of holders and defenses to
these instruments.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Business Law, 12th Edition, Legal, Ethical, Global, and Corporate
Environment by Clarkson, Miller, and Cross (Hardback-pictured)
or rental textbook and/or electronic textbook available at
bookstore [ISBN 0-538-47081-X]. Each student should also have
access to the Internet. For those students who do not have
Internet access available, please use the “Open Access Lab”
located on the second floor in the LAC library. Computers,
printers, as well as Internet access is offered to all registered
LBCC students at no cost. Please know that five scan-trons are
required to take the exams administered (form 882-E).
RECOMMENDED INFORMATION:
 Students should purchase the accompanying Study Guide to the textbook for
additional reinforcement of legal terminology and practice questions.
 Students are strongly encouraged to read current event newsworthy articles.
Periodicals such as Newsweek, Businessweek, Time and any other credible news
source are strongly recommended in order for each student to truly gain an accurate
understanding and perception of the present legal environment of business law today.
Business Law 18A
Page 2
 Please know that relevant information gathered from any legitimate source which
will introduce students to the business tenets discussed in this class is recommended.
Consequently, each student should understand that the above-mentioned information
is not limited but solely mentioned to supplement the learning process.
GRADING:
There are four examinations during the semester and one comprehensive final examination.
Each of the five examinations during the semester will be worth 100 points. Out of the four
semester examinations, the lowest exam score is automatically discarded. The final
examination will be worth 200 points and must be taken in order to achieve a letter grade in
this course. All examinations will consist of multiple choice and true/false. Some exams may
additionally have short essay questions. To earn an A in this course requires 428 points; to
earn a B requires 358 points: a C requires 288 points; and a D requires 218 points. There will
be no-make up examinations.
ATTENDANCE:
Due to the volume of material covered in this course and the five examinations administered
during the semester, attendance is a very integral component to the students’ overall success.
As such, each student should attend class diligently. In the event of four or more absences a
student may be dropped from the course or have his/her grade lowered. Arriving late for
class or leaving early will constitute ½ of an absence. If the student knows that he/she will be
absent from class, it is his/her responsibility to find out what assignments were covered.
Remember, if the student is absent during an exam day—the student will receive zero (0)
points towards his/her overall class grade because there are no make-up exams.
Consequently, if the student must be absent on an exam day, use that particular exam as the
exam that is automatically discarded.
ACADEMIC CONDUCT:
Our class is a small community within a larger community, one that has written rules and
standards of conduct for students. All students are expected to respect and abide by these
rules and standards, which are clearly defined in this semester’s Schedule of Classes. Also,
please do not bring food or drinks into the classroom. Additionally, each student is kindly
reminded to turn off all cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices while in class. If a
student disregards any of these college and classroom rules, he/she
will be asked to leave class and will not be readmitted until the instructor has had an
opportunity to speak with the student during a scheduled conference.
FORMAT:
All classes will be taught with a lecture and open discussion format. The chapters listed
below in the projected schedule must be read prior to each class meeting. Each student is
additionally responsible for completing the assigned homework problems at the end of the
Business Law 18A
Page 3
text for each of the chapter(s) listed prior to each class meeting as well as any additional
assignments that will be announced during class.
WITHDRAW POLICY:
Each student is accountable for their registration status in this course. As such, it is also the
student’s responsibility to initiate and actively undertake all administrative measures if
he/she wishes to insure a “drop-withdraw” for the class. If the student fails to withdraw
before the regulated LBCC drop date for this semester, which is clearly defined in this
semester’s Schedule of Classes, the student will receive a letter grade based on overall point
total for the semester which will include a mandatory final comprehensive examination
worth 200 points. Consequently, failing to withdraw from the course timely may leave the
student with a punitive grade on his/her transcript. This course is grade only.
PROJECTED SCHEDULE:
Week One Aug.27th-Aug.31st
Introduction to Business Law and Legal Reasoning
Chapters 2 & 3:
Civil Law vs. Criminal Law
Courts and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Court Procedures
Week Two Sept.3rd-Sept.7th
Chapter 2 & 3-End of Chapters Homework Problems
Chapter 6:
Intentional Torts against the person
Intentional Torts against business and property
Week Three Sept.10th-Sept.14th
Chapter 6-End of Chapter Homework Problems
Chapter 7:
Negligence Actions
Special Negligence Statutes
Week Four Sept.17th-Sept.21st
Chapter 7:
Strict Liability
Chapter 7-End of Chapter Homework Problems
Week Five Sept.24th-Sept.28th
EXAM#1: CHAPTERS 2,3,6,7
Chapter 10:
Contracts-Nature and Terms
Business Law 18A
Page 4
Week Six
Oct.1st-Oct.5th
Chapter 10-End of Chapter Homework Problems
Chapter 11:
The Agreement
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Week Seven Oct.8th-Oct12th
Chapter 12:
Consideration
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Chapter 13:
Capacity and Legality
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Week Eight Oct.15th-Oct19th
Chapter 14:
Genuineness of Assent
End of Chapter Homework Problems
EXAM#2: Chapters 10,11,12,13,14
Week Nine Oct.22nd-Oct.26th
Chapter 15:
The Statute of Frauds
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Chapter 16:
Third Party Rights
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Week Ten
Oct.29th-Nov.2nd
Chapter 17:
Performance and Discharge
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Chapter 18:
Remedies
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Week 11
Nov.5th-Nov.9th
EXAM#3: CHAPTERS 15,16,17,&18 (10-14)
Chapter 20:
Sale of Goods Contracts
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Business Law 18A
Page 5
Week 12
Nov.12th-Nov.16th
Chapter 21:
Title, Risk, and Insurable Interest
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Chapter 22:
Performance and Breach
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Week 13
Nov.19th-Nov.23rd
Chapter 23:
Remedies
End of Chapter Homework Problems
Week 14
Nov.26th-Nov.30th
EXAM #4: CHAPTERS 20,21,22 (10-18)
Week 15
Dec.3rd-Dec.7th
Chapters 26 &27:
Liability/Defenses/Discharge & Checks and Banking
End of Chapter(s) Homework Problems & CH.24-27
Week 16
Dec.10th-Dec14th
Chapter 8:
Intellectual Property and Internet Law
Review for Final Exam
FINAL EXAMS:
All Monday & Wednesday students (#72287 & #70208) must take the mandatory
comprehensive final examination on Dec. 12th during their scheduled class.
All Tuesday & Thursday students (#70207 & #70209) must take the mandatory
comprehensive final examination on Dec. 13th during their scheduled class.
Business Law 18A
Page 6