Legal Aspects of Management
Policy 699-01
Spring 2007
Thursday
Professor:
Harvey Fiser
Else School of Management
Millsaps College
Murrah 127
601-974-1268 Office
601-842-9991 Cell
e-mail: Fiserhl@Millsaps.edu
Course Objectives:
To be successful, managers must know how to operate successfully in the legal environment. The goal of this course is to teach the MBA student how to recognize legal issues before they become legal problems. This course will provide you with an understanding of how the law impacts daily management decisions and business strategies and give you an awareness of legal issues in the business setting. In addition, you will learn about the legal system, the nature and uses of law, major legal and ethical issues facing the manager in a business corporation, and provide an introduction to several substantive areas of law.
Course Method:
The course will include independent research, some lecture and substantial class participation. Students should have an excellent understanding of the assigned reading/research material prior to the class period. Class will focus on discussions of the most important legal issues and on problem solving. Class participation will be a substantial part of your grade in this class. Students must be prepared to have effective class discussions.
Text:
Independent research and assigned readings.
Attendance Policy:
Any absences could impact your grade. The class experience is the major focus of this course. This class is small and therefore all students have an impact in the overall class experience and regular attendance is expected.
Any student who has a disability that may prevent him or
her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact us personally
as soon as possible to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full
participation and facilitate the student's educational opportunity.
Grade Components:
There will be two “examinations.” Each exam will count 20% of your grade. There will be three project assignments. Each will require research and a working knowledge of all of the materials covered to date. Each project will count 15% of your total grade. These projects must be completed within the assigned time period. Without prior permission, late projects will not be accepted.
Finally, there will be a participation grade of 15%. To earn the full 15%, you are expected to actively participate in class discussions, be well prepared for class either through independent research or reading assigned materials 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. Each project will have its own set of “rules.” You are expected, in addition to the honor code, to adhere to the rules of each assignment.
Class Schedule:
January 16 Introduction to Course
Company Assignments
Research
Assignments
January 23 Company Meetings
Corporate Formation
Corporate Governance
January 30 Assignment One Due
(Corporate Formation)
Employee/Policy and Procedure Manuals
Job Advertising
Applications and Interviews
Hiring of Work Force
February 6 Discrimination
Drug Testing/Polygraph Testing
Employee Physicals
Background Checks
February 13 Employment Agreements
Non-Compete Clauses
Mandatory Arbitration Agreements
February 20 Wage and Hour Laws
Workers Safety
Family Medical
Leave Act
OSHA Workers’ Safety
Americans with Disabilities Act
February 27 Assignment Two Due
(Employee Handbook/Policy and Procedures
Manual)
Employee Evaluation
Promotion
Termination
COBRA
and other rights
Litigation and ADR
March 6 Mid-Semester Litigation
March 13 No Class/Spring Break
March 20 Intellectual Property
March 27 Torts
Product Liability
April 3 Contracts
Leases
Insurance and other Operational Liabilities
April 10 Assignment Three Due
(Report on
Litigation Preparation)
Litigation Preparation
Working with Attorneys
ADR
April 17 Ethics
April 24 Final Class/Bringing it all Together
May 1,
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.