COURSE SYLLABUS

                                                                                         BUSINESS LAW I

                                                                    BUSI 2301, SECTION 79779-004, ONLINE

                                                                                                                     SUMMER SESSION 2024

INSTRUCTOR:        MARIO AGUILAR, JD       TELEPHONE:          512-363-8649

E-MAIL:                    maguilar@austincc.edu        WEBSITE:    www.austincc.edu/maguilar

CLASS TIMES:        DISTANCE LEARNING    ROOM:                      ONLINE

OFFICE:                    RGC   3116                            MAIL:                        1212 RIO GRANDE                                                                                                                         AUSTIN, TEXAS                                                                                                                             78701

OFFICE HOURS:     MONDAYS, 1:00-2:00 P.M.

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

Business Law I provides an overview of the legal and social environment of business, contracts, personal property, bailments and sales.

II. REQUIRED TEXT

Anderson's Business Law and the Legal Environment, Comprehensive Volume, 23st Ed., Twomey & Jennings, ISBN 978-1-305-57508-0

III. SCAN COMPETENCIES

The SCAN Competencies that will be developed in this Course are listed on Attachment A.

IV. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

The course will be taught using one or more of the following methods of instruction: online, lecture, Socratic Method, class discussion and participation, class presentations, internet exercises, Travis County Courthouse Visit, Judge Presentations and guest practitioners.  Students will be expected to absorb the assigned material prior to class and to be able to respond to questions on the assigned material. 

V. COURSE RATIONALE

The course is designed to provide the student with in-depth information concerning our system of law and its impact upon the day-to-day operations of businesses and business related transactions. The student should become thoroughly familiar with the legal system as well as with business law and the Uniform Commercial Code.

VI. COURSE OUTCOMES

The Student will display a comprehensive understanding of:  the origins and structure of the American legal system; the court system; business ethics, social forces and the law: the requirements and structure of an enforceable contract; available defenses to the enforcement of a contract; discharge of contracts and remedies for breach of contract; third party rights in contracts; the differences between common law contracts and contracts for the sale of goods; the impact of law upon international trade; personal property and bailments; title and risk of loss; the elements of crimes; and, the impact and structure of administrative agencies.

VII. COURSE EVALUATION SYSTEM

A.      EVALUATION

1.         There will be two EXAMS and A FINAL EXAMINATION which will be weighted as follows:

                        A.        Two Exams (2 X 100 points)                          200 Points

                        B.        Final Exam                                                      100

            2.         Text Chapter Questions (Please see Chart Below)       50

            3.         Board Discussions                                                         50

                        TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS                             400 Points

               CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS

               Your must complete the following chapter assignments.  There are 10 chapter assignments.  Each chapter assignment has a value of 5 Points each for a total of 50 Points.  Assignments must be submitted in Blackboard under “Assignments”.

            DISCUSSION BOARDS

There will be 10 Discussion Board Postings worth 5 points each.  Please note that to earn your full 50 points for Board Discussions, you must participate in all ten (10) Discussion Boards.  These postings will be posted weekly in Blackboard under “Discussion Board”.  To earn points, you must participate in two ways:  first, by stating your comments or response to the topic or question that I will provide; and secondly, by commenting on at least two of any of your classmates’ posts.  Comments should be well thought out and in complete sentences.  You should check the Discussion Board at least twice a week for any new postings requiring your participation.  The more participation and creative you may be the more FUN we'll have!!!

B.        The final letter grade in the course will be based upon the percentage of total available points received, as follows:

            A - 90-100%

B - 80-89%

C - 70-79%

D - 60-69%

F - 0-59%

C.        Make-up exams will be allowed only with permission from the instructor.

 VIII. COURSE POLICIES

A.        Class Preparation and Board Discussions

Students are expected to complete all reading assignments and be ready to participate in class and board discussions.  Proper classroom behavior is expected at all times.  Student participation creates a positive and effective thinking and learning environment. 

B.        Attendance.

Attendance is required in this class.  “Attendance” includes participating in Board Discussions, communications with instructor, submission of assignments and completion of exams.

C.        Withdrawal.

If the Instructor asks you to withdraw or if you decide on your own to drop the course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the withdrawal process.  If you do not complete a withdrawal from the course, the Instructor will have no choice but to assign you a final grade of an “F”.  Please consult college course schedule to verify last day to withdraw this course.  Reinstatement will not be granted once student has withdrawn from the course.

D.        Incomplete

Incompletes are not granted in this course.

E.         Scholastic Dishonesty

Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group, classroom presentation, and homework.

F.         Academic Freedom

Each student is expected to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there will be differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other on occasion, but the students and instructor may also find that they have different views. These differences will enhance the class and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Rest assured that no student’s grade will not be adversely affected by the free expression of ideas and beliefs in class.

G.        Student Discipline

In the event, a student acts in such a way as to significantly interfere with or disrupt the learning atmosphere of the classroom, the instructor may direct the student to leave the class and may take other measures as appropriate.   See the ACC Student Handbook either in hardcopy or on the web: http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/handbk/toc.htm

H.        Office of Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Student with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to request these accommodations three weeks before the start of the semester.

