Course Syllabus

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BLAW-140: Business Law I

 

Instructor Name and Communication Options

Instructor Name:   Ginger R. Devine, J. D.

Preferred Email Method: Canvas Inbox

Secondary Email Method: gdevine@champlain.edu

Phone(s): (573) 445-2778

 

Course Description and Prerequisites

An overview of the entire legal system, with an emphasis on contract rights. The essential elements of a contract, the breach of contracts and the remedies for breach are discussed. Business and consumer laws, including white-collar crime, landlord-tenant rights, real property interests, and administrative law are presented.

 

Student-Centered Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand the essential rights and obligations of the American legal system
  • Identify, analyze, and apply the elements of contract law
  • Recognize the course's legal concepts and their application to business and personal situations
  • "Issue spot," i.e., spot issues that may have legal implications for a business

 

Textbook(s) and Technology Requirements

Required Texts

There are no required textbooks for purchase. You will be provided with links to articles, videos, and lectures throughout the course.

 

Topic Outline

  • Week 1: Sources of Law, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Business Ethics
  • Week 2: Courts, Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution & Constitutional, Statutory, Administrative and Common Law
  • Week 3: Criminal Law & Tort Law
  • Week 4: Contract Law
  • Week 5: Third Party Rights & Performance of Contracts
  • Week 6: Sales (UCC), Negotiable Instruments, and Secured Transactions
  • Week 7: Agency and Employment Law

 

Methods of Assessment

Your final grade will be determined based on:

Graded Elements Percentage
Weekly Assignments  45%
Discussions  35%
Final Project  20%
Total 100%
Extra Credit Course Evaluation     1%

Discussions

Weekly discussions are an integral part of learning at Champlain College and represent a significant portion of a student's overall grade. In order to be successful, students should:

  1. Post a thorough, well-crafted initial response that fully addresses and develops all aspects of the prompt by the due date.
  2. Engage substantively throughout the discussion period by responding to others with questions or comments that demonstrate interest, build upon the ideas of others, and encourage elaboration. 
  3. Apply and integrate concepts from this course as well as from quality resources including journals, websites, readings from another class, relevant work or life experience, etc.
  4. Demonstrate attention to style, structure, grammar, etiquette, and proper citation of references to maintain academic integrity.

Discussion grades are determined using the rubric below. The descriptions show what exemplary work looks like for each aspect of an overall discussion.

Discussion Rubric
Criteria Description Max Points
Application Explicitly and thoroughly explains, applies, and integrates a) concepts from this or other courses, b) outside resources or research, c) life experiences, and/or d) processes used to solve problems. 30 pts
Critical Thinking Clearly articulates a desire to a) reflect, b) explore possibility, c) recognize ambiguity, d) question assumptions, and/or e) search for logical relationships among ideas. Selects, analyzes, and synthesizes relevant information to demonstrate original thinking. 30 pts
Collaboration Fosters collaborative learning while a) problem-solving, b) respectfully challenging others, and/or c) expanding thinking through responses and reflection with other learners throughout the week. Builds on classmate and instructor contributions to deepen the conversation. 30 pts
Presentation Demonstrates attention to APA/MLA style and structure, adheres to rules of grammar and etiquette, and properly cites references to literature and course materials. 10 pts
Total Points: 100

 

Assignments

There are multiple assignments throughout the course including PowerPoints, written work, other slide presentations, and an infographic. Specific assignment rubrics will be used to assess each. Please review the rubrics within the assignment links.

Student Resources & Policies

Academic Honesty Policy

Champlain College students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the College’s policy for Academic Honesty. Academic honesty entails creating original assignments, using your own words, and when using the words and ideas of others, documenting those sources using the method specified in this course. Please consult with your instructor if you are in doubt. Violations of the policy could result in a grade of F on the assignment or in the course as well as dismissal from the College.

 

Grading Policies

CCO Grading Policy

Grading Scale

 

Student Resources
Accessibility and Accommodations Champ Support
Bookstore Library Resources
Canvas Support Online Tutoring (Smarthinking)
Career Services Student Accounts

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due