Environment Legal of Business I MGT 218-01 Syllabus Saint Louis University John Cook School of Business
19January11
Legal Environment of Business I MGT 218-01 3 Credit Hours MWF 10:00 am 10:50 am Spring 2011: January 19 May 9, 2011 Classroom: DS 274
CRN: 25919
Final Exam: Wednesday, May 11, 2011, Noon to 1:50 pm Instructor: Vincent T. Volpe, J.D., M.B.A., M.Ed., C.P.A. Assistant Professor of Management Office: DS 105 (NE corner of the first floor; near Entrepreneurship Center) Office Hours: MW 8:00 am -- 9:00 am; MWF 11:00 am -- 11:30 am; M 3:30 pm -- 4:30 pm; and by appointment (arranged via email correspondence) Telephone: [phone] (Campus Office DS 105); If no answer, please send email. E-mail: [e-mail] Alternate Contact/ Drop-off materials with: Angela Coleman, Dept. Secretary, DS411; [phone] Text:
Contemporary Business and Online Commerce Law, Seventh Edition, Cheeseman, Henry R.; Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010 ISBN: 978-0-13-608554-6.
Course Description:
Introduction to the U.S. legal system and to specific areas of the law such as torts, contracts, the law of agency and of business organizations. The course also covers American public law affecting business, including securities regulations, employment and international law. Global and ethical issues are considered throughout.
Course Objectives: 1. To acquire an awareness of business ethics as well as potential conflicts between the law and ethics;
to acquire a basic understanding of the court/legal system in the United States; to acquire a general knowledge of administrative, agency, constitutional, contract, corporation, employment, intellectual property, labor, partnership, product liability, securities and tort law.
2. To recognize areas of potential legal concern in the business environment 3. To understand legal reasoning and to be able to apply legal principles mastered in the classroom to
business situations.
Student Evaluation:
Grading Scale A 4.0 93 100%
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AB+ B BC+ C CD F
3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.0 0
90 -87 83 80 -77 73 70 -60 below
92% 89% 86% 82% 79% 76% 72% 69% 60%
Weight of Requirements:
15% 15% 20% 20% 30% 100% Participation/ Attendance Writing Assignment (Due Friday, April 8, 2011) Exam #1: Chs 1 6, 42, 43 Exam #2: Chs 7 17 Exam #3 (Final): Chs 29 41, 54
Note: There will be no "extra credit" assignments available to any student.
Requirements:
Participation/ Attendance (15%): Class participation listening, note taking, referencing the text during class, answering and asking questions, and participating in any classroom discussions that may arise are all very important to your learning and as contributions to the learning of your classmates. The "teachable moments" are often created by student questions or comments and you are encouraged to raise points for discussion when you feel it is appropriate. All smart phones, cell phones and other electronic communication or entertainment devices must be turned OFF and stored during all class sessions and exams. Although many of us refer to our smart phone or cell phone repeatedly during the day, there is no need for any student to check a smart phone or cell phone during any 50minute class session. Unless authorized by the Office of Disabilities Services or specifically allowed by your instructor for a specific in-class assignment, the use of any laptop computer, tablet computer, smart phone or any similar electronic device, whether web-enabled or not, is not permitted during any class session. This prohibition allows for all students to pay closer attention to, and participate in, class discussions without the distractions that the use of such devices create for the users, the instructor and other students in the class. Each student should be prepared to listen, take notes and participate in each 50-minute class session without relying on any electronic device. Attendance matters. An attendance list will be passed around the classroom for each class session and must be personally signed by each student. Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive and should be avoided. Students are expected to be on time and are also expected to remain in class until dismissed by the instructor at the end of each class session. A late arrival or early departure may result in being marked as absent for that class session. If you are feeling sleep-deprived during any class session, please feel free to leave the classroom; falling asleep in class or during exams is not appropriate.