I.          Course Calendar

The Course Calendar is a separate document that you will have received along with this syllabus.

J.          Student Services

A Student Services Handout is attached for your review.

K.        Instructional Services

            A Student Services Handout is attached for your review.

L.         Testing Center

All exams will be taken in Blackboard.  We will not be using the Testing Centers.  You do not need additional equipment or applications.  Exams will be closed-book, timed and no copying or photography is allowed because of Test Sensors.  All exams will include multiple-choice and some true/false questions.  Exams and Written and Oral Exam Reviews will be posted in Blackboard under “Exams”.  Test Proctors will supervise the exams.

M.        Student Support Services

            Resources to support you are available at every campus.  Food pantries are available at all             campus Student Life offices (https://sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/foodpantry/).  Assistance             paying for childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support             Center (http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center).  For sudden, unexpected           expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more of your courses, go        to http://www.austincc.edu/SEF to request emergency assistance through the Student    Emergency Fund.  Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the     Student Money Management Office (http://sites.austincc.edu/money/).  Counselors are    available at any campus if you experience a personal or mental health concern             (http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling).  All services are free and confidential.

EXHIBIT A

BUSINESS LAW 2301

SCANS Competencies

Students in this Course will be expected to use or achieve the following Competencies

Resources

1.l.   Allocates Time: Allocates time between coursework/work/family/friends.

Interpersonal

2.1.   Participates as a Member of a Team: Works cooperatively with others on joint assignments.

2.2.   Teaches Others: Explains concepts in class.

1. 1. Negotiates: Works toward an agreement on the validity of exam questions.

2.6. Works with Cultural Diversity: Works well with men and women and with a variety of ethnic, social, or educational backgrounds in the context of the class.

Information

3.1. Acquires and Evaluates Information: Extracts crucial legal issues from court cases.

3.2. Organizes and Maintains Information: Takes notes on assigned material for use in class.

3.3. Interprets and Communicates Information: Evaluates assigned material and explains it to the class.

3.4. Uses Computers to Process Information: Employs computers to process course notes and to obtain, analyze and brief court cases.

Technology

5.2. Applies Technology to Task: Understands the overall intent and the proper procedures for setting up and using computers and their programs.

Basic Skills

6.1.    Reading: Locates, understands, and interprets written information in the text and assigned court cases.

1. 1. Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information, and messages effectively in writing.

1. 1. Listening: Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages during class lectures and discussions.

6.6.   Speaking: Organizes ideas and effectively communicates thoughts when being questioned in class and during class discussions.

Thinking Skills

7.1.   Creative Thinking: Uses imagination freely, combines ideas in new ways, when discussing hypothetical problems.

1. 1. Decision Making: Chooses the best alternative in multiple choice questions.

7.3.   Problem Solving: Recognizes that problems in hypothetical situations and identifies possible solutions.

1. 1. Knowing How to Learn: Finds the important information in class discussions and texts and consolidates the information into a useable format.

7.6.   Reasoning: Identifies the crucial issue in a court case and recognizes the potential application of the rule in the case to other cases with similar facts and circumstances.

Personal Qualities

1. 1. Responsibility. Exerts a high level of effort and perseverance in effectively preparing for class and class discussions.

8.4.  Self-Management: Motivates self through goal achievement; exhibits self-control and responds to feedback unemotionally and non-defensively, is a "self-starter."

8.5.  Integrity/Honesty: Can be trusted to accomplish her/his own work without excessive involvement of other students.

CLASS OUTLINE/CALENDAR FOR SUMMER 2024

This outline will help you stay on schedule.

NOTE:  Please check Academic Calendar for last day to withdraw from this class.  If you need to withdraw, you must complete the whole withdrawal process.  Please inform the instructor of your completed withdrawal.

Please note that the Course Calendar is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.  Internet assignments, case briefs and/or special assignments may be added to Course Calendar.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONCTACT ME 24/7 AT (512) 363-8649.

BUSINESS LAW IS BEAUTIFUL AND FUN!!!

LET’S MAKE THIS CLASS OUR GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE!!!

II. REQUIRED TEXT

Anderson's Business Law and the Legal Environment, Comprehensive Volume, 23st Ed., Twomey & Jennings, ISBN 978-1-305-57508-0

                                                                                           CLASS OUTLINE/CALENDAR FOR SUMMER 2024

This outline will help you stay on schedule.

NOTE:  Please check Academic Calendar for last day to withdraw from this class.  If you need to withdraw, you must complete the whole withdrawal process.  Please inform the instructor of your completed withdrawal.

Please note that the Course Calendar is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.  Internet assignments, case briefs and/or special assignments may be added to Course Calendar.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONCTACT ME 24/7 AT (512) 363-8649.

VI. COURSE OUTCOMES

The Student will display a comprehensive understanding of:  the origins and structure of the American legal system; the court system; business ethics, social forces and the law: the requirements and structure of an enforceable contract; available defenses to the enforcement of a contract; discharge of contracts and remedies for breach of contract; third party rights in contracts; the differences between common law contracts and contracts for the sale of goods; the impact of law upon international trade; personal property and bailments; title and risk of loss; the elements of crimes; and, the impact and structure of administrative agencies.