1. Regularly and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. 
2. Read each assigned chapter before class. 
3. Be prepared to discuss case summaries and court decisions. 
4. Ask questions when you do not understand. 
5. Request one-on-one consultation during office hours when needed. 
6. If class is cancelled due to weather, pandemic or other emergencies, the student is responsible for communicating with the professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor. 

Chapters                           Readings

1.                                         Nature and Sources of Law

2.                                         The Court System and Dispute Resolution

3.                                         Business Ethics and Social Forces and the Law

4.                                         The Constitution and the Foundation of Legal Environment

5.                                         Administrative Agencies

7.                                         Crimes

8.                                         Torts

9.                                         Intellectual Property

11.                                       Nature and Classes of Contract

12.                                       Formation of Contracts

13.                                       Capacity and Genuine Assent

15.                                       Legality and Public Policy

17.                                       Third Persons and Contracts

18.                                       Discharge of Contracts

20.                                       Personal Property and Bailments

This course will provide insightful information concerning our judicial system and the relationship it has with the daily operations of a business and business transactions with a party and third parties. Upon completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of the law and clarification of the law as it is applied to complex situations and circumstances.  

This course is also designed to provide the student with in-depth information concerning our judicial 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 the law of contracts and the impact of the Uniform Commercial Code upon the sale and transfer of goods. 

WELCOME TO BUSINESS LAW

Hello Business Law Students:

I am Professor Johnson. I would like to welcome each of you to my class. I assume you chose this course because you have an interest in learning and obtaining more knowledge of the law. This makes me extremely excited because I am more than happy to share my knowledge and experience.

This could be a very difficult course. It requires a lot of reading, learning different legal concepts and applying those concepts where appropriate and more importantly, understanding and interpreting the law. Turning in your assignments on their due date is very important. Being prepared for each class is equally important because I want to make sure that you have a good understanding of the subject matter being taught.

On the first day of class, I will go over the syllabus with specific emphasis on the assignments and tests. I want to ensure that we get off to a good start. Please peruse the syllabus prior to class and I will answer any questions you may have.

Again, welcome to my class and I hope you will enjoy it.

YOUR PROFESSOR

I am Professor Johnson, and I will be your professor for this course. I have been teaching at Austin Community College for over 22 years. My first year, I taught Introduction to Business and the remaining years, I have taught Business Law.

I am a born and raised Texan. I am from Tyler, Texas where I graduated from high school. Upon graduating from high school, I went to Texas A& M (formerly known as East Texas State University) and graduated with a degree in Political Science and History. When I graduated, I continued my matriculation and received my Juris Doctorate Degree of Law at Thurgood Marshall School of Law on the campus of Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

I have over 35 years of experience in Administrative and Unemployment law. I litigated cases before the Texas Workforce Commission regarding unemployment benefits.  I spent over 19.5 years at the University of Texas, Austin Texas where I served as director of employment relations, director of compliance and legal liaison for the main Human Resources Department. On my last appointment, I served as the assistant human resources director for Facility Services.

I have been married for 47 years (at this writing) and have two daughters and one grandson who attends The University of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

CLASS TIME

Course Master Syllabus Austin Community College District Business Law 1 – 2301-008- 20007

 Note: This syllabus may change at the discretion of Instructor. 

TEXTBOOK

Textbook: Anderson’s Business Law and The Legal Environment 

Author: Twomey, Jennings and Greene 

Edition: 23rd Edition, Comprehensive Volume 

COURSE

• Business Law
• Busi Law 2301-005 Business Law 1,
• Syn: 20007
• Fall Semester 2025

• Credit Hours: 3 
• Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3 

NOTE: IF THERE IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN WHAT IS STATED ON BLACKBOARD AND MY SYLLABUS, MY SYLLABUS WILL TAKE PRECEDENCE.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND SYLLABUS

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION 

The legal and social environment of business law consists of various legal concepts such as civil and criminal laws, contracts, personal property and bailment. It also consists of various laws that affect our personal rights and freedoms as well as laws that relate to crimes committed against a person or society. These laws impact the day-to-day transactions of businesses. This course will also include learning more about our court system and dispute resolution, the constitution as the foundation of the legal environment, legality of public policy, contracts, ethics, government relations, crimes, intellectual property, personal property.

Course Rational/Objectives 

This course will provide insightful information concerning our judicial system and the relationship it has with the daily operations of a business and business transactions with a party and third parties. Upon completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of the law and clarification of the law as it is applied to complex situations and circumstances.  

This course is also designed to provide the student with in-depth information concerning our judicial 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 the law of contracts and the impact of the Uniform Commercial Code upon the sale and transfer of goods. 

1. PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites. Students must be in attendance on those days that a lecture is provided. 

3. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:  

1. The student will display a comprehensive understanding of:  the origins and structure of the American legal system; 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; bailments; the elements of crimes; and, the impact and structure of administrative agencies.  

