EBA 631b

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:

An introduction to the American legal system includes topics such as the court system, litigation, contract law, tort law, business organizations and intellectual property law.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
·        identify relationships among law, ethics and business
·        describe the foundations of the American legal system
·        explain the court systems, litigation, judicial reasoning and decision making, and the legislative and administrative processes
·        discuss the common law foundations of capitalism: property, contracts and tort law
·        identify the regulation of the corporate environment and the regulation of business activity

Textbook

Law for Entrepreneurs, Version 1.0.1, by Don Mayer, Daniel M. Warner, George J. Seidel and Jethro K. Lieberman, eISBN: 978-1-4533-5187-1
Available at http://students.flatworldknowledge.com/course/1655715

Disability Statement

Students requiring accommodations or modifications for a disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. The instructor will refer you to the ACCESS and Accommodation Office to document your disability, determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504 and to request a Faculty Accommodation Form. Disability accommodations or status will not be indicated on academic transcripts. In order to receive accommodations in a class, students with sensory, learning, psychological, physical or medical disabilities must provide their instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form to sign. Students must return the signed form to the ACCESS Coordinator. A new form must be requested each semester. 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 register with the ACCESS and Accommodation Office and request a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further 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 line for information about class cancellations—(678) 547-6111(Atlanta) or listen to WSB 750 AM.

Mercer University Honor Code and Council

Mercer University 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 and papers must be your own. Any inappropriate copying or collaboration on any test or paper will result in a grade of 'F' for the course.
See the Mercer 2013-2014 catalog - page 61, for a detailed description.

There will be three written examinations covering the reading assignments and the material covered in class.

Note: 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. 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 exam.

        85.0 average        A
        78.0 average        B+
        70.0 average        B
        65.0 average        C+
        60.0 average        C

Class	Date	Reading Assignment	Topics
1	Sep 6 3:00 – 6:00 pm	Ch. 1 (Sections 1-6) Ch. 3 (1-5) Ch. 3 (8)	Sources of Law Jurisdiction Court Systems Litigation Alternative Dispute Resolution
2	Sep 13 12:00 – 2:45 pm	Ch. 4 (1-5, 6.1 (the Griswold case)) Ch. 5 (1-5)	Constitutional Law Administrative Law
3	Sep 27 3:00 – 6:00 pm		Exam #1
4	Oct 18 8:15 – 11:15 am	Ch. 8 (1-3) Ch. 9 (1-3) Ch. 11 (1, 2.1 (through Adequacy of Consideration)) Ch. 12 (1-2) Ch. 10 (1-4) Ch. 13 (1-2)	Contract Law
5	Oct 18 12:00 – 2:45 pm	Ch. 14 (1-2) Ch. 15 (1) Ch. 16 (1-4, 5.1-5.3 (through Mitigation of damages), 6.1 (the EBWS case), 6.4 (the Shirley MacLaine case))	Contract Law
6	Nov 1 3:00 – 6:00 pm	Ch. 7 (1-5) Ch. 19 (2.2 (Workers Compensation))	Tort Law Workers Compensation
7	Nov 8 12:00 – 2:45 pm	Ch. 21 (1-2) Ch. 22 (1-3) Ch. 23 (1-3) Ch. 24 (1-3)	Business Organizations Exam #2
8	Nov 22 3:00 – 6:00 pm	Ch. 26 (1-4) Ch. 18 (1-5)	Directors and Officers Intellectual Property
9	Dec 6 3:00 – 6:00 pm	Ch. 18 (1-5, 5.1 (the Elvis Presley case), 5.2 (the Terri Welles case))	Intellectual Property
10	Dec 13 3:00 – 6:00 pm		Exam #3