Prof. Lori K. Harris-Ransom JD,MA Department of Business Administration

Back to faculty.caldwell.edu Dr. Harris-Ransom's Homepage

BUSINESS LAW 1 (BU350-001) 

FALL 2003 

PROFESSOR:    DR. LORI K. HARRIS-RANSOM  

TIME:         MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY            10:00-11:00

ROOM:         4226

OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY,WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY 9:00-10:00

              THURSDAY 12:00-1:00

              BY APPOINTMENT  

OFFICE:       4237

OFFICE PHONE: 973-618-3517

E-MAIL:       LRANSOM@CALDWELL.EDU

              HARRISRANSOM@MSN.COM

____________________________________________________________

 REQUIRED TEXTS:     MANN & ROBERTS, BUSINESS LAW AND THE REGULATION  OF BUSINESS. 7^TH.  WEST.  2002.

HALBERT AND INGULLI.  CYBERETHICS.  WEST 2002 

REQUIRED READING/COURSE SUPPORT:  

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Norton Connect.web 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

This course examines the fundamental principals and sources of law in the American legal system.  With this foundation, specific application will be made to contract law.  Emphasis will be placed on utilizing analytical skills and considering ethical issues in the context of the law and business environment, including e-commerce situations.   

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

·                    To train students to identify the relevant issues and law, and understand     how to apply relevant law to specific situations.

·                    To enable students to consider the ethical and social issues and ramifications of the application of the law in our society with particular emphasis on business relationships and e-commerce.

·                    To give students a basic knowledge of the history, social and fundamental principals of law, the court system and government in the American legal system.

·                    To acquaint students with legal Internet search engines and other law-related web pages including, but not limited to the following: 

www.findlaw.com

www.lawcrawler.com

www.abanet.org/lawlink/home.html

http://law.house.gov/uscsrch.htm 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION: 

1.  STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CREATE A WALL STREET JOURNAL PORTFOLIO OF 1 PAGE, DOUBLE-SPACED SUMMARIES IN WORD PROCESSING (PREFERABLY MICROSOFT WORD 97 OR LOWER) FOR 1 ARTICLE FOR EACH CHAPTER COVERED IN THE COURSE. THE SUMMARIES ARE TO EXPLAIN THE ARTICLE AND THE RELEVANCE TO THE BUSINESS LAW ISSUE SELECTED AND SPECIFICALLY INDICATE TO WHICH CHAPTER THE SUMMARY AND ARTICLE PERTAIN. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES TO SUBSTITUTE FOR ANY ARTICLE. ARTICLES MUST BE CORRECTLY CITED IN EACH SUMMARY USING MLA FORM. 

2.  STUDENTS WILL MAKE AN EXTEMPORANEOUS ORAL ADVOCACY PRESENTATION ON A CASE TO BE PROVIDED BY THE PROFESSOR.

3.  TWO TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.

4.  SEVERAL INTERNET RESEARCH PROJECTS ARE REQUIRED. INCLUDE CORRECT INTERNET CITATION IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS.

Attendance is required.  Three (3) absences will result in a letter grade reduction.  Students are required to be prepared in advance of the scheduled session.  Class participation and discussion are strongly encouraged.  All of the above may be considered on a case by case basis to  affect borderline grade situations.  

COURSE SYLLABUS

(Subject to change) 

                      TOPIC              ASSIGNMENT

Introduction to the Law and the Legal Process  Chap 1,3

Sources and Classification of Law Lecture Notes

Steps in a Lawsuit Lecture Notes

                                                               Constitutional and Administrative Law  Chap 4,5   

Privacy:  Government Regulation v. Industry Self-Policing Chap 2 pp. 57-70 CyberEthics

Cyberspeech Chap 3 CyberEthics

Constitutional and Administrative Law Lecture Notes             

Criminal Law Chap 6

Criminal Law and Procedure Lecture Notes

Torts Chap 7  

Intentional Torts and Negligence Lecture Notes                  

Negligence and Strict Liability Chap 8                            

Internet Exercise

Research the issue of Tort Reform and do a position paper not exceeding 3 pages which include at least 3  major reforms proposed and your analytical opinion as to whether you think tort reform is necessary.  Include arguments for and against.  Please include your cited Internet sources.  A good URL to start with is http://www.aaabiz.com/ATRA

Contracts Chap 9 through 11

Contracts Lecture Notes

E-Commerce Chap 4 CyberEthics

Consideration Chap 12            

Defenses Chap 13 through 15

Third Party Contracts      Chap 16  

Internet Exercise: Go to www.ssrn.com/update/lsn/cyberspace/csl_lessons.html and review the Lessons on “Contract Law in Cyberspace”.  Discuss the following in a paper not to exceed 2 pages:

1.  What are contracts of adhesion and how are they formed on the internet;

2.  How is a contract “signed” on the internet.         

Performance, Breach,Discharge Chap 17                                 

Remedies Chap 18                  

Oral Extemporaneous Quiz

Wall Street Journal Portfolio projects               

Final Examination