Writing Assignment (15%): The writing assignment will be worth 15% of the grade. The paper is due no later than the start of the class session on Friday, April 8, 2011. Writing assignments will not be accepted after that
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time. You may either hand in a hard copy of the writing assignment to me in person when you arrive in class or if on a date prior to that day -- deliver such a copy to me in class or in my office in Room 105. (Do not simply drop off the paper on some desk or in my in-box: if you do not hand the paper to me directly, you must have someone in my office indicate the time and date you submitted the paper and ask them to initial that notation). You must get the approval of your instructor for your topic and springboard article by Friday, March 4, 2011. [Please see the separate document, "Writing Assignment Spring 2011," for details on the requirements for this writing assignment.] Exams (20%, 20% and 30%): There will be three exams, including the final exam. The first two exams will be worth 20% each and the final exam will be worth 30% of the student's grade. The test format of each exam will include an objective section and a short essay/ short answer/ fill-in-the-blank section. When you arrive for each exam, you are required to bring with you a: #2 pencil for use in answering the objective section on a Scantron sheet; blue or black ink pen for use in answering essay, short answer and fill-in-the-blank questions;
Student Conduct:
It is your responsibility to attend every class. Please treat each class session with the same respect as you would if you were already in a paid job and you were meeting with a customer or client, vendor or colleague. Since the exam questions are drawn from both readings and lecture materials, it is in the student's best interest that no classes are missed. Reading assignments should be completed before coming to class. You will take better notes in class if you are familiar with the material. If you do miss a class, it is the student's responsibility to get notes and updates from another student. Since we will often refer to cases and definitions in the text, please bring your own copy of the text to every class. Be on time. If you come in late to class, do not disturb the other students or the instructor. Find out what you missed from another student after class. If you arrive late on an exam day, please immediately see me before sitting down to be certain I know you have arrived, I can give you the exam and you have all necessary instructions. During any exams or quizzes, students may not be in possession of any books, notes, or electronic devices of any kind unless the instructor has previously specifically approved of such materials or devices. Absences: An excused absence is one that is verified by an original, signed memorandum or note from: (1) a doctor explaining the general nature of the health issue (there is no need to provide confidential information) that caused your absence as well as indicating the time period for which the doctor considered you to be unable to participate in class; or (2) an official SLU office indicating what approved university activity was or will be undertaken. Any student who knows that he or she will miss an exam or a deadline for an assignment for an excused reason must always notify me in advance. If a student does not have a previously excused absence for missing an exam or assignment, or whether the student has a legitimate excuse or not -- I have not heard from the student prior to the time scheduled for the start of the exam or the deadline for the assignment, the student will receive a grade of zero for that exam or assignment without the possibility of taking a make-up exam or an extension of a deadline. If a student misses an exam or an assignment deadline and has a legitimate excused absence, the student must provide the instructor with the appropriate original, signed memorandum or note and must take the initiative to talk with the instructor about making (advance or follow-up) arrangements to take that exam or submit the assignment at the earliest possible time as required by the instructor.
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Academic Integrity:
The following is a statement of minimum standards for student academic integrity at Saint Louis University: The University is a community of learning, whose effectiveness requires an environment of mutual trust and integrity, such as would be expected at a Jesuit, Catholic institution. As members of this community, students, faculty, and staff members share the responsibility to maintain this environment. Academic dishonesty violates it. Although not all forms of academic dishonesty can be listed here, it can be said in general that soliciting, receiving, or providing any unauthorized assistance in the completion of any work submitted toward academic credit is dishonest. It not only violates the mutual trust necessary between faculty and students but also undermines the validity of the University's evaluation of students and takes unfair advantage of fellow students. Further, it is the responsibility of any student who observes such dishonest conduct to call it to the attention of a faculty member or administrator. Examples of academic dishonesty would be copying from another student, copying from a book or class notes during a closed-book exam, submitting materials authored by or editorially revised by another person but presented as the student's work, own copying a passage or text directly from a published source without appropriately citing or recognizing that source, taking a test or doing an assignment or other academic work for another student, tampering with another student's work, securing or supplying in advance a copy of an examination without the knowledge or consent of the instructor, and colluding with another student or students to engage in an act of academic dishonesty. Where there is clear indication of such dishonesty, a faculty member or administrator has the responsibility to apply appropriate sanctions. Investigations of violations will be conducted in accord with standards and procedures of the school or college through which the course or research is offered. Recommendations of sanctions to be imposed will be made to the dean of the school or college in which the student is enrolled. Possible sanctions for a violation of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, disciplinary probation, suspension, and dismissal from the University.
Writing Center:
You are encouraged to take advantage of the Writing Center's services; getting feedback benefits writers at all skill levels. The Center helps with writing projects, multimedia projects, and oral presentations. They offer oneon-one consultations that address everything from brainstorming and developing ideas to crafting strong sentences and documenting sources. For more information, call 977-2937 or visit http://www.slu.edu/departments/sesc/writing.html. If it can be arranged, we will have an in-class presentation by the Writing Center this semester.
