PBA 651b.  Legal Issues Affecting Businesses (Summer 2009)

Professor Jordan "Jody" Blanke

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

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.

This syllabus (Word document)
Master syllabus (Word document)

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.

Course Objectives:

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

Managers and the Legal Environment (6th Ed.), by Constance E. Bagley & Diane W. Savage, ISBN: 0-324-58204-8

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 223 of the Davis Building.

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 must be your own. Any inappropriate copying or collaboration on any test will result in a grade of 'F' for the course.
See the Mercer catalog for a detailed description.

Class Assignments and Evaluation

Written Research Paper

You will be required to write a legal research paper at lease 10 pages in length.  It will be discussed in greater detail in class. It will be due on Friday, July 31.  Failure to hand it in on time will result in a loss of half of its value.

Examinations

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

Evaluation

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

Exam #1                                 35%
Exam # 2                                35%
Legal research paper           25%
Class participation                  5%

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.

Reading Assignments and Class Schedule

**  Anyone who wishes to submit a draft copy of your research paper for review may do so by July 10.

PowerPoint Presentations

Introduction to the Law
Physician Assisted Suicide
Litigation
Arbitration
Constitutional Law
Contract Law
Tort Law
Intellectual Property
Agency
Business Organizations

Articles

    Your Guide to the Georgia Courts (PDF file)
    Little Asia on the Hill - New York Times article
   Lost in the Cloud - New York Times Op-Ed Piece  NEW

Sample Law Journal Articles

    Trademark Parody (PDF file)
    Spyware (PDF file)

Legal Links