BUS 346

Spring (I) 2010

J. Blanke

Syllabus

Announcements
Course: BUS 346 - The Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Environment of Business
Instructor: Jordan M. Blanke
Office: BE225
Telephone: (678) 547-6313
Internet: blanke_j@mercer.edu
Office Hours: Monday 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Thursday 12:00 pm - 1:00 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 is an introduction to law and the legal system. Topics discussed include the court system, constitutional law, administrative law, contract law, torts, products liability, business organizations, agency and an introduction to the governmental regulation of business. The ethical responsibilities of business will be emphasized.

Course Objectives

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

bulletdescribe the foundations of the American legal system.
bulletdiscuss issues pertaining to the legal, ethical and regulatory environment of business.
bulletdescribe the court system and several alternative means of dispute resolution.
bulletdiscuss issues pertaining to constitutional, administrative, contract, and tort law.
bullet identify the various organizational forms of doing business, and the relationships and duties of individuals therein.
bulletdiscuss issues pertaining to agency and employment law.
Prerequisites

             None. 

Textbooks

The Legal Environment Today, 6th Ed., by Roger Miller & Frank Cross, ISBN 0-324-59925-0

Evaluation Criteria
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
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 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 Jan 11
Ch. 1
Ch. 3 (pp. 61-78)
Ch. 3 (pp. 78-87)
Introduction to the Law
Sources of Law
Court and Jurisdiction
Litigation
  Jan 18 No class MLK Day
2 Jan 25 Ch. 3 (pp. 88-95)
Ch. 4
Arbitration
Constitutional Law
3 Feb 1 Ch. 19 (pp. 640-659)
Ch. 2
Administrative Law
Ethics and Business Decision Making
4 Feb 8 Ch. 9
 
Contract Formation
Midterm Exam
5 Feb 15 Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 11 (pp.349-354, 374-378)
Contract Formation
Contract Performance, Breach and Remedies
Sales and E-Contracts
6 Feb 22 Ch. 5 (pp. 132-158)
Ch. 12
Torts
Product Liability
7 Mar 1 Ch. 14 (pp. 452-477)
Ch. 15 (pp. 489-498, 504-507, 524-525)
Ch. 16 (pp. 533-557)
Small Business Organizations
Corporations
Agency
8 Mar 8   Final Exam

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