UNDERGRADUATE

COURSE SYLLABUS

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

BUSI 311- BUSINESS LAW 1
SECTION B
SYLLABUS FALL 2014
COURSE INFORMATION BUSINESS LAW I SEC. B
CREDITS

PRE-REQUISITES

BUSI 101 & BUSI 211

DAYS AND
TIMES

Sundays, Tues. & Thursdays

11:00 11:50 Am

LOCATION

B 103

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
NAME

Susan Montaquila
J.D.

OFFICE

B 219

E-MAIL
OFFICE HOURS

smontaquila@aud.edu

PHONE

04 318 3308

Sun.: 11:50am-3:00 pm.; Mon: 12:15-3:00; 4:156:00 p.m.; Weds: 12:15pm-3:00 p.m.; 4:15-6:00
p.m.

DESCRIPTION
This course serves as an introduction to the issues arising in the legal environment in which
businesses operate. Consideration is given to the law of contracts, business torts, business
and white collar crimes, agency law, and potential business liability exposure.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Define and explain the basic legal issues that arise in the world of business.
2. Define and explain the law of contracts, business torts and crime, warranties, agency
law, and potential liability exposure.
3. Actively participate, discuss, identify and synthesize legal principals applied to real world
business cases.
4. Demonstrate the ability to analyze business cases and create and interface between the
cases and the theoretical knowledge developed in the class.

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TEXTBOOKS AND ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

1.

Dynamic Business Law (2nd edition): Kubasek, Browne, et.al.

2.

Handouts

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
TESTS (50%)
STUDENTS MUST KEEP UP WITH THE ASSIGNED READINGS IN THE TEXTBOOK ON A WEEKLY BASIS. IN
ADDITION, STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO READ ANY HANDOUTS THAT MIGHT BE GIVEN IN CLASS.
TESTS ARE BASED ON ASSIGNED READINGS INCLUDING HANDOUTS, IN CLASS LECTURES AND
POWERPOINT SLIDES

Group Presentation and Research Paper (40%)

The group presentation is completed in teams composed of four to five students on a
specific topic related to the course, which must have the instructors approval.
Each member of the team must prepare a distinct and separate area of the topic.
A list of suggested topics will be provided when the assignment is made. The teams
topic must be approved by the professor.
In-Class Participation (10%)
In-class participation denotes actively participating in class discussion and answering
Socratic questions. The professor will call on students, at random, to discuss issues
related to the reading assigned for that class session.
Students are not graded on whether they give the correct answer or how well they
answer the question, but on whether they are prepared to engage in the discussion (i.e.
if they have satisfactorily completed the assigned reading and are listening carefully in
class). Due to the nature of the course and the professor will be discussing material NOT
in the textbook. Thus attendance is mandatory and will be taken at each class.

STUDENT EVALUATION PLAN

There will be two weighted tests. The overall course grade is based on the two test scores,
class participation and attendance and the group written and oral projects. Tests may
contain a variety of different question styles including multiple choice, true/false and essay.
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All tests are strictly closed-book. . All tests are required. Tests cannot be made up unless
under exceptional circumstances outlined in the Student Handbook.
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE POLICY
Class attendance is mandatory. Due to the nature of the course, attendance and class
participation are both important aspects of the learning experience. For this reason,
students are expected to arrive to class on-time, to attend all classes, and actively
participate in class discussions. Attendance records will be maintained. No more than
three absences will be excused after which points will be deducted from your final grade.
Active participation in the Socratic Method is 10% of your final grade. Students will get
one excused for one absence and illnesses as documented under the policies in the
Student Handbook, after which, points will be deducted from the In-Class
Participation component of the course grade for any absence or tardiness.

Test 1

Test 2

Group Project- Oral

Presentation, December 8,
10, 12; Written Research
paper due 1 week before oral

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25 %
LO 1,2, 3.
LO 4.

25 %
LO 1,2,3
LO 4.

Topics:
Ch 1: Introduction to Law
Ch 9: Introduction to
Contracts
Ch 10: Mutual Assent
Ch 11: Conduct Invalidating
Mutual Assent
Ch 12: Consideration
Ch 13: Illegal Bargains
Ch 14: Contractual
Capacity
Ch. 17: Performance,
Breach, and Discharge &
Ch. 18: Contract Remedies
Topics:
Ch 6: Criminal Law
Ch 7: Intentional Torts
Ch 8: Negligence and Strict
Liability

40%
LO 1, 2, 3.
LO 4.

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Participation & Attendance

10%

GRADING SCALE
LETTER
CODE

PERCENTAGE

LETTER
CODE

PERCENTAGE

90-100

70-73

A-

8789

C-

67-69

B+
B
BC+

84-86
80-83
77-79
74-76

D+
D
F
W

64-66
60-63
< 60
n/a

Note: To obtain a W grade, students must withdraw from the course prior to week 9 for Fall
and Spring semesters or before the end of week 4 for the Summer term. After this date, it is not
possible to withdraw from the course.

