Introduction to Business Law - BUS 240 at Mountain Empire Community College
https://courses.vccs.edu/colleges/mecc/courses/BUS240-IntroductiontoBusinessLaw
Effective: 2023-05-01
Course Description
Provides an introduction to the American legal system and the use of law to achieve economic and social goals. Highlights ethical principles and legal reasoning underlying the rights and obligations of business relationships and their effect on business decision-making. Emphasizes fundamental principles of government regulation and the court system, constitutional law, torts, criminal law, contracts, agency, employment, and property law.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
The course will emphasize the importance of critical thinking, communication and evidence-based argument in solving problems in business and law.
Course Objectives
- Communication
- Effectively communicate legal and ethical principles using evidence.
- Critical Thinking
- Identify and solve problems using legal and ethical principles and evidence.
Major Topics to be Included
- Unit 1: Understanding the Legal Environment/Foundations of Law
- Sources of Law/Nature of Law
- Ethics
- Courts and Jurisdiction
- Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Constitutional Law
- Identify the different courts within the state and federal systems
- Differentiate the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the government in regulating organizations and shaping the "law of the land"
- Identify basic procedural maneuvers in the trial and appellate processes
- Identify the basic Constitutionally guaranteed rights of a person or organization
- Unit 2: Torts and Product Liability, & Criminal Law
- Explain the nature of a tort and classify the types of tort action
- List examples of different types of torts
- Identify the various remedies available under tort law
- Illustrate the difference between a crime and tort
- Describe the nature of a crime and classify the basic types of crimes
- Unit 3: Contracts
- Define a contract, listing the required elements for the creation of a contract
- Classify the types of contracts as to formation, enforceability, and performance
- Describe the requirements for a valid contract offer and acceptance
- Identify the basic remedies for breach of contract.
- Unit 4: Agency Law, & Employment Law
- Describe the establishment of agency relationships, duty of care, liability, responsibilities and rights of principals and agents
- Describe the process of termination or dissolution of an agency relationship
- Identify the different theories by which a person can be held legally responsible for contracts made or torts committed by his or her agents and employees
- Summarize the basics of various employment laws in the workplace
- Unit 5: Property
- Define personal property and identify ways in which personal property is acquired
- Identify the elements of a bailment and describe the types of bailments
- Explain the nature of real property
- Explain the nature and purpose of property insurance