BUSINESS LAW I (BLAW 301) AND BUSINESS LAW II (BLAW 302)

GENERAL SYLLABUS INFORMATION

Course Purpose
In developing moral values each person must be aware of the minimum law. Since everyone is assumed to know the law, ignorance of the law will not serve as a defense to a breach of the law. Therefore, legal studies are essential in the conduct of both personal and business matters. Such expertise is dictated by the institutional mission of Christian Brothers University.  The CBU mission statement declares that the University prepares students for professional careers and advanced study in business, and for lives of moral responsibility.  The institutional mission of the University is stated at the end of this page.

Course Description
Business law I covers contract law as developed by common law and the Uniform Commercial Code.

Business Law II gives students an overview of the basics of commercial paper law, the law of secured transaction, bankruptcy law, insurance law, the law of agency and the law of the various business organizational structures.

Program Outcomes
Ideally, students who enter the class with little or no understanding of legal concepts will, upon completion of the course, be able to determine what law is relevant in a particular instance, where and how to find the relevant law, and how to apply the law and reach a logical conclusion as to appropriate conduct in that instance.

Ignorant of legal matters

Minimum competency as to legal matters

Ability to recognize                                   Knowing how and                                    Ability to
    relevant law                                    where to find relevant law                      apply relevant law

Americans With Disabilities Act
The University and instructor will comply with the Act.  If you have special needs you must make them known.

Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act
The University and instructor will comply with the Act.

Instructor’s Educational Philosophy
The truth is that information that people memorize is soon forgotten unless that information is used or reviewed often. Courses at the college level that focus on memorization are doing students a disservice. A truly "educated" person is one who can separate the relevant information from the irrelevant information, knows how to obtain relevant research material and can reason and apply what he has obtained to solve problems and make sound decisions. Law courses, in particular, should be oriented toward reasoning and application.  Cultivation of research and reasoning skills in the study of law can be carried over to other disciplines and this certainly furthers the University’s mission of preparing students for professional careers and for lives of moral responsibility.

If the LaSallian tradition of education were to be summed up in a single word it would be "opportunity."  De LaSalle established the order of the Christian Brothers to give young people an opportunity to get an education even though they were too poor to afford any tuition payments. Few people in the United States today are denied an education due to lack of money. But, the concept of opportunity is still very important in today’s college classroom. Students should be instructed and challenged in a manner that gives them the opportunity to develop their investigating and reasoning skills to the greatest degree that their ability permits. Students should also have the opportunity to distinguish themselves by their performance in a course. Those who demonstrate a superior command of the subject matter of a course should receive a grade that reflects that achievement.  This requires tests and assignments that are sufficiently difficult to challenge top students and separate levels of achievement into appropriate categories of grade.

Methods of Instruction
The primary approach to instruction is presentation of a hypothetical situation followed by analysis of that situation and application of the appropriate law to that situation. Such analysis is often followed by detailed explanation of relevant legal concepts and specific laws. Student participation in legal analysis is required and questions are encouraged. This approach fosters development of analytical skills.

Text Book
Business Law & the Legal Environment,
20th Ed, Anderson et. al.  (The textbook is required.)

Supplemental Materials
Legal research will be a significant portion of the course.  The Christian Brothers library contains a copy of the Tennessee Code Annotated, but most assignments will require the use of materials available in the library in the law school at the University of Memphis. Among the publications that will be used in such research are various case reporters, law encyclopedias, treatises, law reviews, Sheppards Citator and the UCC Reporter Service.

Assignments
Students are expected to have read each segment of material prior to its being covered in class. Topics and deadlines for research assignments will be during the course of the term.

Grading
Three examinations will be administered. They will be weighted equally and will comprise approximately 95% of the grade for the course. The remaining part of the grade will be earned through case summaries and attendance. No case summaries will be accepted after the class in which they are due. Students will receive a grade of "zero" on a missed test. Make-up tests will be given or denied strictly at the discretion of the professor.

The grading scale is:
90 or above A
80 to 89 B
70 to 79 C
60 to 69 D
Under 60 F

Recommended Studies Approach
Read and outline each chapter prior to its being covered in class. Edit the outline as it is being covered in class. Edit the outline as it is being covered in class.  Read through the previously compiled outline/notes prior to reading each new chapter. Attendance: Students who miss no class during the semester will receive a bonus of two points on their final average. Each absence will result in a deduction of ½ point from the student’s final average.  Absence from as many as eight class hours may, at the discretion of the professor, result in failure of the course.

Disclaimer
This syllabus is not to be considered as a contract. It is merely a guide to assist you in planning but it is subject to change at any time upon reasonable notice.

Christian Brothers University Mission Statement
Christian Brothers University is a Catholic institution of higher education in the tradition of the Christian Brothers.  It is a private, comprehensive university which emphasizes excellence in teaching and individual attention to the whole person in a value oriented, inter-faith educational community.  The University prepares students for professional careers and advanced study in the arts and sciences, engineering, and business, and for lives of moral responsibility and constructive community involvement.