ACADEMIC POLICIES
Academic Integrity
Academic honesty is of utmost importance at AUD, as described in the Student Handbook.
Students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity by completing their own work,
assignments and other assessment exercises. Submission of work from another person,
whether it is from printed sources or someone other than the student; previously graded
papers; papers submitted without proper citations; or submitting the same paper to
multiple courses without the knowledge of all instructors involved can result in a failing
grade. Incidents involving academic dishonesty will be reported to university officials for
appropriate sanctions.
Furthermore, students must always submit work that represents their original words or
ideas. If any words or ideas used in a class posting or assignment submission do not
represent the students original words or ideas, all relevant sources must be cited along with
the extent to which such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citation include,
but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not,
and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly
originates from an identifiable source.
Make-up
SBA Undergraduate Exams make up policy.
No midterm make-up examinations will be given except for truly and strongly justifiable cases
such as accidents, or severe illness. Students are required to submit legitimate support
documents to the course professor within 12 hours of the event s occurrence that forced the
student to miss her/his exam. Students may send the supporting documents by email if they
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are unable to physically submit them. Immediate relatives may submit documents on their
behalf if the student is unable to deliver them by any mean. Note that delayed requests will be
rejected. The request for make-up exams requires the approval by the professor of the course,
and the ratification by Departments Chair. Approved make-ups must be taken at no later than
one week from the date on which the Exam was missed.
Note: There will be no Make-up exams for the missed Final Exams.
Scheduled class meetings that do not take place because of declared holidays, instructor
illness or any unforeseen circumstances will be rescheduled by the University or the
instructor. These make up class sessions will be scheduled during the Study/Make-up
period allotted at the end of the semester, or by arrangement with the instructor. Any class
activity (lecture, exam, class presentation, etc.) that cannot be performed because of such
class cancellations will take place during the first class meeting held after reconvening, in
order to preserve the order of the class schedule as much as possible.
No make-up or late submission will be permitted for late projects, assignments, case
studies, quizzes, or presentations under any circumstances .
Students with Special Needs
A student with documentation of disabilities and in need of special accommodations during
class sessions or exams should contact AUDs Student Services Office for assessments. It is
the responsibility of the student (and not the faculty member) to contact the office for an
interview and assessment. Any approved special accommodations or adaptations will be
coordinated between Student Services and the faculty member.
Classroom Atmosphere
As a courtesy to others, cell phones and any similar electronic devices must be silenced or
turned off so that they will not disturb the class. Students who violate this policy or who are
otherwise disruptive may be told to leave the classroom. YOUR CELL PHONE MUST BE
TURNED OFF AND PUT AWAY DURING CLASS.
Possession of cell phones and the like during tests will result in an automatic failing grade
(F) for the test. All phones, etc. will be collected before each test.
Blackboard & AUD email
You are expected to check both Blackboard <http://ecourses.aud.edu/> and your AUD
email account on a regular basis.
Course Outline

TOPIC

CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS

Jan. 14
Jan. 16
Jan. 19
Jan. 21
Jan. 23

Introduction to Law

Read Ch. 1

Introduction to Law

Read Ch. 1

Introduction to Contracts

Read Ch. 13

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Jan. 26
Jan. 28
Jan. 30
Feb. 2
Feb. 4

Introduction to Contracts

Read Ch. 13
Read Ch. 14, 15, 17

Feb. 6
Feb. 9
Feb. 11

Mutual Assent;
Consideration;
Conduct Invalidating
Consideration
Illegal Bargains
Contract Remedies
Contract Remedies

Feb. 13

Capacity and Legality

Read Ch. 16

Feb. 16
Feb. 18 TEST I
Feb. 20

Contracts in Writing
TEST 1
Crime & Business
Community
Elements of Crime
Property Crimes against
Business
White Collar Crime

Read. Ch. 18
TEST 1
Ch. 7

March 2
March 4
March 6

Defenses to Crime

Read Ch. 7

March 9-13

Spring Break
No Class
Classification of Torts
Intentional Torts
Damages

No class

Negligence
Strict Liability
Elements of Negligence

Ch. 9
Ch. 9
Ch. 9

Defenses to Negligence

Read Ch. 9

Product Liability
Test 2

Read Ch. 10
Test 2

Agency

Read Ch. 33
Ch. 34

Feb. 23
Feb. 25
Feb. 27

March 16
March 18
March 20
March 23
March 25
March 27
March 30
April 1
April 3
April 6
April 8
April 10
TEST 2
April 13
April 15

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Read Ch. 15
Read Ch. 20
Read Ch. 20

Ch. 7
Ch. 7
Ch. 7

Read Ch. 8
Ch. 8
Ch. 8

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April 17
April 20

Group Oral Presentations

Research Papers Due one

week before oral
presentation date

April 22
April 24

Group Oral Presentations

April 27 11:30 am

Group Oral Presentations

Research Papers Due one

week before oral
presentation date
Research Papers Due one
week before oral
presentation date

AUD Student ID cards required for tests

Be sure to have your AUD Student ID Card with you for all tests. If you do not bring proper
identification to the classroom at the time of the test.
Drop/Add
The Drop/Add period is from January 13-16 2014 only.
Withdrawal deadline for the Spring 2014 Semester
The last day to withdraw from classes is March 6, 2014. The Registrars Office has an online
withdrawal system (e-Withdrawal) that you can use if you decide to withdraw from this course.
SECTIONS
This syllabus is for Section B only. If you are registered in Section B, then you must
take your tests only with Section B. No excuses.

Accordingly, if you should wish to change sections, then kindly note that you can only
do so officially. This would have to be done during the Drop/Add period.

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