BAA 520

Spring (II) 2009

J. Blanke

Syllabus

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Announcements
Legal Links
Course: BAA 520 - Foundations of the Legal Environment of Business
Instructor: Jordan M. Blanke
Office: BE225
Telephone: (678) 547-6313
Internet: blanke_j@mercer.edu
Office Hours: Monday 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  Wednesday 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  Thursday 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
 

The Stetson School of Business and Economics (SSBE) promotes the advancement and integration of quality business education and practice.  In support of Mercer University’s mission, the School provides undergraduate and graduate programs that are designed to enable, enhance, and expand professional careers, civic responsibility and lifelong learning.

Course Description:

This course examines the legal and ethical environment in which businesses operate. It focuses on the court system and litigation, administrative law, the formation of contracts, government regulation, public policy and ethical issues. Topics covered may include tort, property and criminal law, agency, partnerships, corporations, securities law, labor and employment law, antitrust law, consumer protection, environmental law, intellectual property and international law, ethical decision making principles, and political models and processes.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

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identify relationships among law, ethics and business.

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describe the foundations of the American legal system.

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explain the court systems, litigation, judicial reasoning and decision making, and the legislative and administrative processes.

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discuss the common law foundations of capitalism: property, contracts and tort law.

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identify the various forms of the corporate organization and the regulation of business activity.

Prerequisites

             None

Textbooks

Managers and the Legal Environment (5th Ed.) - Constance E. Bagley & Diane W. Savage

Class Assignments and Evaluation
Evaluation Criteria

Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Class Participation

45%
50%
  5%

Grading Structure

85.0 average
78.0
70.0
65.0
60.0

A
B+
B
C+
C

Note from the Professor

The midterm and final examinations will cover the assigned readings, as well as any additional material covered in class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed - both material covered and future assignments.  No make-up examinations will be given. If you cannot be present for a test (for a legitimate reason), let me know beforehand - call me at my office and tell me, or leave a message on my answering machine. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero on that test.

Mercer University Honor Code and Council

See Mercer catalog for detailed description.

Honor Code

Mercer University Atlanta expects each and every student to maintain the highest principles of academic honesty and integrity.  Violations of academic honesty represent a breach of the University's expectations and will be regarded as a serious matter.

All work on tests must be your own. Any inappropriate copying or collaboration on any test will result in a grade of 'F' for the course.

Disability Statement

Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting.  The instructor will refer you to Richard Stilley, Assistant Dean of Campus Life, (678) 547-6823, for consultation regarding evaluation, documentation of your disability, and recommendations for accommodation, if needed.  To take full advantage of disability services, it is recommended that students make contact, immediately.  The office is located in Room 212 of the Sheffield Student Center.

Inclement Weather

If severe weather occurs, classes will be canceled in accordance with the Associate Provost’s decision of Mercer-Atlanta.  Call the Mercer weather phone for information about class cancellations—(678) 547-6111 (Atlanta) or listen to WSB 750 AM.

Course Reading and Learning Schedule:

(Syllabus subject to change at the discretion of the Professor)

Session

Date

Preparation

Course Contents

1

Mar 19

Ch. 3 (omit pp. 115-123)



Ch. 4 pp. 141-145

Sources of Law
Jurisdiction
Court Systems
Litigation
Alternative Dispute Resolution

2

Mar 26

Ch. 2
Ch. 6 pp. 189-200

Constitutional Law
Administrative Law

3

Apr 2

Ch. 7 pp. 212-241, 245-246
Ch. 8 pp. 257-259
Ch. 12 pp.416-419
Ch. 12 pp. 426-429
Contracts
The UCC
The Employment Agreement
Covenants Not to Compete

4

Apr 9

  Midterm Exam

5

Apr 16

Ch. 9 (omit pp. 315-319)
Ch. 12 p. 442
Ch. 10 pp. 335-349
Torts
Workers Compensation
Product Liability

6

Apr 23

Ch. 11 Intellectual Property

7

Apr 30

Ch. 19 pp. 708-733
Ch. 20 pp. 747-758

Ch. 23 pp. 887-893
 
Business Organizations
Directors and Officers

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Insider Trading

8

May 7

 

Final Exam

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