Office of Disabilities Services:
Students who believe that, due to the impact of a disability, they may need academic accommodations in order to meet the requirements of this, or any other class at Saint Louis University are encouraged to contact the Disability Services office at 977-8885 or should visit the Busch Student Center, Suite 331 (Student Success Center). Confidentiality will be observed in all inquiries.
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Course Outline: [This Course Outline is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.]
Week Class Dates 2011 M 1 W F M 2 W F M 3 W F M 4 W F M 5 W F M 6 W F M W 7 F
Mar 4 Ch. 15: Third-Party Rights and Discharge Ch. 16: Remedies for Breach of Traditional and E-Contracts Jan 17 Jan 19 Jan 21 Jan 24 Jan 26 Jan 28 Jan 31 Feb 2 Feb 4
Readings/ Class Discussion
Martin Luther King DAY (Official University Holiday) NO CLASSES Course Introduction Ch. 1: Legal Heritage and the Information Age Ch. 2: Court Systems and Jurisdiction Ch. 3: Judicial, Alternative and Online Dispute Resolution Ch. 4: Constitutional Law for Business and E-Commerce Ch. 43: Administrative Law and Regulatory Agencies Ch. 42: Ethics and Social Responsibility of Business Ch. 5: Intentional Torts and Negligence Ch. 5: Intentional Torts and Negligence Ch. 6: Strict Liability and Product Liability Review for Exam #1
Assignments/ Notes
Case Problems: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Case Problems: 3.1, 3.2, 3.6 Case Problems: 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.8 Case Problems: 43.2, 43.3, 43.5, 43.6 Case Problems: 42.1, 42.2, 42.5 Case Problems:5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.9 Case Problems:5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.9 Case Problems: 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6
Feb 7
Exam #1: Chs 1 6, 42, 43
Ch. 7: Intellectual Property and Cyber Piracy Ch. 7: Intellectual Property and Cyber Piracy Ch. 7: Intellectual Property and Cyber Piracy Ch. 8: Criminal Law and Cyber Crimes Ch. 9: Nature of Traditional and Online Contracts Ch. 10: Agreement Ch. 11: Consideration and Promissory Estoppel Ch. 12: Capacity and Legality Ch. 13: Genuineness of Assent and Undue Influence Ch. 14: Statute of Frauds and Equitable Exceptions Case Problems: 7.1, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8 Case Problems: 7.1, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8 Case Problems: 7.1, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8 Case Problems: 8.1, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6 Case Problems: 9.1, 9.3 Case Problems: 10.1, 10.3, 10.6 Case Problems: 11.1 Case Problems: 12.1, 12.6, 12.10 Case Problems: 13.3, 13.5 Case Problems: 14.8, 14.9 Last day for approval of Writing Assignment topic Case Problems: 15.4 Case Problems: 16.1, 16.4, 16.7, 16.8
Feb 9 Feb 11 Feb 14 Feb 16 Feb 18 Feb 21 Feb 23 Feb 25 Feb 28 Mar 2
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Week Class Dates 2011 M 8 W F 9 M W F M 10 W F M 11 W F M W 12 F
Apr 8 Mar 7
19January11 Readings/ Class Discussion
Ch. 17: Internet Law and E-Commerce Review for Exam #2
Assignments/ Notes
Mar 9 Mar 11 Mar 14 Mar 16 Mar 18 Mar 21 Mar 23 Mar 25 Mar 28 Mar 30 Apr 1 Apr 4 Apr 6
Exam #2: Chs 7 17
Ch. 29: Agency Formation and Termination SPRING BREAK: March 14 - 18 NO CLASSES Ch. 29: Agency Formation and Termination Ch. 30: Liabilities of Principals, Agents, and Independent Contractors Ch. 31: Employment, Worker Protection, and Immigration Laws Ch. 32: Labor Law and Collective Bargaining Ch. 33: Equal Opportunity in Employment Ch. 33: Equal Opportunity in Employment Ch. 34: Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and General Partnerships Ch. 34: Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and General Partnerships Ch. 35: Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Limited Partnerships Case Problems: 29.1, 29.2, 29.3 Case Problems: 30.2, 30.3, 30.4, 30.8 Case Problems: 31.2, 31.3, 31.7 Case Problems: 32.1, 32.4, 32.8, 32.10 Case Problems:33.2, 33.3, 33.5, 33.6, 33.7, 33.8 Case Problems:33.2, 33.3, 33.5, 33.6, 33.7, 33.8 Case Problems: 34.2, 34.3 Case Problems: 34.2, 34.3 Case Problems: 29.1, 29.2, 29.3
Writing Assignment Due (by 10:00am)
Case Problems: 35.1, 35.4, 35.5, 35.9 Case Problems: 39.1, 39.3, 39.5, 39.9 Case Problems: 40.1, 40.3, 40.7, 40.8 Case Problems: 40.1, 40.3, 40.7, 40.8 Case Problems: 36.2, 36.5, 36.6, 36.10 Case Problems: 37.5, 37.7, 37.8, 37.10
