Business Law - BMGT-151

Course Syllabus
FALL 2014 3 Semester Hours
Ajile F. Brown, Esquire - Adjunct Professor
Business and Computers Division
ajilebrown@howardcc.edu
Contact No.: 443-801-5590
Office Hours: By Appointment
Betty Noble-Associate Chair - 443-518-4111
Course Info: BMGT 151.003 Tuesday & Thursday 9:30am 10:50am
BMGT 151.004 Tuesday & Thursday 11:00am 12:20pm
Course Description
This introductory course provides students with an opportunity to study law and its
impact on business. Students will learn basic legal concepts and their application to real
world business issues. Students will build a vocabulary unique to business and the law
and develop critical thinking skills that are essential to analyzing cases and making
sound business decisions. The course will provide students with an opportunity to study
current legal and ethical issues affecting business, contracts, sales, and the American
legal system. The knowledge and skills gained from Business Law I are useful for careers
in business, human resources, management, alternative dispute resolution, public policy,
sales and entrepreneurship. (3 hours weekly)
Required Text
Dynamic Business Law: The Essentials:2e by Kubasek, Browne, Herron, Giampetro-Meyer
and Barkacs. McGraw-Hill, Irwin (2013) Second Edition
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify and discuss the basic structure of our legal system and its impact on
business transactions.
2. Identify, analyze and articulate legal issues affecting business entities.
3. Discuss pertinent amendments to the Constitution, as well as substantive and
procedural law in the areas of torts, negligence, strict liability, white-collar crimes, and
cybercrimes.

4. Compare the statutory differences between the common law of contracts and
contracts for the sale of goods under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
5. Explain the various types of alternative dispute resolutions (ADRs) and their
impact on todays
businesses.
6. Analyze the interrelationship between business ethics and corporate social
responsibility.
7. Define basic business legal terminology.
8. Discuss current trends in the business law environment.
Major Topics
I. Basic Legal Structures
A. Law, Legal Reasoning and the Legal Profession
B. Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques
C. Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
D. Business and the Constitution
E. Crime and People in Business
II. Common Law Contracts
A. Offer
B. Acceptance
C. Consideration
D. Capacity
E. Consent
F. Illegality
G. Statute of Frauds
H. Parole Evidence Rule
I. Third Parties Rights
J. Performance and Remedies
III. UCC Article 2 Sales Contracts
A. Sales Contract Formation and Terminology
B. Warranties and Product Liability
C. Performance and Remedies
Course Requirements:
Exams (3): Students will be given three (3) exams in this course. The exams will consist
of 50 questions: 25 multiple choice questions and 25 true/false questions.
You Be the Judge Videos: Students will view videos in class involving the relevant legal
topics and will answer questions on the content of the video. Each student will provide
written responses to the scenarios for a grade.
Online Business Law Project (Individual): Each student will be asked to respond to a
business law case scenario in which they will be required to identify issues and define
specific problems in the scenario. Each student will be required to provide written
responses to the fact pattern. Specific information detailing the assignment will be
provided.
Business Law Case Law Project (Team): Students will be given a legal case which will
involve one of the subjects/issues explored during the semester. Each team will have to

write a brief of the case given and include all relevant issues and relevant case law
(precedent). Specific information will be provided.
Business Law Case Law Presentation (Team): During the semester teams of students will
be formed and each team will be responsible for preparing and presenting a case and/or
their business model to the entire class. Specific information detailing the requirements
of the business presentation (Team) will be provided.
Attendance/Class Participation/In-Class Exercises: All students are strongly encouraged
to participate in class discussions and exercises. Students should be aware that this
course will employ in-class exercises as a method for student learning and not being
present for them will impact students ability to successfully complete this course.

Course Requirements
Students are expected to attend class regularly. You are expected to read the daily
assignments in advance of class and be prepared to discuss the material. Since the
teaching method employed in this course relies not just on lecturing, but also on active
classroom participation and open discussion, attendance is important. In order to avoid
an unexcused absence, you must inform me via email, text or telephone before the class
you will miss as to the reason for the absence.
If you miss class, it is your responsibility to check Canvas and/or obtain the notes from
a fellow student and be prepared to participate in the next class. Class participation is a
critical part of the course and requires you to attend class. If you miss class, exams
or assignments FOR ANY REASON, no make-up assignments will be given
without PRIOR arrangement with the professor. Make-up work is given at the
discretion of the professor.
1. Any student with perfect attendance (never absent for any reason, excused
or unexcused) will earn 20 extra points to be added to their total points
earned at the end of the semester.
2. Pop quizzes may be given. If so, they will be administered at the beginning of class.
No make-up quizzes will be given. The points scored on the quizzes will be added to
your final point total as extra points at the end of the semester.
3. Three exams are administered on the dates and times set forth in the Course
Schedule. The exams are not cumulative.
4. Written/Online assignments and a Business Law Project will be required.
Students final grade will be based on points assigned as follows:
Exam #1
100 points
Exam #2
100 points
Exam #3
100 points
Online Business Law Tort Project
100 points
Business Law Case Law Project (Team)
100 points
Bus. Law Oral Presentation (Team)
100 points
Reflective Written Assignment
50 points

You Be the Judge (10 points x 5)

50 points
700 points
(plus any additional points earned (Quizzes and
Perfect Attendance)

Total Points - 700 points divided by 7 = Final Course Grade

Course Grading Method:
The final course grade will be determined by the average of the students scores
on the three (3) exams, and the assigned material based on a 100 point scale including
the Online Business Law Tort Project and Business Law Case Law Project. It is important
that all papers are turned in on the due dates.

