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.

Prerequisites:
None

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

In order to succeed in this online course, you must be comfortable working with technology. At a minimum, you must possess the following technical skills:

• Ability to use the Internet in an effective and efficient manner, including installation and management of browser plug-ins and add-ons.
• Basic knowledge about the operation of a computer, file management, and software installation.
• Working knowledge of the Canvas learning management system.
• Ability to proficiently search the web for information
• Ability to download and print information from websites
• Ability to download, view, and/or print PDF files.

Business Law
By  Karen W. Braun; Michael Fricke; Wendy M. Tietz
Edition : 23
Publisher : PEARSON CO
ISBN 13 : 8220132918277

Course weighting:

NOVA Online proctored or major assessments are required to maintain compliance with our accreditation standards and the Higher Education Act’s identity verification requirements for online courses. College-wide, proctored or major assessments must prove identity. To accomplish this in online courses, students must show overall passing levels on the proctored or major assessments in order to pass the course.

In this online course, if your average score on all proctored (Exam 1 and 2) or major assessments (the paper) is a passing percentage of 60 percent or higher, then your grade will be calculated according to the scale in the table below. Otherwise, a final grade of F will be assigned.

Your final grade will be based on the following scale.

Instructors will add course policies here and remove the red text. 

Attendance Policy

Late Work Policy

Plagiarism and Use of Generative AI

Grading Turnaround Time

All completed assignments will be graded no later than seven days from the submission date, and sooner when possible.