PBA 651b.  Legal Issues Affecting Businesses (Fall 2012)

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.

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 requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor as early in their matriculation as possible or by the close of the first class meeting.  The instructor will refer you to the Disability Support Services Coordinator to document your disability and determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504.  In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a “Faculty Accommodation Form” from Disability Support Services.  Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Support Services Coordinator (212 Sheffield Center). For convenience, anyone can send this information through Campus Mail; fax the form to (678) 547-6373 or e-mail the form as an attachment to stilley_r@mercer.edu.   Even students with a documented disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are strongly encouraged to register with Disability Support Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester.  For further information, please contact Richard Stilley, Disability Support Services Coordinator / Assistant Dean for Campus Life, at (678) 547-6823 or visit the website at http://studentaffairs.merceratlanta.org/disabilities.html.

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 catalog for a detailed description.

Class Assignments and Evaluation

Examinations

There will be three 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                                 30%
Exam #2                                 35%
Exam #3                                 35%

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

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

Reading Assignments and Class Schedule

PowerPoint Presentations

    Introduction to the Law
    Litigation
    Arbitration
    Constitutional Law
    Contract Law
    Covenants Not to Compete
    2010 Georgia Ballot Amendment
    Tort Law
    Copyright Law (full version)
    Patent, Trademark and Trade Secret Law
    Business Organizations - (truncated version - for the exam)
    Business Organizations - (full version - for your brain)
   

Articles

   Your Guide to the Georgia Courts (PDF file)
    The Ballad of Suzette Kelo - Legal Studies Classroom  
    Little Asia on the Hill - New York Times article

    A Fair(y) Use Tale - YouTube clip

    Popular Wrench Fights a Chinese Rival - New York Times article
    Important New Changes To US Patent Law for PCT Applicants - IPWatchdog article
    The New Patent Laws - The End of Entrepreneurship? - Forbes.com article

    Another Google AdWords Advertiser Defeats Trademark Infringement Lawsuit--CollegeSource v. AcademyOne - Technology & Marketing Law Blog
    With Rosetta Stone Settlement, Google Gets Closer to Legitimizing Billions of AdWords Revenue - Forbes.com article