COURSE SYLLABUS
FOR
BUSINESS LAW

COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The content of this course, as with most introductory law courses, emphasizes contracts and the legal system. By including modules on the law of sales, commercial paper, agency, and property, students will gain comprehensive overview of law and the world of business.

COURSE COMPETENCIES: 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student, in accordance with the grading standards, will be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of law and its effect on business transactions.

2. Identify the sources, purposes, and classifications of the law.

3. Explain the nature of contract law, including the importance of contracts in the business world.

4. List the six elements of a contract, proper form of contracts, and contractual remedies.

5. Cite the nature of sales contracts, and compare and contrast sales contracts with common law contracts.

6. Describe the duties and rights of buyers and sellers in contracts for the sale of goods, and explain the relationship of insurable interest, risk of loss, and passage of title.

7. Explain the nature of warranties and product liability.

8. State the nature of the law associated with commercial paper, including the functions and forms of commercial paper, and the requirements for negotiability.

9. Explain the nature of agency law, including the requirements for the creation and termination of an agency relationship and the duties of principals and agents.

10. Explain the nature of real property, including the concept of property rights, the difference between real and personal property, the means by which property may be acquired and lost, and the general requirements governing lease or rental property.

11. Describe the concept of personal property, including the ownership and acquisition of personal property, and the concept of bailments.

INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT:

The instructional method used for this class will be similar to a traditional classroom approach. Various types of learning will be stimulated by reading assignments, handouts, class discussion, presentations by students and guest speakers, instructor lectures, audio visuals, assignments, tests, and a possible field trip to a County Court Session.

Because of the nature of this course, you will be expected to read the assigned chapter(s) prior to coming to class to be prepared to ask questions, contribute to class discussions and participate in small group/team activities working on such topics as vocabulary terms & case problems.

ADVANCED STANDING

Students interested in advanced standing for this course should contact me as soon as possible or contact the WITC Student Success Technician at the campus closest to you (Ashland, Rice Lake Superior, New Richmond, Hayward or Ladysmith). Otherwise, students with a business law background are encouraged to consider a test out or enrollment in the Flex Lab Business Law Course.

Read more about Credit for Prior Learning and Life Experience.

GRADING POLICY:

Grades will be determined by various assessments, which include chapter written assignments (25 chapters), class participation, random quizzes (ten questions) and tests. Chapter written assignments must be typed. They will be scored on a 100 point scale and will be due after the chapter has been discussed or reviewed in class. Written assignments will be given a lower grade if late and will not be accepted after a unit test is given. If a test is taken after the scheduled date, five percent will be deducted from the final score.

Grading criteria for written assignments will be based on the following:

1. Each assignment must be typewritten.

2. You must use complete sentences, proper grammar, and correct punctuation.

3. Each question will be evaluated on accuracy, completeness and appropriate responses to each question.

4. Late assignments will not be accepted after a unit test/assessment has been administered.

The most important of these four grading areas is #3  that accuracy, completeness and appropriate responses be given to each question. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Grades will be determined as follows:

 
*Please note that there is typically a direct correlation between class participation and attendance.  If you do miss a class and are concerned please see me to make arrangements to make-up what was covered (ie, discussion of chapter content, case study, video, etc).  Missing class participation can only be made up with approval from me as your Instructor.  Making up class activities will relate directly to what was covered during the class session missed and could include such things as: critiquing a video which was shown, writing out the definitions to the terms for each chapter and/or writing a response to a case problem which was discussed. 

Also, based upon availability of projects, Service Learning activities may be used to supplement traditional assessment methods (tests/quizzes) or in limited situations as extra credit (which requires prior approval) .

Hopefully, this will not ever be a concern; however, if anyone cheats on a test, written assignment, or other class activities, they will receive a zero for that test, assignment, or activity. They also may be withdrawn from the course and/or given a failing grade.

*The grading scale and other policies are outlined in the current WITC Student Handbook.

SAFETY:

Be extremely careful when entering and leaving the classrooms. If at anytime there is an accident, please notify me or a WITC staff person immediately.

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE:

If you feel that you would like some additional help, or if you have a question or concern, please contact me personally.

When not in class or at lunch, I can be found in my office in the instructor office area. My schedule is posted in the corridor bulletin board outside of the instructor office area.

Use the following Student Service Resource Directory to access important services.

• Ashland Campus

• New Richmond Campus

• Rice Lake Campus

• Superior Campus

I SINCERELY HOPE YOU ENJOY THE COURSE!

BUSINESS LAW

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE

(This Schedule May Vary Based on Students’ Needs/Interest/Progress)

STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT

Business Law

Instructor: Michael Bark

(Schedule and assignments may vary based on students interests)

Student Name:

Attendance:

Unit Tests & Random Quizzes (30% of Final Grade)

Unit I-Legal System & Business Law                      ______

Unit II-Contracts                                                    ______

Unit III-Personal Property                                       ______

Unit IV-Sales                                                        ______

Unit V-Agency & Employment                                ______

Quiz Scores:

       Class Participation

        Activities:  Arranged & Critiqued Guest Speakers and Other Activities:

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