BA 207 - Business Law 1

Online Class Syllabus

Professor: Garret Brand, JD
Office: 309 Main
Phone: 616.234.4308
e-Mail: gbrand@grcc.edu
Website: http://www.grcc.edu/gbrand

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to legal rights, jurisdiction and the courts, dispute resolution, torts, business crimes, contracts, warranty and product liability, agency, consumer, environmental, employment and property law.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Business Law Today, 7th Edition, The Essentials, Miller & Jentz, West Thomson Learning. ISBN 0324204841 (can order at GRCC Bookstore)

GRADING:

Assessment Type *Points % of Grade
Quiz Objective (TF,MC, Matching)
25 each x 4 = 100
20%
Practical Exercise Subjective (Short Essay)
25 each x 4 = 100
20%
**Participation Discussions (See Rubric Below)
15 each x 8 = 120
25%
Self-Assessment Assignment (Upload Document)
10 each x 8 = 80
15%
Final Exam Comprehensive (Objective)
100 each x 1 = 100
20%
500
 100%
Scale
A = 100-93% B = 87-82%
C = 77- 72%
D = 67- 62%
A- = 92-90% B- = 81-80%
C- = 71-70%
D- = 61-60%
B+ = 89-88% C+ =79-78%
D+ =69-68%
E = 59 - 0%

*Lowest 25 points dropped if you comply with attendance policy by missing no more than two virtual weeks.
** Participation is crucial to your success in this course. Each student is expected to post in the designated forum at least 3 out of 7 days each week. This standard is a minimum. Simply logging on does not contribute to the class. Participation includes questions or comments about the weekly material, responses to posts made by your professor, or posts that you make as part of a learning activity. Participation does not include e-mails, or posts to the Virtual Office or Virtual Lounge areas. Make sure to logon often to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the number of posts. Weekly participation points are awarded based on the quantity and quality of your posts. The quality of your postings will be evaluated by the following rubric:

15 Participation Points

  • The participant consistently posted insightful comments and questions that prompted on-topic discussion.
  • The participant consistently helped clarify or synthesize other class members' ideas.
  • The participant stated his or her disagreement or objections clearly, yet politely.
  • The participant posted 3 out of 7 days in the appropriate forum.

10 Participation Points

  • The participant was notably lacking in one of the items listed above.
  • The participant usually, but not always, expressed herself or himself clearly.
  • The participant posted 2 out of 7 days in the appropriate forum.

5 Participation Points

  • The participant was consistently lacking in two or more of the items listed above.
  • The participant consistently had to be prompted or coaxed to participate.
  • The participant posted 1 out of 7 days in the appropriate forum.

0 Participation Points

  • The participant was rude or abusive to other course participants.
  • The participant consistently failed or refused to participate at all, even when specifically prompted or questioned.
  • The participant 0 out of 7 days in the appropriate forum.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

  1. Describe the nature, sources and major classifications of law.
  2. Identify the constitutional powers of government.
  3. Describe the basic roles and requirements of the American judicial system.
  4. List the steps in traditional and alternative dispute resolution.
  5. Identify intentional torts, negligence and strict liability.
  6. List the major crimes that affect business.
  7. Name the elements and types of contracts.
  8. Describe third party rights and duties.
  9. Outline how a contract can be discharged.
  10. Determine damages available upon contract breach.
  11. Name the expressed and implied warranties.
  12. List the elements and defenses to product liability.
  13. Identify the major laws that protect consumers.
  14. Describe how an agency relationship is formed.
  15. Name the major laws in the area of labor.
  16. Describe the legal rights of employers & employees.
  17. Identify how personal property is acquired & owned.
  18. List the elements and types of bailments.
  19. Identify how real property is acquired & owned.
  20. Identify the major laws that protect the environment.

