BUSINESS LAW APPLICATIONS
SM 230-1 FALL 2008

Instructor Information: Bunny Sgambelluri
Email: bunnyman46@yahoo.com
Pager: 476-4671
GCC: 735-5618
Office: D8b
Office Hours:
Tu -1:30 - 3:30
W -12:30 - 1:30
Th -1:30 - 3:30

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the substantive law that governs American commerce. Specific legal concepts include the legal system and the legal environment operating within the contexts of legal application as related to the Internet environment. Specific laws such as contract laws, real and personal property laws, laws of sales, laws of negotiable instruments, laws governing business organizations, and laws of agency relationships are covered. The traditional common law, as well as statues is presented. The study of cyberlaw is incorporated throughout the basic text of this course. This course is for people studying business related subjects and anyone interested in the legal aspects of operating a business.

Prerequisites: None.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of SM230, the student be able to:

discuss business ethics and social responsibilities;

apply intellectual property and Internet law in cyberspace transactions;

distinguish between crimes and torts;

explain the nature and classifications of contracts;

distinguish among the nature and classes of real and personal property;

draft basic contracts;

distinguish among the nature and classes of negotiable instruments;

summarize debtor-creditor relationships;

explain the new legal concepts of Cyber law.

Required Text
All students must obtain the course textbook

Fundamental of Business Law, Seventh Edition, Miller and Jentz, Thomson Southwestern

Course Activities
Students will be exposed to a learning experience such as lectures, discussions, role play-judge, plaintiff, and defendant, class group case analysis, class group legal issues problem solving, PowerPoint presentations, legal/audit guest speakers, and when scheduled-field trips. Students may also be assigned work outside the classroom that may include but not limited to law library, WWW research projects or other assignments at the discretion of the instructor.

Credit Hours (3)

Meeting Dates and time
MW 6:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.

Course Guidelines
Attendance: You are expected to be prompt for class meetings and attendance is required.
The instructor will take attendance at each class meeting.

Classroom Etiquette
As a courtesy to the class, all cell phones, pagers, and other electronic hardware must be off or on "silent mode," also known as "buzz" mode. Emergency phone calls must be taken outside of the classroom. Portable audio/visual devices are not to be played during class.

Class preparation
SM 230 Business Law Application is a comprehensive introductory course to the real world of American commercial law; therefore, it is your responsibility and to your benefit to be current with chapter and assignment preparations. Being prepared for class not only affords you the opportunity to better understand the discussion, but also allows for easier class participation.

Assignments
Assignments-as scheduled-are expected on due dates; All Assignments must have the following information in the upper left-hand corner: (1) Student name, (2) Course number (SM230-1) (3) Assignment No., (4) MW or TTR class, (5) and Date. Assignments must be typewritten, double-spaced, and stapled. Deviations from these requirements will cause your papers to be rejected. And please note: only assignments from the attended class will be accepted; no mixing of assignments from other class periods allowed.

Late Assignments
If justified, late assignments may be accepted. Under no circumstances, however, will late assignments be accepted past three consecutive class meetings after the due date. Letter grade "B" (89%) will be the highest grade attainable for accepted late assignments. The instructor reserves the right to make the final decision concerning late assignments.

Makeup Tests
It is your responsibility to make prior arrangements with the instructor-before the scheduled mid-term and final exams dates-before makeup will be allowed. Makeup exams may be different from scheduled exams. The instructor reserves the right to assign a research paper or other assignments in lieu of a makeup exam. And in fairness to students who take their scheduled exams, the instructor reserves the right to make the final decision concerning makeup exams.

Participation
Always remember that each of you are unique individuals and have special experiences and contributions you bring to the class meetings. Please feel free to express your ideas and comments; it is important to all of us; we all can learn from each other-please participate!

Class Make-up
In the event classes are postponed as a result of a power outage, water outage, bomb scare, typhoon, or other natural disasters, all classes missed will be made up by: (1) extending the class meeting time an additional 15-20 minutes until the contact hours missed are met or (2) scheduling the classes on a Friday or Saturday as well as other arrangements.

Students with Special Needs
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a student who wishes to receive some instructional accommodation, because of a documented sensory and/or learning disability, should meet with the instructor to discuss this accommodation. The student must have been identified, as "special needs" by the college and an appropriate letter must be provided by the Accommodative Services Coordinator to the course instructor. Provisions for accommodations will be made by the instructor based upon written guidelines from the college's Office of Accommodative Services.

Grading Procedure: Grading Scale:
Final Grade:
Tests (Mid-Term (30%) & Finals (30%) 60% A 90 - 100
Assignments 25% B 80 - 89
Attendance/participation 15% C 70 - 79
Total 100% D 60 - 69
F 0 - 59

TENTATIVE SM230 FALL 2008 SCHEDULE

Course Disclaimer
The syllabus is tentative and subject to modifications according to progress, needs and interest of students.

DATE CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS COMMENTS
Week 1 How to Brief Cases
Week 2 Sources of Business Law
Week 3 Contracts
Week 4 Contracts
Week 5 Contracts
Week 6 Contracts
Week 7 Contracts
Week 8 Sales and Lease Contracts Mid-Term
Week 9 Agency Relationships
Week 10 Agency Relationships
Week 11 Real and Personal Property
Week 12 Real and Personal Property
Week 13 Business Organizations
Week 14 Bankruptcy
Week 15 Debtor/Creditor Relationships Finals

BUSINESS LAW ASSIGNMENTS
FALL 2008

(1) Assignment #1 Due: Week 5
Page 138-139 Questions for Analysis Answer Questions 1 through 5
"Merchants & Farmers"

(2) Assignment #2 Due: Week 8
Page 254-255 Questions for Analysis Answer Questions 1 through 5
"MPACT"

(3) Assignment #3 Due: Week 11
Page 539 A Questions of Ethics Questions 1 through 3
"Diamond Shamrock"

(4) Assignment #4 Due: Week 15
Page 614 Terms and Concepts Define all the terms

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Guest Speaker

Ms. Pilar Pangelinan

(1) Week 12 Unit 5 Negotiable Instruments;
(2) Week 14 Unit 6 Debtor-Creditor Relationships

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