Online Business Law I (BUSI-131) Course Syllabus
Patricia L. Estabrook
e-mail: pestabro@raritanval.edu
Please do not use the above Outlook e-mail address unless the WeCT e-mail with the course is not functioning.
SPECIAL ASPECTS OF ONLINE BUSINESS LAW I
Please read this syllabus carefully and also study the Course Calendar (accessible from the Homepage) so that you can see at the outset what is expected from you - and conversely, what you can expect from the course
Like most online students, you have probably taken Online Business Law I rather than the traditional classroom version because the online mode of delivery allows you freedom from being in a specific place at a definite time. It is true that you can study at any time and at any place that you find convenient and that flexibility will, of course, save you time. However, the online format does not in any way decrease the time that must be spent studying, doing course assignments, and preparing for tests and exams.
Arguably, an online course is a more difficult one for many students because the very flexibility that makes it a desirable alternative is also the aspect which requires that each student be sufficiently independent and have enough initiative to complete assignments, participate in online class discussions, and keep pace with the calendar of assignments/tests set forth by the instructor. It can be fatal for a student to fall behind. If you are the kind of person who thrives in an atmosphere where no one is constantly reminding you of deadlines and test dates, then an online course is the one for you!
On the other hand, if you don't prepare for class unless you believe that the instructor will be calling on you; if you must not only have a deadline for handing in assignments, but need constant reminders; if you can't express yourself in writing (as you must do when e-mail is a major course component); if you must have much of the textbook explained to you - then you are not a candidate for an online course.
Class discussionw will be conducted as Topics (Check the Course Calendar, accessible via the Homepage, to see the schedule). Participation is mandatory and, as noted elsewhere in the syllabus, will constitute 10% of the final grade. Where you might be able to sit silently in a traditionally taught classroom course for the entire semester without penalty, that will not be the case in an online course. You are expected to participate in the Topics on a regular basis, and your presence (or absence) will be noted. The computer will automatically count the number of times that you participate in the discussions.
In Business Law I, some Topics will be introduced by a video presenting a hypothetical case problem which will be the taking off point for the class discussion. "Hypotheticals" are short, generally amusing, and present real life situations which dramatize a legal problem. Text versions of these hypotheticals are also posted in the Topics area.
Topics are also the place to discuss current legal issues, such as timely United Supreme Court decisions, as well as to clarify and elaborate on points made in the assigned chapters. I will be participating in these discussions some of the time - but again - this aspect of the course, as all others, is student driven. You are expected to initiate the discussion and to drive it - to stimulate each other. If necessary, I will focus, direct, challenge, and/or to correct misconceptions, but I will not be a constant and regular participant. Since communications in the forum will NOT be in real time, you can feel free to post messages whenever it is convenient to do so.
If you already know how to send/receive e-mail and how to navigate through an online course, you probably have both the mindset and requisite abilities to take this course. If you have not already read Getting Started (accessible via the Homepage), please do so now so that you can familiarize yourself with the course icons.
The next step will be to spend the first couple of class days on the Orientation section of Chapter One, Part One (see Course Calendar accessible via Homepage) in order to allow you to familiarize yourself with the course icons and other course tools.
Since e-mail within WebCT is the primary mode of instructor-student communication, please check your e-mail several times a week so that you don't miss class announcements. And e-mail me with any questions that you may have. All student e-mails are responded to in a timely manner.
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introduction to the study of law as it relates to society, with special emphasis on business applications. General areas covered include: an overview of law, court systems and procedure, introduction to legal research, torts, contracts and agency. This course is also based on a broader premise that the law is worthy of the study and respect of all educated persons irrespective of discipline.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
A. The specific goal of Business Law I is to provide the student with a functional familiarity with some major legal principles affecting business persons and business transactions. However, the course is based on the broader premise that the law is worthy of the respect and study of all educated persons irrespective of discipline. In our complex society, it behooves us all to be conversant with the legal process.
B. The study of Business Law I should foster a degree of mental discipline not readily attainable elsewhere. To solve a legal problem, a student must recognize precise legal issues and then apply the appropriate law in an effort to reach a reasonable solution. This analytic approach to problem solving should prove useful in other areas as well.
TEXTBOOK
Clarkson, et al., West's Business Law, Text, Cases, Legal, Ethical, International, E-Commerce Environment, Thomson-Southwestern Publishing Co., Tenth Ed., 2006.
Our text is a combination hornbook and casebook, i.e., the authors have not only set forth and explained principles of law - but have also included actual cases which illustrate the applicability of these rules of law to specific fact situations. Although heavily edited, these cases are interesting to read and will also expose you to the court's rationale in a given case.
