PBA 625b  Law for Entrepreneurs (Summer 2018)

Professor Jordan "Jody" Blanke

Business and Education Building Room 225
(678) 547-6313
blanke_j@mercer.edu
ssbea.mercer.edu/blanke
Office Hours:
        by appointment

Mercer Mission Statement:

Mercer University's mission is to teach, to learn, to create, to discover, to inspire, to empower, and to serve.

SSBE Mission Statement:

SSBE 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, arbitration, contract law, tort law and risk management, business organizations, officer liability, ethics, employment law, and intellectual property law – copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret law.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
·        describe the foundations of the American legal system
·        explain the court systems, 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
·     understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various business organizational forms

Textbook

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.

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

Mercer University Honor Code and Council

Student Honor Code: http://provost.mercer.edu/honor/

Student Handbook: https://provost.mercer.edu/mu-provost/handbooks/upload/2013-University-Handbook-Final-rec-d-14-Oct-13.pdf

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

Class Assignments and Evaluation

Examinations

There will be three written examinations covering the reading assignments and the material covered in class. The exams will be in class on June 16, July 7 and August 4.

Written Assignment

Each of you will evaluate the privacy policy of a company. The companies will be randomly assigned. The PowerPoints will be due on Sunday, July 22. More information about this project is posted in Canvas and will discussed in class. Discussion and presentation of the projects will be on August 4, before the last exam. The project will be worth 20% of your grade in the course.

Evaluation

Your grade in the course will be based upon the following:

Exam #1                        20%
Exam # 2                       30%
Exam # 3                       30%
Privacy Policy PPT       20%
 

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.

Grading Scale

        87.0 average        A
        80.0 average        B+
        72.0 average        B
        67.0 average        C+
        60.0 average        C
        Below 60.0            F

Reading Assignments and Class Schedule 

PowerPoint Presentations

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

Sample Test Questions

Articles

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

How to Choose the Best Legal Structure for Your Business

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

5 Ways to Protect Your Privacy while Using Amazon Products and Services - USA Today article