2009 FALL SEMESTER
BUSINESS LAW- BUS 18 (4 units)
MW 9:30-10:50
& 11:10-12:30 (509)
Prof: Mo Hassan, MBA
Chair- Business, Accounting & Real Estate Dept
OFFICE: 505A
PHONE: (831) 479-6276
OFFICE HOURS: MW 9:00-9:30 & 12:30-1:30pm, or by appointment
E-MAIL: mohassan@cabrillo.edu
or molatte4u@hotmail.com
Web Site: http://www.cabrillo.edu/~mhassan
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides a general introduction to the principles and practices of business law. Many aspects of business law will be covered including: The American Legal System, Business Ethics, Civil and Criminal Law, Contract Law, Torts, Anti trust laws and organization structures. This course will incorporate current events, news and social/legal changes into the class material. This course will be utilizing the Blackboard course system for assignment postings.
COURSE PREREQUISIT: Eligibility for English 100
REQUIRED TEXT:
Business Law Today (The
Essentials) by Miller and Jentz. 8th Edition. Thomson-West Publishing Co. Highly Suggested
METHODOLOGY:
This
course will consist of three units of lectures, classroom discussions, debates
and case assignments. Other materials such as videos, outside reading, and
continuous updates on current political, business and legal issues will also be
included in this course. Group work and class discussions will be emphasized. Be prepared to participate in class and group
discussions. In-class
assignments/quizzes pertaining to current chapter material will be given on
random basis. Out of class work, assignments, and group work is required in
this course.
ATTENDANCE:
Regular
and prompt attendance is required in this class, just as it is in the business
community. **Students who are absent
will miss class participation, attendance, and assignment points.
Your attendance is crucial to your success in this
course. You will be considered absent if you show up following roll call
(usually within the first fifteen minutes). You will be penalized a letter
grade for any three unexcused absences during the semester. Please do not
disturb the class by coming late or leaving before the class is dismissed. All
excuses must be obtained from the professor prior to the missed class period. Excessive
absences (> 3) can result in a drop from the course or receiving an F grade.
Please exercise proper
etiquette in the classroom.
NEWS: It is very essential to
the success of this course and the enhancement of your learning experience that
you participate in providing news and updates on current news, law violations,
and current court cases as they are being reported in the major papers. Be
Informed! The first five to ten minutes of each class will be devoted to NEWS
updates: Good sources for NEWS Radio 88.90, 91.90 TV: Ch 9, 10 PBS, and BBC
6-8pm. Newspapers, WSJ, NY Times, SJ Mercury: Online BBCi, NPR.org,
pbs.org/newshour, Google News, CNN.com, Wall Street Journal, NY Times,
Washington Post, and your favorite news search engine. Everyone is encouraged
to share/report news, however, two specific assignments will be required by
each student. One of your article assignments must be presented orally.
NEWS
PRESENTATION: You pick NEWS pertaining to class and chapter
discussions. Present a 3-4 minute oral report in class, and submit a typed
summary of your report (see Article Summary assignment for more details). Your
presentation should be focused on informing the class about your news, relation
to class material and reasons why you chose it. Also be prepared to answer
questions about your report. Your
Article Summary assignment grade consists of five points for oral presentation
and ten points for typed report. You need to present one article summary
on the date you have been assigned/selected. You must relate article/news to class
subjects/chapters discussed.
MAKE-UP POLICY:
There
will be no make-ups of any kind. All assignments and exams must be taken at the time
and date they are scheduled. Only
excused students (excused by the professor) can turn in late assignments. The
excuses are given only in emergency conditions and all excuses must be obtained
from the professor prior to the assignment due date. Exams are open notes only.
ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments must be professionally completed and turned in by the due date. The assignments must be typed & spell checked (double space). Late or un-typed assignments will not be accepted. Plan ahead! All must be turned electronically via Blackboard system at http://online.cabrillo.edu. No paper turn ins will be accepted.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Exams
3@100 pts 300 55 %
Homework
Cases (HMK) 3 @ 20 60 11
%
In
Class Assignments/Quizzes 65 12
%
Article
Summaries/News presentation (2) 30 5 %
Court
Visit Paper/Presentation 35 6 %
Participation
& Videos Reports 60 11 %
Total 550 points 100%
GRADING CRITERIA
495-550 A 90-100%
440-494 B 80-89%
385-439 C 70-79% (Credit)
360-419 D 60-69%
BELOW 360 F BELOW 60%
WITHDRWAL POLICY:
Last day to withdraw and Not
receive a grade of "W" is Sept 26, 2009. Students withdrawing after the
mentioned date will risk receiving an "F" for the course. The
professor has the discretion to grant a grade of “NC” (No Credit) or
"F" to those withdrawing after the mentioned date unless an official
withdrawal is made by the student. Students maybe dropped from class for being
consistently absent without an excuse. However, dropping a course remains the
student’s own responsibility. Last
Day for Credit/No Credit option is Oct 3, 2009. Credit will only be given to
those who earn 70% or higher grade.