The grading scale is as follows:

A = 90 - 100

Mastery of course objectives; outstanding academic achievement

B = 80 - 89

Mastery of course objectives; high quality of academic achievement

C = 70 - 79

Adequate mastery of course objective

D = 60 - 69

Minimal attainment of objectives; minimal passing grade

F = Below 60

Lack of attainment of course objectives

If, as the course progresses, you become concerned about your grade or have any
questions or comments about the course material, please take the opportunity to discuss
the matter with me or you may set up an appointment or contact me at
ajilebrown@howardcc.edu.
Classroom Etiquette
1. If you are unable to attend class for any reason please email or text the professor.
If you are sick please provide a doctors note or other supporting documentation so
that the absence can be excused. Otherwise, it will be counted as an unexcused
absence.
2. If I am unable to attend class for any reason, either a written project will be
assigned for completion and must be turned in at the next scheduled class period,
or I will have a substitute cover the required material for that class. The written
project will count as extra points that will be added to your final points at the end
of the semester.
3. Each student shall be responsible for signing the class roster during each class
session.

4. Open discussion is encouraged and students are expected to respect the rights
and opinions of others during class.
5. Cell phone use is not permitted in class, this includes texting. NO
EXCEPTIONS! Phones should be turned off or on vibrate. If you must take a call
or send/receive a text please excuse yourself and step outside the classroom. The
Howard Community College Student Handbook 2012-2013 on page 70 states: Use
of cellular phones or pagers during class. Students who bring such devices to class
must disengage or place devices on inaudible signal so as not to disturb or
interfere with classroom activities. These devices may not be used in the
classroom.
6. It is the policy of the professor not to accept any late papers.
Assignments/papers are considered late if they are turned in after class ends on
the date the assignment/paper is due. If upon providing a valid excuse, the
professor, at her discretion, allows a student to turn in a late paper a minimum of
10 points per day will be deducted from the paper. If the paper/assignment is
more than 3 days late it will NOT be accepted.
7. NO make up exams will be given.
8. Classes affected by late starts or early closings will be held if there are more than
30 minutes of scheduled class time either after the late start or before the early
closing. If there are 30 minutes or less of class time, the class is considered
cancelled.

Howard Community College Statement of Excellence:

Howard Community College is committed to providing a high-quality learning experience
that results in a growth in knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to function
successfully as a transfer student, in a career, and as a citizen. To accomplish this goal,
we maintain high academic standards and expect students to accept responsibility for
their individual growth by attending class, completing all homework and other
assignments, participating in class activities and preparing for tests.
We take seriously our responsibility to, maintain high-quality programs and will
periodically ask you to participate in assessment activities to determine whether our
students are attaining the knowledge, attitudes, and skills appropriate to various courses
and programs. The assessment activities may take many different forms such as
surveys, standardized or faculty-developed tests, discussion groups or portfolio
evaluations. We ask that you take these activities seriously so that we can obtain valid
data to use for the continuous improvement of HCCs courses and programs. If you have
read this far, email your professor for 5 extra credit points. This offer expires after the
first week of class (August 29, 2014).
Other Course Information
Confidentiality Policy: Students may be exposed to proprietary information from other
students, guest lecturers, or faculty in this course. All such information should be

treated as confidential. You must agree not to disclose this information to a third party
without specific written permission from the owner. You must also agree not to utilize
any such proprietary information for your own personal commercial advantage or that of
any third party.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
The college expects academic honesty from its students.
Academic Honesty means the use of ones own thoughts and materials in the writing of
papers, taking of tests, and other classroom related activities. Any student intentionally
aiding another student in any infraction of the academic honesty policy is considered
equally guilty. Students are expected to give full credit for the borrowing of others words
or ideas. Intentional or unintentional use of anothers words or ideas without
acknowledging this use constitutes plagiarism:
There are four common forms of plagiarism:
The duplication of an authors words without quotation marks and accurate references
or footnotes.
The duplication of authors words or phrases with footnotes or accurate references, but
without quotation marks.
The use of an authors ideas in paraphrase without accurate references or footnotes.
Submitting a paper in which exact words are merely rearranged even though
footnoted.
Misrepresentation is the submission of materials for evaluation that are not the students
own. Unauthorized use of notes or another individuals materials, copying, using another
individuals materials, or unauthorized prior knowledge of the contents of tests, quizzes
or other assessment instruments shall be considered a violation of the Academic Honesty
Policy.

