Catalog Description

Formerly known as BUS 49
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Introduction to the law as an instrument of social and political control in society. Topics include sources of law and ethics, contracts, torts, agency, judicial and administrative processes, employment law, forms of business organizations, and domestic and international governmental regulations. (C-ID BUS 120) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Analyze cases and identify how those cases progress through the court system.
  • CSLO #2: Differentiate between the application of domestic and international legal principles.
  • CSLO #3: Evaluate the purpose of criminal and tort law as it applies to businesses and society.

Effective Term

Fall 2020

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Analyze cases. Identify issues and apply the appropriate legal rules to the fact patterns to reach defensible legal conclusions (IRAC).
2. Perform legal research, to include evaluating and interpreting a court citation and locating a court case on an assigned topic.
3. Compare and contrast the theories of jurisprudence and the classifications of law.
4. Categorize the types of government agencies, powers and functions, controls through congressional action, executive action, and the courts.
5. Differentiate the relationship between state and federal systems, jurisdiction of courts, the interaction between business managers and lawyers, and the importance of alternate dispute resolution methods.
6. Demonstrate how cases progress through the court system from problem, to filing, to trial, and appeal.
7.Describe the constitutional basis for federal government regulation of business, including limits of government power.
8. Appraise the relationship between law and ethics.
9. Describe the various agency relationships and the duties and liabilities of agents and principals as the foundation of partnerships and corporations.
10. Distinguish between torts and crimes and describe the purpose of criminal and tort law.
11. Evaluate when a promise is enforceable, the elements of a contract, performance, and remedies available in the event of breach.
12. Distinguish between contracts governed by the Uniform Commercial Code and those governed by the common law of contracts.
13. Explain a corporation’s legal structure and differentiate it from other forms of business organization, the meaning of limited liability for the owners; describe the relationship of the various stakeholders.
14. Describe the Constitutional basis for federal governmental regulation of business, including limits of government power.
15. Describe the major federal acts that pertain to antitrust, securities regulation, employment law, and environmental law.
16. Compare and contrast state and federal regulation.
17. Differentiate between the application of domestic and international legal principles.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Social Sciences
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 4H Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Classroom Discussions
      • Example: 1. Given a hypothetical case, discuss how the case would progress through the court system. (Instructor Graded)
    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: 1. In an essay, explain the separation of powers and its purpose. (Rubric Grading)
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: 1. Sample question: Which of the following best describes the relationship between principles and rules? A) Principles are based upon rules B) Rules and principles are independent of one another C) Rules are justifications for principles D) Principles are the reasons for rules (Rubric Graded)
    • Skill Demonstrations
      • Example: 1. Analyze the Constitutionality of the following hypothetical scenario and submit analysis to instructor: A public elementary school in a low-income area gives preference to hiring male teachers in order to balance the gender of its teaching staff and provide positive role models to its students. (Instructor graded)

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Lecture and classroom discussions focusing on application of rules of law to day-to-day situations. Students are expected to use their regularly assigned reading and lecture notes to participate. Instructor uses essay exams to evaluate students ability to articulate legal principles and analyze their application to fact patterns. (Objective 11)

    Distance Learning

    1. Following an on-line lecture on the theories of jurisprudence and the classifications of law, students are expected to compare and contrast the theories of jurisprudence and the classifications of law and post their findings. Students are expected to provide feedback on a minimum of 3 other student posts. (Objective 3)

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read the chapter on the U.S. Constitution and be prepared to discuss the origins, application, and limits of the right to privacy. 2. Read the chapter on Landlord-Tenant Law and be prepared to discuss the rights and responsibilities of the residential tenant.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. Make a 10-15 minute oral presentation to the class describing a legal issue currently in the news. Discuss alternative viewpoints concerning the issue. 2. Write a paper analyzing whether states which do not recognize gay marriage violate the equal protection guarantee of the 14th Amendment.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    Required Materials

    • Law, Business, and Society
      • Author: McAdams, Zucker, Neslund, and Smoker
      • Publisher: McGraw Hill
      • Publication Date: 2018
      • Text Edition: 12th
      • Classic Textbook?: No
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.