Students will have an in-dept and comprehensive understanding of the relationship between legal concepts and their applications in real-life situations. Throughout this course, students should be able to: 

1. Describe the court system and how a lawsuit is filed. 
2. Understand some of the constitutional amendments and where our legal rights come from.
3. Critically analyze legal concepts and how they are applied to various situations. 
4. Understand the functions of our federal government and its powers.
5. Demonstrate skills of listening and dialogue.
6. Prepare a legal brief describing the facts, issues, and court process and ruling. 
7. Describe the formation of a contract, breach of contract and remedies, bailment, sale of goods (Uniform Commercial Code) and Intellectual Property. 
8. Crimes against society and civil crimes against a person
9. Ethical behavior and how it impacts businesses. 

4. Competencies 

1.1 Find time to reflect on your educational goals. 

1.2 Continue to focus on why you are here. 

1.3 Believe in yourself.

1.4 Encourage yourself if you fall behind. 

1.5 Maintain ethical values. 

5. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

The primary method of teaching will be through lecture and Blackboard. This will include a hybrid of lectures and weekly assignments. 

My teaching philosophy is to teach and educate students on the basic principles of various laws under the United States Constitution and Texas Constitution and the various federal and state statutory laws. To accomplish this, I use a blended approach using online lecture, course reading, course discussions and student case study and research paper. Additionally, I use current court cases and media events as examples of how the law was applied and why.  

6. DISTANCE EDUCATION

This class will be taught through lectures (synchronous). However, some students may be familiar with distance learning, and some may not. Distant learning will require students to manage their time and study skills to be a successful online student. Students who are new to distance education are encouraged to review the ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/  

7. TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES

Austin Community College now provides free, secure drive-up Wi-Fi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. Wi-Fi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm.  Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/drive-up-wifi Students who submit the Student Technology Access Form and indicate they need help accessing their online learning environment to successfully complete their courses are eligible to check out an ACC iPad for use during the semester. You must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course. 

8. Course Requirements and Policies 

1. Regularly and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. 
2. Read each assigned chapter before class. 
3. Be prepared to discuss case summaries and court decisions. 
4. Ask questions when you do not understand. 
5. Request one-on-one consultation during office hours when needed. 
6. If class is cancelled due to weather, pandemic or other emergencies, the student is responsible for communicating with the professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor. 

9. Attendance/Class Participation

Attendance is strongly encouraged. Attendance will be captured when you participate in Blackboard Discussions and Online lectures. This class will be synchronously taught which the instructor will provide immediate feedback to the student. Feedback will be provided during lectures, blackboard discussions and research papers. Extra credit will be given if you attend class 90% of the time. For example, if your final grade is 3 points from the next highest grade, this instructor will increase your grade. (the score of 87 will be increased to 90). Students must also attend class from the beginning to end.

Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.”

10. Communication with Instructor 

To communicate with the instructor, the student must use their ACC email address as this is the policy of Austin Community College. All ACC faculty and staff are instructed to communicate with you using your ACC mail account. Actively enrolled students are required to use their ACC mail account while communicating with ACC instructors and ACC staff. ACC will send important information to you at this account. Also, ACC will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. https://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers  

The instructor will respond to a student’s personal email but only to ask you to use your ACC email account to communicate with the instructor. I will respond to your email within 1-2 business days.  

11. Withdrawal from Class 

Do not depend on the instructor to withdraw you from the course, although the instructor has the option to do so if you fail to exhibit scheduled or appropriate progress in the course.  Any student who doesn't attend one of the regularly scheduled orientations, may be withdrawn by the instructor. https://www.austincc.edu/lrosen/CoursePolicies.pdf  

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from class.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records. 

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken after the fall semester, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course. Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good causes could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count towards this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.” 

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog. 

12. Failure to take test on scheduled date  

A student who fails to take a test on the scheduled date must contact the instructor prior to the scheduled date of the test and explain the circumstances under which the student will not be able to take the test. Students will have three business days from the original scheduled test date to take the test if the instructor approves it. There will be a deduction of 10 points from your test grade for failure to take test on the date it was administered. Instructor has the discretion to determine whether points will be deducted based on the situation that caused the student to not take the test. Failure to take the test after three business days will result in a score of zero for that test. 

13.   Late Assignments 

There will be two written assignments (case study and research paper) with scheduled due dates. There will also be five Discussion Board questions which are located in Blackboard. Each student should make every effort to complete and turn in these assignments when due. The syllabus will be placed online to access at any time. The syllabus will inform each student of the scheduled due dates for each written assignment. Students should begin working on their assignments as early as possible to avoid turning in a late assignment. This instructor will not accept late assignments.  If the instructor should accept a late assignment for a compelling reason, there will be a 15 point deduction for turning in a late assignment.

Research Paper  (Inapplicable)

You are responsible for researching a case study. Your research paper is worth 40 points. (3 pages single space). Please attach your paper in Blackboard. 

CASE STUDY

You are responsible for researching a legal case that discusses the Freedom of Information Act (FIOA).

Format for both Case Study and Research Paper 

• Case Title 
• Facts 
• Issue(s) 
• What was the applicable/controlling law? 
• In your opinion, was the law applied correctly. 
• Court Process (Trial Court, Court of Appeal, US Supreme Court) and decisions made by each court. 
• Do you agree with the final court’s decision? 

