BUL 3320 - Law and Business I

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA ST.PETERSBURG
Spring 2007

BUL-3320

Instructor: Nicole Forbes Stowell , J.D., M.B.A.

Office: COB 324

Email: nstowell@stpt.usf.edu

Phone: 727-873-4543

Distance Learning:

This course will be delivered online through the USF Blackboard system ( https://my.usf.edu ). All lectures, PowerPoint slides, and quizzes will be posted on this site. You will need a computer with Internet Explorer to view the lectures. It is your responsibility to learn how to use Blackboard. You must access your USF e-mail account regularly. I will post announcements and send e-mail to all students registered in the course, but only through USF e-mail accounts. I cannot access your personal e-mail account through Blackboard. It is your responsibility to ensure that e-mail sent to your USF e-mail account is being forwarded to your preferred e-mail account. If you send me an e-mail from an account other than your USF e-mail account and I do not respond within 48-hours, please take that as an indication that I did not receive the e-mail and send the e-mail from your USF e-mail account.

It is strongly recommended that you visit www.dl.usf.edu for a demonstration of a distance learning lecture. In addition to offering a demonstration, this website will likely answer questions you may have regarding distance learning (technical requirements, for example). I would ask that if you have a technical question about distance learning, please first visit this website to see if your question is answered.

If your home computer does not meet the recommended technical requirements, there are computers available on campus (for example, on the first floor of the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library) and a viewing room available in the distance learning center (second floor of the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library).

Grade Requirements:

A "C-" or better is required in every College of Business core course.

Course Description:

This course covers the nature of legal and societal institutions and environments and major aspects of public, private, and related business law.

Course Objectives:

•  Demonstrate general knowledge of a broad range of legal issues, including, but not limited to, the Federal and Florida judicial systems, the requirements for a valid contract, the different types of property, how property ownership may be acquired, how property is transferred, and wills, trusts, and elder law.

•  Recognize legal issues surrounding general business transactions.

•  Communicate using legal vocabulary.

Required Text:

West's Business Law, Alternate Edition, Ninth Edition

Jentz, Miller & Cross

ISBN 0-324-26997-8

Exams:

Three exams will be given, as indicated below. The exams will cover material in your chapter readings and material covered during lectures. Each exam will consist of 80 multiple-choice questions and true/false questions. No exam will be comprehensive in scope.

Exams will start promptly at the beginning of the scheduled time and will end one hour and a half later. If you show up late, then you will have less time to take the exam. A missed exam will result in a grade of zero unless there are exceptional circumstances which have been discussed with the instructor prior to the exam; otherwise, no makeup exams are given. In general, I only make accommodations in the case of extreme emergencies. What constitutes "exceptional circumstances" and "extreme emergencies" are in the instructors' sole and absolute discretion. Arrangements require two-way, in-person contact. If your work or personal affairs will interfere with a scheduled exam, you should take this course at a different time. At the instructor's option, any makeup examination may be in essay format .

No notes, books, dictionaries, electronic devices, or other aids may be referred to or otherwise utilized during testing. Students who leave during an examination must turn in their examination prior to leaving the examination room. Examinations must be delivered to me before leaving the classroom; any student failing to do so will be given a failing grade for the course and reported for further proceedings to University of South Florida - St. Petersburg. Likewise, any student caught cheating on an exam will be given a failing grade for the course and reported for further proceedings to University of South Florida - St. Petersburg.

I will provide the scantron answer sheet for the exams. You must arrive at the exam on time and with a few #2 pencils and an eraser. Questions not answered within the time limit will be counted as incorrect.

When handing in your exam, you must present your USF student identification card. Use of the USF student identification card by anyone other than the person to whom it was issued is strictly prohibited.  The student is subject to disciplinary actions or other penalties for improper use of the card.  

Quizzes:

Three quizzes will be given, as indicated below. The quizzes will be administered through Blackboard. The quizzes will consist of a total of ten (10) true/false and multiple choice questions based on the lectures. Each quiz will be open note and open book; however, no human contact of any kind (verbal, non-verbal, e-mail) may be used. The Student Honor System applies to the quizzes.

Once you begin the quiz, you will have forty-five (45) minutes to complete the quiz. Questions not completed within the time limit will be counted as incorrect. Quizzes may only be taken once. The answer key for each quiz will be available after the quiz has expired. A missed quiz will result in a grade of zero.

Please refer to the "Blackboard Quiz Instructions" sheet at the end of the syllabus for detailed information on how to take a quiz. A practice quiz based on the contents of this syllabus will be posted within one (1) week of the start of classes to give you an opportunity to become familiar with the Blackboard quiz setup. This quiz does not count toward any part of your grade.

Grading Policy:

The final grade for the course will be based on the following:

First exam: 70-80 points

Second exam: 70-80 points

Third exam: 70-80 points

Quizzes (3): 30 points

For example, if at the end of the semester, each exam is worth 80 points, the total for all three (3) exams would be 240 points. The 30 possible points for the quizzes will be added to the 240 points, which would be a total of 270 points for the semester. If a student scores 70 on the first exam, 65 on the second exam, and 70 on the third exam, and receives 25 points on the quizzes, the student's total points for the semester would total 230, which is a final grade of 85% (230/270). Please refer to this formula throughout the semester and at the end of the semester to calculate your grade.

Due the short deadline for delivering final grades to the Registrar's Office and privacy concerns, I will not give out final grades via e-mail or telephone.

There will be no "special projects," research reports, or extra credit of any kind.