COURSE POLICIES:

Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty (as defined in the College Handbook and Catalog) may, at the discretion of the professor, result in sanctions that range from a failing grade on the relevant assignment to dismissal from the class and a failing grade. The Student Academic Grievance process can be used by students who feel they have been treated unfairly by this policy.

Assignments
Each week, you will be required to submit assignments. These assignments may include a practical exercise or quiz and self-assessment. Each assignment can be found in the “Assignments” area of your Blackboard course and is due by Sunday at 11:59pm (EST). Self-Assessments are used to evaluate your understanding of chapter concepts, grade your participation and provide feedback to your professor. You will not receive participation points if the self-assessment is not submitted by the deadline. No assignments will be accepted after the week is over (after Sunday at 11:59pm EST).

Attendance
Regular attendance and participation in class is essential. While I recognize that circumstances sometimes prevent students from accessing our online course, the college administration sees excessive absenteeism as a very serious matter. If I am not contacted and you do not withdraw, I may issue the appropriate grade (NS, WP or WF) after you miss more than one (1) week of class. The College makes no distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. If students are not present in a class in which they are enrolled they are simply absent, regardless of the reason.

Communications
You may post general questions about the class in the "Virtual Office" discussion board forum. If you have questions about the weekly materials, post them in the weekly forum created for that purpose. Expect a reply within 24 hours. E-mail should only be used for issues that are not appropriate for the whole class (e.g. questions about your grade, constructive criticism or personal issues). When you e-mail your professor, please include a proper reference in the "subject" field, any message you are responding to, and your name. Your professor will respond to your e-mail within 24 hours. If you don't get a response in timeframe, there is probably a technical problem. Ensure that you regularly check the e-mail account listed for you in Blackboard.

COLLEGE POLICIES:

The academic policies and procedures of GRCC are outlined in the College Catalog. College-wide policies and procedures, to include (but not limited to) grading, Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Student Right to Know, Privacy, Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, Americans with Disability Act (ADA), concealed weapons, smoking, campus crime, copyright, academic grievances and discipline grievances, are at http://www.grcc.edu/catalog. Additional policies, to include (but not limited to) academic integrity, disability support services, posting/distributing literature, selling merchandise, fundraising, classroom disruption, conduct and substance abuse, can be found in the GRCC Student Handbook at http://www.grcc.edu/handbook. These policies and procedures are subject to change and incorporated by reference.

LEARNING RESOURCES:

Blackboard
This class meets in Blackboard® (http://bb.grcc.edu). You will use Blackboard to access assignments, download or print course materials, and check your grades. You will receive an orientation on Blackboard at the start of the semester. This orientation is optional for students who have already used Blackboard.

Support Services
Students who require additional support must immediately let me know of their specific needs. Every student with a disability has the responsibility to (1) meet the College's qualifications, including essential technical, academic, and institutional standards, (2) identify as an individual with a disability and request accommodations in a timely manner, (3) provide documentation from an appropriate professional source verifying the nature of the disability, functional limitations, and the rationale for specific accommodations being recommended, and (4) follow specific procedures for obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids. If you have not met these responsibilities, please contact GRCC's Disability Support Services Program, Student Community Center, Third Floor, Room 368, 616-234-4140. If you have met these responsibilities, please let me know what reasonable and appropriate accomodations you need.

The Student Technology Help Desk can assist with Blackboard, password resets, Novell and student e-mail accounts. Hours and other helpful information is at http://www.grcc.edu/sthd. Additionally, you can go to the Open Computer Lab, Room 215 in the Applied Technology Center (ATC), contact them by phone at (616) 234-3123 or e-mail at sthd@grcc.edu.

To sign up for one-on-one (peer) or group tutoring, go to the Academic Support Center (3rd Floor SCC) and pick up an application for tutorial assistance. Have your professor sign the application and return it. You will be assigned either to group tutoring or to individual tutoring, depending on your schedule and needs. You can also visit http://www.grcc.edu/tutoring.


Updated on 19-JUN-08
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