14. Grade of incomplete 

“An incomplete (grade of “I” will only be given for extenuating circumstances.  What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion.  If a grade of

I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student

and professor.  This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the

following semester.  A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the

Incomplete Grade form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible)

and submitted to the department chair.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances are warranted.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.  The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an Incomplete grade. 

1.      Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student

must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in

person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.      The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to

complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it

to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in

name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the

agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the

faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of

Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

3.      The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the

form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the

student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the

subsequent long semester.  

4.      Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the

subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students

will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section

materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the

Incomplete was awarded.  

5.      When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the

instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s

performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an

“F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session

deadline is not frequently granted.”

Library Services 

ACC Library Services will be offering both in-person and extensive online services for

Fall 2021, with research and assignment assistance available in-person

during limited hours of service. Although all college services are subject to change this

fall, plans include ACC students signing up for study space and use of computers

at open libraries, extensive online instruction in classes, online reference assistance

24/7 and reference with ACC faculty librarians. In addition, currently enrolled students,

faculty and staff can access Library Services online (also 24/7) via the ACC Library

website and by using their ACCeID to access all online materials (ebooks, articles from

library databases, and streaming videos). ACC Libraries offer these services

in numerous ways such as: Get Help from a Faculty Librarian: the 24/7 Ask a Librarian

chat service, an online form for in-depth research Q and A sessions, one-on-one video

appointments, email, and phone (voicemail is monitored regularly). 

• Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu 
• Library Information & Services during COVID-19: 
• https://researchguides.austincc.edu/LSinfoCOVID19 

• Ask a Librarian 24/7 chat and form: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php 
• Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/ 
• Email: library@austincc.edu 

14. Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/. 

Personal Support 

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others: 

• Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be found here: 

https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now 

• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.  

• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes:

http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.  

• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.   

A full listing of services for student parents is available at: 

https://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care 

• The CARES Act Student Aid will help eligible students pay expenses related to COVID-19:  https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/cares-act-student-aid.  

Mental Health 

Counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling.  

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately. 

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:  

• Austin / Travis County 24-hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP 

(4357) 

• The Williamson County 24-hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255 
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755 
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660 
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741 o Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

(SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357) 

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI  (6264) 

Some faculty may consider adding a student sign-off page at the end of the syllabus to be removed and handed back to the instructor providing evidence that the student received a copy of the syllabus and had an opportunity to ask questions, but such a page is optional. 

Illness 

Any ACC student or employee with symptoms or exposure to the COVID-19 virus should inform their professor(s) or supervisor and complete the college’s self reporting form:  

https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?AustinCC&layout_id=124 

15. Teaching Philosophy 

My teaching philosophy is to teach and educate students on the basic principles of various laws under the United States Constitution and Texas Constitution and the various federal and state statutory laws. To accomplish this, I use a blended approach using online lectures, course reading, course discussions and student research paper. Additionally, I use current court cases and media events as examples of how the law was applied and why.  

16. Course Commentary 

The objective of learning is to bring the law into the world in which we live. Each day, one can read the newspaper, magazine, and internet about something we have discussed in class. This is the primary reason why research papers of a case law or court case will help students to better relate to something we discussed in class. Students will be able to see and understand the relationship between legal concepts and their application in real-life situations. 

17.   Legal Disclaimer 

Everything that is discussed with the instructor is strictly for educational purposes only. The instructor will not and does not provide legal advice to any student. Nor shall any comments from the instructor be construed as legal advice. 

18. Grading

19. GRADING

A. There will be a total of three tests, a case study, and a video summary. Each test has a time limit. Please read the instructions before taking the test. See tests and due dates under Section 18 of my syllabus, weekly assignments. The scores will be weighed as follows:

Arrest Vs Search Warrant- 35 Points

Case Study (FOIA) -               40 points

Test 1 - 70 points

Test 2 – 73 points

Test 3 – 78 points

Total Points – 296 points

B. The letter grade in the course will be determined on the total number of points a student earns.

Example of Grading System

Student A scored the following points:

 Arrest Vs Search Warrant- 29 Points

Case study - 45

Chapter 1- 60 points

Chapter 2 – 65 points

Chapter 3 – 75 pointsTotal score: 274/296 = 93

According to the grading system, student A earned a letter grade of “A” for the course.

My teaching philosophy is to teach and educate students on the basic principles of various laws under the United States Constitution and Texas Constitution and the various federal and state statutory laws. To accomplish this, I use a blended approach using online lectures, course reading, course discussions and student research paper. Additionally, I use current court cases and media events as examples of how the law was applied and why.  

The objective of learning is to bring the law into the world in which we live. Each day, one can read the newspaper, magazine, and internet about something we have discussed in class. This is the primary reason why research papers of a case law or court case will help students to better relate to something we discussed in class. Students will be able to see and understand the relationship between legal concepts and their application in real-life situations. 

This course will provide insightful information concerning our judicial system and the relationship it has with the daily operations of a business and business transactions with a party and third parties. Upon completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of the law and clarification of the law as it is applied to complex situations and circumstances.  

This course is also designed to provide the student with in-depth information concerning our judicial 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 the law of contracts and the impact of the Uniform Commercial Code upon the sale and transfer of goods.