The final course grades will be allocated as follows:

A+ = 96 - 100%

A = 92 - 95%

A- = 90 - 91%

B+ = 88 - 89%

B = 82 - 87%

B- = 80 - 81%

C+ = 78 - 79%

C = 72 - 77%

C- = 70 - 71%

D = 65 - 70%

F = Below 65%

PowerPoint Slides:

PowerPoint slides for each chapter will be posted on Blackboard. Each student is responsible for printing out the slides.

The slides are the personal property of the instructor and may not be sold, copied (except for a classmate currently registered in BUL 3320), or posted on the Internet. Anyone doing so will receive a failing grade for the course and reported for further proceedings with University of South Florida - St. Petersburg .

Grades:  

The instructor utilizes Blackboard for posting grades. The grades will be posted as scores (points) on Blackboard, so the student will have to calculate the percentage grade.

Grades are generally posted seven days (or less) after test dates. It is the student's responsibility to check Blackboard and make sure their grades are correct.  

Course Policies:

Successful completion of this course will require that you view and prepare for class. The student is responsible for knowing what subject matter is discussed during the lectures and the coverage of the examinations.

English as a second language:

Please note that if you do not speak fluent English, you are not permitted to use dictionaries or other aids on examinations. You are advised to take this course after completing your English competency examinations and other courses as the course is difficult without a proficient understanding of the English language.

Syllabus controls:  

This syllabus controls all matters related to the class.  In no event will student requests for exceptions be granted.   Requests for separate or special treatment will be considered to be a "disruption of the academic process" in accordance with the USF Graduate Catalog 2001-2004, or later, and will be dealt with in accordance with the procedures therein depending on the nature and seriousness of the offense.  In the event of policy, catalog, or other differences between the USF catalog and a St. Petersburg campus policy, the St. Petersburg campus policy will control.  

This syllabus may be revised during the semester to correct errors, provide clarification or to articulate university and/or college policies.  In addition, the instructor reserves the right to make changes as she deems necessary for the administration of the course.   Emergencies, including extreme weather conditions, security issues and other matters may also result in changes to the course format, this syllabus, lectures, etc.

Calculators:

You will not need a calculator for the exam and, therefore, calculators are not permitted.

Name changes (marriage, etc.):

In the event a student's name changes during the semester the instructor should be notified in writing.

Classmates:

You are expected to be responsible for keeping up with covered materials, knowing the dates of examinations, knowing the materials covered, etc.  If you lose track of this information, you will be expected to contact a classmate for that information. Please exchange your name with a classmate or two along with email or telephone numbers.

Examination Review:

Students may make an appointment to review an examination, which appointment request must be made within one (1) week (which includes holidays) after the administration of the examination. Please send me an e-mail within one (1) week after the examination requesting a review. In addition, if you have a concern about a particular question on an exam, please request clarification during the examination. After the examination has been graded is not the time to raise the concern. Likewise, if you have a concern about a particular question on a quiz, you must e-mail me for clarification within twenty-four (24) hours of your completion of the quiz.

Religious Holidays:

Students should notify the instructor of religious holidays that a student intends to observe by the second week of class.

Drop Deadline:

Students are responsible for the deadline(s) for dropping a class. This information can be found at the following website: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/admissions/calendar.htm .

Copyrights:

The sale of class notes is prohibited.

Key Leadership Skills and Perspectives Addressed in This Course:

Interpersonal and Communication Skills - class discussions throughout the semester regarding legal topics, cases, and statutes.

Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills - reading and analyzing court opinions, statutes, and rules, and thinking about issues and legal problems that occur in society and in business.

Information Technology Skills - use of USF Virtual Library for library and online research techniques.

Reflective Thinking and Experiential Learning - understanding that the law is a set of general rules and then applying the general rules to actual situations and/or hypothetical situations.

Ethical and Social Consciousness - discussion of business ethics throughout the semester, including, but not limited to, the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, and fiduciary duties.

Multicultural Competence - lecture on employment discrimination.

Academic Dishonesty:

See USF Policy on Academic Dishonesty and Disruption of Academic Process at www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0304/adadap.htm . Because of the University's commitment to academic integrity, plagiarism or cheating on course work or on examinations will result in penalties that may include a grade of "F" for the specific exam or course work and a grade of "F" or "FF" for the course. Any incident of academic dishonesty will be reported to the dean of the college. Definitions and punishment guidelines for Plagiarism, Cheating, and Student Disruption of the Academic Process may be found at the web address listed above.

Students with Disabilities:

Please notify your instructor by the second day of class if you have a learning disability or require special assistance with this course. Confidential personal and learning assistance counseling are made available to students through the Division of Student Affairs. Students who need extended time on exams need to inform the Disabilities Office at least seven (7) school days (Monday - Friday) in advance of the scheduled exam, so that the Disabilities Office has adequate time to inform me.

BLACKBOARD QUIZ INSTRUCTION SHEET

•  Go to the myUSF webpage, log on, and click on the "Courses" tab at the top of the screen.

•  Go to your BUL3320 section webpage.

•  Under the "Assignments" tab, select the quiz.

•  Once you open the quiz, you must take it within the forty-five (45) minute time limit or the quiz will be graded and recorded as completed.

•  Use the mouse to click once in your choice for an answer (avoid double-clicks).

•  When you are sure of your answers, click on the "Submit" button to submit your answers.

•  You will be asked to confirm your submission and, if you are sure, click on "OK" once.

•  A new screen will come up confirming submission of your answers. Click on "OK" to review your results.

•  Your grade should be posted within minutes to 24-hours, if submitted properly. Please check to make sure that the grade has been posted.

•  Each quiz is worth ten (10) points.

•  No make-ups or extensions are allowed on the quizzes.

•  Answers will be made available after the quiz expires.

•  The Student Honor System applies to the quizzes. Students may use their textbook and lecture material; however, no human contact of any kind (verbal, non-verbal, e-mail) may be used.