PMBA 653d.  Legal Issues Affecting Businesses (Fall 2015)

Professor Jordan "Jody" Blanke

Business and Education Building Room 225
(678) 547-6313
blanke_j@mercer.edu
ssbea.mercer.edu/blanke
Office Hours:
        Monday                           2:00 - 4:00 pm
        Wednesday                    4:00 - 6:00 pm

Master syllabus (Word document)

Mission Statement:

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.

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

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/2407923

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

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 Law
Physician Assisted Suicide
Litigation
Arbitration
Administrative Law (with audio) (you are responsible for this on Exam #1)
Constitutional Law (truncated version)
Contract Law (full version)
Tort Law (full version)
Copyright Law (full version)
Patent, Trademark and Trade Secret Law (full version)
Business Organizations

Articles

Your Guide to the Georgia Courts (PDF file)

Sample Test Questions

A Fair(y) Use Tale - YouTube clip