CLASS EVALUATIONS
(optional):
In
order to continuously improve the quality of instruction and deliver the best
service to you, your ideas, suggestions, opinions, and concerns are welcomed at
all time. However, you are asked to turn
in a typed evaluation once a semester to insure and improve quality. Your comments are due at mid term or before
last exam. I appreciate your
participation in improving the quality of education. It is your choice whether to include your
name or not on the evaluations.
·
This syllabus is intended to
be a guideline for students.
Typographical and any obvious errors are not binding.
·
The instructor has
discretion to change the syllabus at any time to fit Cabrillo requirements.
·
CLASS POLICY (Please observe
at all times).
·
No eating or snacking is
allowed in classroom. Absolutely NOT!
·
No "ON" beepers or
cellular phones in the classroom. TURN THEM OFF Please!
·
No napping or casual talking
during lectures. If you want to sleep or chat, go to a café!
·
Late arrivals use back door
quietly. Respect others learning experience.
·
Respect the class, don’t be
disruptive! Your disruption is others’ agitation!
·
Plagiarism in tests,
assignments or casesor any other assignment will result in a zero grade for
that test or assignment or case. Copying other’s work is considered plagiarism
and is not be acceptable or gradeable.
No eating, shoes on tables
or chairs or napping is allowed in the classroom. Drinks are allowed but you are responsible
for your own mess. No “On” Cell Phones/Pagers during class.
This course and professor comply with
“I encourage students
with disabilities, including “invisible” disabilities such as chronic diseases,
learning, and psychological disabilities, to explain their needs and
appropriate accommodations to the professor during office hours. Please bring a verification of your
disability from the Learning Skills or DSP&S offices and a counselor or
specialist’s recommendations for accommodating your needs.” If you have a
disability that requires accommodations for this class, please contact the
Learning Skills Program at 479-6220 (for students with learning disabilities
and attention deficit disorder) or Disabled Student Services at 479-6379, to
make arrangements as soon as possible."
You
are encouraged to discuss any issues regarding the class or your grade with me.
Please visit me in my office during office hours or make an appointment after
class. Class performance and grades can be discussed on individual basis in my
office. I encourage you to take advantage of my office hours when needed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FALL 2009
|
MONTH/DATE |
DAY |
ASSIGNMENT |
|
August 31 |
M |
Introduction
& Orientation |
|
Sept 2 |
W |
Read Ch 1
|
|
7 |
M |
|
|
9 |
W |
Read
Ch 2 |
|
14 |
M |
Read
Ch 2, 3 |
|
16 |
W |
(Unconstitutional
Video I) Apply Ch 1-3 (submission available) |
|
21 |
M |
Read
Ch 4 - Video Report Final Due Date on Blkboard |
|
23 |
W |
Read
Ch 5 - Hmk I available for submission
– Blackboard. |
|
28 |
M |
Ch 6 (HMK I Final DUE Date: Case 3.3 pg 108 & 5.3 pg 168) |
|
30 |
W |
Ch
6 Video II (OJ S. Criminal Trial)----Exam I Review |
|
Oct 5 |
M |
Exam I (Ch 1-6) – Video
Report Final Due Date |
|
7 |
W |
Read Ch 7 |
|
12 |
M |
Read
Ch 8 |
|
14 |
W |
Read
Ch 9 (Article Summary II available
for submission) |
|
19 |
M |
Ch
9 (Article Summary II due before class on Blk board) |
|
21 |
W |
Read
Ch 10 |
|
26 |
M |
Ch
13 (HMK II Final DUE Date: Case 7.4 pg
233, 8.4 pg 267) |
|
28 |
W |
Read
Ch 13 Video (Strict Liability) Exam
II Review |
|
Nov 2 |
M |
Exam II (Ch 7-10 & 13) |
|
4 |
W |
Read
Ch 18 ( |
|
9 |
M |
Veterans
Day – No Class |
|
11 |
W |
Court
Visit Presentations I (submit on Blackboard before class) |
|
16 |
M |
Read
Ch 20 |
|
18 |
W |
Ch
21 + The Madoff Affair video (Frontline)
|
|
23 |
M |
Court
Visit Presentations II |
|
25 |
W |
Ch
22 (HMK III Due Date: Case 20.5
pg 637 & 22.6 pg 697) |
|
30 |
M |
Court
Visit Presentations III |
|
Dec 2 |
W |
Court
Visit Presentations IV |
|
7 |
M |
Ch
22 - Exam Review |
|
9 |
W |
Exam III (Ch 18,20-22) Last
Exam. |
|
14/16 |
M/W |
Open |
|
|
|
Enjoy the holidays… |
THE ABOVE SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE AND MAY CHANGE AT ANYTIME BY THE PROFESSOR. PRIOR NOTICE WILL BE PROVIDED PRIOR TO ANY CHANGES. YOUR COOPERATION IN MEETING CLASS OBJECTIVES IS APPRECIATED.