PENALTIES
Procedures for dealing with intentional infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy are
found in the Student Handbook
http://www.howardcc.edu/students/student_life/hcc_policies_and_procedures/student_han
dbook/Handbook%2007-08%20Policies.pdf
Course Syllabus Statement
The following outcomes are instilled in various courses throughout each associate degree
program in the Business and Computer Systems Division. By completion of a program,
each graduate of the Division is expected to have achieved these outcomes. They serve
as the basis for transfer to a baccalaureate program and functioning in a business career.
Division Outcomes

1. Engage in an actual business setting (real-time, real-life experience) in order to

develop a practical understanding of how to function within that setting.
2. Communicate effectively and deliver professional oral and written
presentation(s) in various business settings.
3. Operate in an ethical, professional manner consistent with the career
field.
4. Function in an up-to-date technological environment, consistent with the chosen
career field.
5. Demonstrate understanding of financial foundations of business operations.
6. Demonstrate the ability to think critically (problem-solve, be creative,
make decisions).
7. Function as a team member and leader in a cooperative and goal-directed manner.
8. Use accepted data-gathering and analysis techniques.
9. Incorporate awareness of global impacts on commerce and business.
10.
Demonstrate an openness to change and be able to function in an
environment of change.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS (subject to change)

Aug 26

Introductions and Syllabus Review

Chapter 1 Intro to Fundamentals of Dynamic Business Law
And Business Ethics

Aug 28

Chapter 1 Intro to Fundamentals of Dynamic Business Law

And Business Ethics (continued)

Sept 2
Resolution

Chapter 2 The U.S. Legal System and Alternative Dispute

Part 1 The U.S. Legal System

Sept 4
Resolution

Chapter 2 The U.S. Legal System and Alternative Dispute

Part 2- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Video #6 Law: Alternative Dispute Resolution

Sept 9
Clause

Chapter 4 Constitutional Law Commerce Clause, Supremacy

Video #7 -Domestic Surveillance Debate

Sept 11

Chapter 4 Constitutional Law Bill of Rights and other Amendments

Video #19 Freedom of Speech/Westboro Baptist Church

Sept 16
Crime

Chapter 5 Criminal Law and Business The Nature and Elements of

White Collar Crimes
Video#17 and Video #18 (Corporate Crackdown/SARBOX)
REFLECTIVE WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT DUE

Sept 18

Chapter 5 Criminal Law and Business (continued)

Exam Review

Sept 23

EXAM #1 (Chapters 1, 2, 4 and 5)

Sept 25

Chapter 6 Tort Law

Video #22 Bed Bug Lawsuit: $20 million for 500 bites?

Sept 30

Chapter 6 Tort Law Continued

You Be The Judge #4 Defamation: Trashing the French Maid

Oct 2

Chapter 7 Real, Personal and Intellectual Property

Kelo v. City of New London (The Takings Clause)

Oct 7

Chapter 7 Real, Personal and Intellectual Property Continued

You Be the Judge #17 Intellectual Property: The Yoga Posture

Oct 9

Chapter 8 Intro to Contracts and Agreements

Contracts (Agreement =Offer + Acceptance)

Oct 14
continued
Oct 16

Chapter 8 Contracts (Agreement =Offer + Acceptance)

Chapter 9 - Contracts: Consideration
You Be the Judge - #7 Verbal Agreement: Recording Studio Blues

Oct 21

Chapter 10 Contracts: Capacity and Legality

Oct 23

Exam #2 (Chapters 6,7, 8, 9 and 10)

Oct 28

Chapter 11 Contracts: Reality of Assent

You Be The Judge #9 Property: Subtracting the Addition

Oct 30

Chapter 12 Contracts in Writing and Third Party Contracts

Statute of Frauds (pgs 221-232)

Nov 4

Chapter 12 Contracts in Writing and Third Party Contracts

Assignments and Delegations (pgs 232-243)

Nov 6

Chapter 13 Contracts: Discharge and Remedies

ONLINE BUSINESS LAW PROJECT DUE

Nov 11

Chapter 13 Contracts: Discharge and Remedies (Monetary Damages)

Nov 13

Chapter 14 Formation and Performance of Sales and Lease Contracts

The Uniform Commercial Code

Nov 18

Chapter 14 Formation and Performance of Sales and Lease Contracts

The Uniform Commercial Code (continued)

Nov 20
Remedies

Chapter 15 Sales and Lease Contracts: Performance, Warranties,

Video #15 FDA Rules Popular Prescriptions Give Warnings about
Possible Deadly Side Effects
You Be the Judge - #6 Warranty: Who is Distorting What?

Nov 25

Chapter 15 - continued

Dec 2

BUSINESS LAW CASE LAW PROJECT DUE

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BEGIN

Dec 4

BUSINESS LAW CASE LAW PROJECT DUE

ORAL PRESENTATIONS CONTINUED
Last Day of Class

Dec 11

Week)

EXAM #3 (Chapter 11 15)

9:30 am class: EXAM #3 (8:00am 10:00am) (Final Exam
Week)
11:00am class: EXAM #3 (10:30am -12:30pm)(Final Exam