Some of the chapters in the text conclude with a special section called Law on the Web. These sections describe – and provide Internet addresses for – resources available on the Internet relating to topics covered in the chapters. Finally, West's Business Law Home Page can be accessed at http://www.westbuslaw.com.
OUTLINE OF TOPICS TO BE COVERED
The Legal Environment of Business
Torts
Contracts
Agency
WRITTEN/ORAL ASSIGNMENTS
1. Selected End of Chapter Case Questions (Case Problems). See Course Calendar for respective due dates. E-mail to instructor either as Microsoft WORD attachments or by typing answers into the e-mail directly.
The papers will be graded E (Excellent, grade eqivalent of 95 ), S+ (Very Good, grade equivalent of 89), S (Satisfactory, grade equivalent of 75), S- (Just O.K., grade equivalent of 70), U (Unsatisfactory, grade equivalent of 60), 0 (Not Submitted, grade equivalent of 50) - rough equivalencies of A, B, C, D, F. At the end of the semester, the average of the homework grades will be taken and will constitute 10% of your final grade.
At the end of the semester, the average of the homework grades will be taken and will constitue 10% of your final grade.
No submissions of homework assignments will be accepted after the due date.
Suggested responses to the homework problems will be e-mailed by the instructor after the homework assignments have been corrected, graded, and returned to students.
2. Discussion Participation: Students are required to participate in the scheduled Discussion Topics. See Course Calendar for dates of topics/hypotheticals covered. The grade for Topics participation will be based on number and quality of postings. Postings of little or no substantive value will not count. Nor will multiple postings which do not move the discussion forward. The entire semester's Topics participation will be reflected in one Topics grade which will be given at the end of the semester when the final grades are figured.
The Topics grade will constitute 10% of the final grade.
Please note that the day after each Timed Test closes, the Topics area for that unit of study will close. The next unit's Topic area will then open and will remain open until the test for that unit closes
3. Timed Tests: There will be a 50 question objective timed test at the end of the following chapters:
Chapters One and Two (Test #1
Chapters Six and Seven (Test #2);
Chapters Ten and Eleven (Test #3);
Chapters Twelve and Thirteen (Test #4);
Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen (Test #5);
Chapters Seventeen and Thirty One (Test #6).
The last test (#6) will be the Final Exam.
Each test will be weighted equally. Numerical grades will be given.
At the end of the semester, the average of these numerical grades will constitute 80% of your final grade.
The timed tests will be administered, graded, and recorded within WebCT. It will not be possible for you to view each question marked incorrect. Nor is it possible for me to e-mail individuals with explanations of each question missed. However, if you wish to review your test, you may e-mail me within 2 days of taking the test to arrange a mutually convenient time when you can review that test with me on the phone.
PASSWORDS
Please note that this course is passworded. It is your responsibility to change your password at the times that the MIS Department has determined. If you do not do so, you will be automatically locked out of the course until you contact the MIS Department to reopen the course for you. If you are locked out on the last day that a test is open, you will be prevented from taking the test.
GRADING PROCEDURES/FINAL GRADES
Final grades will be ascertained in the following way:
End of Chapter Questions - 10%
Topics Participation - 10%
Timed Tests - 80%
The numerical equivalencies are set forth above so that you know how the grades will be averaged at the end of the semester. For example, the grade of a student who has a test average of 80, a homework average of S, and a Topics average of S+ would be calculated by adding 80% of 80, 10% of 75, and 10% of 89, for a final grade of 80.4, or a B.
If a plus grade is given, it will indicate that the student has achieved a numerical average of 88 or better in the case of a B+, or a 78 or better in the case of a C+. Numerical averages below those numbers will not be awarded plus grades in this course.
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
I encourage you to utilize the Study Guide. Business Law is a bit overwhelming at first because of the unfamiliar terms and the apparently countless number of legal rules you must remember. The Study Guide highlights important concepts and terminology and provides a framework for organizing your studying. The combination of the text, the Study Guide, the PowerPoint presentations, and the streamed videos will provide you with a comprehensive learning experience.
Additionally, you should not forget our own RVCC Library which has a fine collection of legal publications, including many New Jersey references. If you wish to elaborate on what is covered in the classroom in the areas of contracts or torts, the Library also has Corbin on Contractsand Prosser on Torts. You should not forget the New Jersey Law Journal and the New Jersey Lawyer, both weekly newspapers for lawyers. Nor should you overlook daily newspapers and newsmagazines which contain a wealth of law-related articles.
Your text Glossary is a good place to start when you come across an unfamiliar word. If you want a more complete dictionary, the RVCC Book Store has several different ones available. Lawyers have their own vocabulary; to do well, you must master it.