HMK= Homework due date, Cases are located at end of each chapter, i.e. 1.8 is a case at end of Ch1
Exam Reviews maybe found online @ http://www.Cabrillo.cc.ca.us/~mhassan/page12.html
In
order to conserve paper, increase efficiency of the learning process, and
provide you with more flexibility, all homework assignments will be accepted
electronically only by you submitting the assignment under the appropriate link
in the Blackboard system. You can access Blackboard at http://online.carbillo.edu Set up your
username and password then look for your Bus 18 class. All due dates will be
set according to the syllabus, but all will expire by beginning of class time
on the due date, i.e. 930 am or 11:10am.
HOMEWORK
ASSIGNMENT FORMAT (CASES) (you must follow this procedure and format to receive a grade).
3@ 20pts ea.
ISSUE: In this section, you need
to state the primary issues or questions of the case. What are you being asked
to determine? What is the issue of the case that you will be addressing? It is
important to state the correct issues because the following two sections will
depend on the ISSUE section. Often, the issue section is stated as part of the
case. A brief description and statements
of the case should be sufficient. (2 pt)
DECISION/JUDGMENT: In this section, you are
to make a judgmental decision based on your reading material, knowledge of the
subject, class discussions, and overall comprehension of the case. Your
decision needs to be stated clearly in few sentences. This section is important
as it is the heart of the case, however, your support and reasoning for your
decision may provide sufficient and acceptable justification. It is important
to rely on your readings, notes, and class discussions. (2 pts)
REASONS/SUPPORT: This is a crucial section.
Here you should provide ample support to your DECISION/Judgment. Your support
should come from the laws, procedures, and policies discussed in the book. The support should provide the reasoning and
answering the WHY question for your DECISION/Judgment
It
is essential to read the chapters prior to performing the homework. I encourage
all of you to ask me questions. (6pts)
Total
points for each homework is 20, paper must be professionally typed (spell
checked), with appropriate required format. Partial credit will be given to
those who provide sufficient/educated REASONS/SUPPORT to their DECISION!
Homework is graded on the basis of legal analysis and application of chapter
material. Be Thorough and refer to the book in your response. You must
reference the book in your answers. Always support your answers.
ALL HOMEWORKS MUST BE TYPED.
ALL HOMEWORKS ARE DUE BY THE FINAL DUE
DATES ONLY. Not typed, Not Stapled, or
not following above format hmk will not be accepted, zero grade, no exception.
Court Visit Application Paper (35
pts, 25 pts paper+10pts presentation)
The purpose of this assignment is to
familiarize and expose you to the
You may visit a court hearing at the Santa Cruz
Court House on any day during the semester (on your own time). You must provide
the following: 1) dept # /(court #), date,
judge’s name, summary of hearing or trial, purpose of hearing, discussion of
proceedings, crimes being tried, procedures observed, and laws addressed. 2) Incorporate
course subjects and chapters discussed during the semester. Be specific in
relating your visit to subjects covered in Bus Law class and/or book. It is
very important to incorporate specific chapter materials to your observation.
Be clear and provide details. 3) opinion/reflection of the visit, and
observation in relation to what you have learned in the Bus Law class. Report should be 3-4 pages (double spaced)
and spell checked. A ten minute presentation is required. Present the case
profile, outcomes of your visit, how the cases observed related to class
material, reflection and opinion. Presentation needs to be professional, and
comprehensive. (
No Late assignments or make
ups will be accepted during the semester. Thank you.
Article
Summaries (2 @ 15pts ea)
The purpose of the article summaries is to
bring "real world" examples to the classroom. The example must relate
to the subjects or chapters discussed in the class in a direct or indirect
fashion. The articles should be as current as possible and reflect a major
news, event, action, or development. The article may relate to local, national
or international issues. Choose only articles of substance with contributions
or attributions to class material and discussions. You must present one of
your summaries in class. Presentation dates will be assigned. You will
need to submit your article summary via Blackboard system prior to your class
presentation. Presentation is worth 10 points.
The summaries must be spell checked and
typed.They must be turned-in in a
professional manner. Article web link and source must be indicated with each
summary. ALL MUST BE TYPED & SUBMITTD VIA BLACKBOARD BY DUE DATE/TIME. Articles
must be submitted prior to your presentation. Summaries can be 2-4 pages typed double sp.
Summaries:
Select an article from the Wall Street
Journal online or paper, NY Times, Business Week online or paper, or search the
Internet for business news. You may also select an article from a credible
journal, website or magazine (no tabloids, or unofficial websites please). Other suggestions:
If you have any questions or need further details, don’t hesitate to contact or see me. Information is provided in this course for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
BUS LAW – MW 9:30 or 11:10 am – Fall 2009
- Please detach and turn in next class.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is to certify that you have read
and understood the above syllabus/contract and requirements of this course. Any
changes to this contract can only be assigned by the professor of the course.
I acknowledge
and accept the policies and requirements of BUS 18 class and fully understand
the consequences on my grade of not following or meeting them.
Name:
___________________________. Date:
______________
Signature:
___________________________Class Time: _____________________