BUS 220 - Legal Environment of Business

1. Analyze the American legal system and the sources of law as applied to various aspects of business.
2. Differentiate legal and ethical theories and the relationship between law and ethics as applied to business and social responsibility.
3. Formulate a pragmatic working knowledge of the American legal system governing business.
4. Appraise liability issues and how to limit risk in business.
5. Develop critical thinking skills as applied to business situations.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and continuous development of the principal sources of state and federal law.
2. Use fundamental knowledge of law to analyze federal and state cases, judicial and administrative.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of personal and organizational ethics and social responsibility as required in the business environment.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of litigation and the state and federal court system, as well as identify alternative dispute resolution procedures, including arbitration, mediation, conciliation and negotiation.
5. Analyze and review the regulation of business by administrative agencies.
6. Compare and analyze the fundamentals of the law of agency, and the identification and understanding of principal-agent and employer-independent contractor relationships.
7. Apply the essential elements of a valid contract: offer and acceptance, consideration, capacity and legality, as well as performance and methods of discharge, breach of contract, and remedies in the context of the current business environment.
8. Identify and discuss the fundamental crimes and torts as they pertain to the business environment.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the laws of warranties and product liability.
10. Analyze and review the various forms of business organizations including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, and other forms of business organizations such as joint ventures, franchises and cooperatives.
11. Analyze and review the rights of creditors, the various forms of bankruptcy, labor and employment law, and employment discrimination.
12. Identify the principal sources of international business law.

1. Introduction to Environment of Business, Law, and Ethics
   1. Sources of law and key functions of the legal system
   2. Classifications of law
   3. United States Constitution: focus on business
      1. Commerce Clause
      2. Taxing Power
      3. Business and the Bill of Rights
      4. Privacy Rights
2. Ethics and Corporate Responsibility
   1. Theories of ethical conduct
   2. Approaches to ethical reasoning
   3. Making ethical business decisions
   4. How the law influences business ethics
3. Judicial System and Litigation
   1. The court system
      1. Federal courts
      2. State courts
   2. Jurisdiction
   3. Basic trial procedures
4. Alternative Dispute Resolution
   1. Arbitration v. litigation
   2. Mediation, conciliation, and negotiation
5. Administrative Law
   1. Powers and functions of administrative agencies
      1. Nature and creation of agencies
      2. Powers and limitations of administrative agencies
   2. Administrative Procedures Act
6. Agency Law
   1. Formation of agency relationships
   2. Duties of principals and agents
   3. Liabilities of principals and agents to third parties
7. Contract Law
   1. Contract formation
      1. Overview of contract law
      2. Elements of a contract
      3. Types of contracts
      4. Contract performance
      5. Breach and remedies
   2. Contract defenses and remedies
8. Crimes and Torts
   1. Basis of criminal law
      1. Criminal liability
      2. Types of crimes
      3. Defenses to criminal liability
      4. Constitutional safeguards and criminal procedures
   2. Basis of Tort law
      1. Intentional torts against persons
      2. Intentional torts against property
      3. Unintentional torts (negligence)
      4. Strict liability
9. Product Liability
   1. Strict liability
   2. Negligence and misrepresentation
   3. Warranties and disclaimers
   4. Defenses
10. Business Enterprise: Legal Forms
    1. Corporate law
    2. Types of business enterprises
       1. Sole proprietorship
       2. Partnership
       3. Corporation
       4. Limited liability company
11. Regulatory Environment of Business
    1. Employment law
       1. Major labor relations laws
       2. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
       3. Collective bargaining
    2. Employment discrimination
       1. Title VII – 1964 Civil Rights Act
       2. Accommodating disabilities
12. International Law and Business
    1. Sources of international law
       1. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
       2. World Trade Organization (WTO)
       3. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
    2. U.S. import and export policy
    3. Business structures in foreign markets
    4. International dispute resolution