BUSINESS LAW
Administration 4020-01
Spring 2007
Monday and Wednesday
Professor:
Harvey Fiser
Else School of Management
Murrah 127
601-974-1268
e-mail: Fiserhl@Millsaps.edu
Course Objectives:
This course builds on the basic legal principles discussed in the Legal Environment of Business class. There will be an increased focus on issues affecting business professionals, including, but not limited to, accountants. This course, in combination with the Legal Environment of Business course, completes a review of most legal subjects tested on the CPA examination.
Course Method:
The course will include some lecture with significant class participation. Students should have a good understanding of the assigned reading material prior to the class period. Class will focus on discussions of the most important legal issues and on problem solving. Class participation will impact your grade. Students must be prepared to have effective class discussions.
Text:
Kenneth W. Clarkson et al., West’s Business Law (10th ed.)
Attendance Policy:
There is no magic number of absences that will impact your grade. If your final grade is on the line and participation points are important, your attendance will certainly have an impact on that final decision. While the text will provide much of the substance of the course, a substantial part of the exams and assignments will be taken from items discussed only in class. So, not only will the participation in class be a factor, but missing class will also impact your ability to adequately respond to class assignments and exams.
Grade Components:
There will be two examinations. Each exam will count 15% of your grade. In the event you are exempt from the final exam, all other grades will be increased proportionally.
There will be two legal memo assignments. The memo responses will be no more than four
double-spaced pages. The memos will be
written to me in response to a hypothetical situation that I have posed to
you. Each will require limited outside research
and a working knowledge of all of the materials covered to date. Each memo will count 20% of your total
grade. These memos must be completed
within the allotted time. Without
prior permission, late papers will not be accepted.
During the semester there will be two other short
assignments. These assignments will
consist of research projects and/or short writing assignments. They may be on current legal events or
research into specific legal issues.
These assignments will be 10% each, unless otherwise discussed. At least one assignment will be an oral
presentation.
Finally, there will be a participation grade of 10%. To earn the full 10%, you are expected to volunteer for case briefings, participate in class discussions and assist in various problem-solving activities. Class preparation will substantially impact the participation portion of your final grade.
Grade Scale: A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
F 62 and below
Honor Code:
Each student is expected to conform to the Honor Code as explained in the student handbook.
Office Hours:
I expect to be in my office on Monday and Wednesday of each
week from
Class Schedule:
January 17 Introduction to Course
Unit 4: Domestic and International Sales and Lease Contract
January 22 The Formation of Sales and Lease Contracts
Chapter 20
January 24 Title, Risk, and Insurable Interest
Chapter 21
January 29 Performance and Breach of Sales and Lease Contracts
Chapter 22
January 31 Warranties and Product Liability
Chapter 23
Memo 1 Assigned
Unit 5:
Negotiable Instruments
February 5 The Function and Creation of Negotiable Instruments
Chapter
24
February 7 Transferability and Holder in Due Course
Chapter 25
Memo 1 Due
February 12 Liability, Defenses, and Discharge
Chapter
26
February 14 Checks, the Banking System, and E-Money
Chapter 27
Unit
6: Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy
February 19 Creditors’ Rights and Remedies
Chapters 28
February 21 Secured Transactions
Chapter 29
Short Assignment 1 Assigned
February 26 Bankruptcy Law
Chapter 30
Short Assignment 1 Due
February 28 Exam (Covering Units 5 and 6)
Unit 11: Special Topics
March 5 Insurance
Chapter 49
March 7 Class Presentations
March 9-18 Spring
Break
March 19 Wills, Trusts, and Elder Law
Chapter 50
March 21 Professional Liability and Accountability
Chapter 51
Unit 10:
Property
March 26 Personal Property and Landlord-Tenant Relationships
Chapter 47
March 28 Real Property and Bailments
Chapter 48
Memo 2 Assigned
Unit 9: Government Regulation
April 2 Administrative
Law
Chapter 43
Memo 2 Due
April 4 Consumer Law
Chapter
44
April 9 Class
Presentations
April 11 Environmental Law
Chapter 45
April 16 Antitrust Law
Chapter 46
Unit 8: Business Organizations
April 18 Law for Small Business
Chapter 42
Short Assignment 2 Assigned
April 23 Business Ethics
April 25 Summary of Course Business Law
Short Assignment 2 Due
May 5,
Other:
This syllabus is an outline of what I expect to cover in class. During the semester, additional assignments may be made depending on current events in the business world. This syllabus is subject to change as the semester progresses.