M 13 W F M 14 W F M 15 W F
Apr 11 Apr 13 Apr 15 Apr 18 Apr 20 Apr 22 Apr 25 Apr 27 Apr 29
Ch. 39: Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships Ch. 40: Franchises and Special Forms of Business Ch. 40: Franchises and Special Forms of Business Ch. 36: Corporate Formation and Financing Ch. 37: Corporate Governance and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act GOOD FRIDAY NO CLASSES EASTER MONDAY NO CLASSES Ch. 37: Corporate Governance and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Ch. 38: Corporate Acquisitions and Multinational Corporations
Case Problems: 37.5, 37.7, 37.8, 37.10 Case Problems: 38.2
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Week Class Dates 2011 M 16 W F
May 2 May 4 May 6
19January11 Readings/ Class Discussion
Ch. 41: Investor Protection and Online Securities Transactions Ch. 41: Investor Protection and Online Securities Transactions Ch. 54: International and World Trade Law LAST CLASS
Assignments/ Notes
Case Problems: 41.1, 41.3, 41.4, 41.5, 41.7, 41.9 Case Problems: 41.1, 41.3, 41.4, 41.5, 41.7, 41.9 Case Problems: 54.3, 54.4
M 17 W F 18 M R
May 9
Ch. 54: International and World Trade Law Review for Final Exam (Exam #3)
Case Problems: 54.3, 54.4
May 11 May13 May 16 May 19
Final Exam (Exam #3): Chs 29 41, 54
Noon to 1:50 pm NO CLASS: Exam Week NO CLASS: Exam Week Final Course Grades posted by 5:00pm
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Biographical Information Vincent T. Volpe, J.D., M.B.A., M.Ed., C.P.A. Assistant Professor of Management Mr. Volpe has 37 years experience in a professional career as an accountant, attorney, investment banker, operating executive and management consultant working with a broad range of manufacturing, distribution, services and retail companies. In 2006 he was appointed Assistant Professor of Management in the John Cook School of Business of Saint Louis University where he teaches courses in business law, entrepreneurship, management, family business and business planning. In 1999 Mr. Volpe founded his own firm, Arbiris Consulting, to provide client management teams with senior-level advisory services for launching, expanding or re-focusing strategies, business operations and business development. His previous experience includes: CEO of PPC International, a global behavioral healthcare company, where he directed the establishment of professional service resources in over 100 countries. He leveraged PPCI's operational, legal and marketing framework by pioneering the implementation of a global licensing program to grow the company's worldwide service network. M&A and investment banking with Pauli & Company, an NASD broker-dealer. Coordinating KPMG's firm-wide international Quality Group team. Leading the KPMG Mergers & Acquisitions Group in St. Louis. Corporate law practice with Lewis, Rice & Fingersh and Guilfoil Petzall & Shoemake. Coordinating inter-government and political liaison activities for the Mayor, City of St. Louis. Financial systems development with Barry Wehmiller, an international packaging automation company. Audit and tax work with Deloitte & Touche. Military service with the U.S. Navy. Mr. Volpe holds a J.D. and an M.B.A. from Saint Louis University; an M.Ed. from William Paterson University; and a B.A. from Indiana University. He is a member of the bar in Missouri and Illinois. He is a member of the: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Academy of Legal Studies in Business; Family Firm Institute; and Missouri Venture Forum. Mr. Volpe is a member of the board of directors of Cinema St. Louis; and the Business Finance Corporation of St. Louis County. He is a member, and has served as board member and president, of the Association for Corporate Growth, St. Louis chapter. Mr. Volpe is the former Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the John Cook School of Business. He currently serves as the Business Development Liaison for Saint Louis Business Development Fund and Saint Louis Private Fund. Mr. Volpe is the father of three and grandfather of two. His favorite 21st century rock band is Ludo. To date, Mr. Volpe apparently has the distinction of being the only faculty member in the history of Saint Louis University to have his personal residence featured on an episode of MTV "Cribs" [original air date: 3/7/09].
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