Syllabus

Mission Statement

The Stetson School of Business and Economics of Mercer University delivers 
career focused business education to develop entrepreneurial leaders and responsible global citizens.

Course Description

This course will explore the legal environment and focus on the formation and operation of a variety of business organizations including the corporation, the partnership and the LLC (Limited Liability Company).  It will examine the roles and obligations of organizational participants - the directors, officers, partners, and members - and examine best practices relating to corporate sustainability and social responsibility.  Additional related topics may include stock trading, valuation, shareholder’s rights, mergers and acquisitions, insider trading and antitrust laws.  The course will also explore topics in contract law and intellectual property.

Course Objectives

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

Prerequisites

             None

Textbooks

Law for Entrepreneurs, by Don Mayer, Daniel M. Warner, George J. Seidel and Jethro K. Lieberman

This textbook is available for no charge at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/BookDetail.aspx?bookId=279. You may read the textbook online or download a PDF file containing the whole book.

Class Assignments and Evaluation

Evaluation Criteria

Grading Structure

Note from the Professor

The exams 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 an exam (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.  Violations include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, lying, and stealing.

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.

Course Evaluations

Course evaluations will be conducted via the online, university approved system during week seven of this course.  All students are encouraged to participate when they receive the email notification.

Disability Statement

Students in need of accommodation due to a disability should contact the Access and Accommodation Office to complete the verification process to become approved for services. In order to receive accommodations, each term, students will request accommodation and faculty notification forms through the Access Office online system Accommodate. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule a meeting with each professor in a timely manner to discuss arrangements. Accommodations are not retroactive in nature. Note - Disability accommodations or status are not reflected on academic transcripts. Students with a history of a disability, perceived as having a disability or with a current disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to complete the verification process with the Access Office.

Students must request accommodations in a timely manner to receive accommodations in a timely manner.

For additional information please contact Richard Stilley (stilley_r@mercer.edu), at (678) 547-6823 or visit the Access and Accommodation Office website at http://atlstuaffairs.mercer.edu/disability-services.cfm

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)

Introduction to the Law (full version)
Physician Assisted Dying
Contract Law (full version)
Business Organizations (full version)
Copyright Law
Patent, Trademark, and Trade Secret Law (full version)
Employment Law
Covenants Not to Compete
2010 Georgia Ballot Amendment

Your Guide to the Georgia Courts (PDF file)
Exploring Constitutional Law - an interesting site that presents some basic information about the U.S. Constitution (for those of you who would like some more information about the Constitution)
Constitutional History - PowerPoint                              

Reading assignment for Ethics, Society and Law  (Week 2) 

What is Stakeholder Theory? - R. Edward Freeman - video

Sample Exam Questions

These 1923 Copyrighted Works Enter the Public Domain in 2019
Public Domain Day 2020

A Fair(y) Use Tale - YouTube clip

He's So Fine - The Chiffons
My Sweet Lord - George Harrison
Copyright Website - George Harrison and the Chiffons

Justices, 9-0, Bar Patenting Human Genes - New York Times article
Patent Trolls - Electronic Frontier Foundation

Don't Say Velcro - funny trademark video