1COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS LAW

LAW 1101 - FALL 2020

PROF. JULIET FOLKS

juliet.folks@baruch.cuny.edu

Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday: 10:00 am – 10:45 am. I will be available during this time
for communication via email, the discussion board on Blackboard or Zoom (let me know ahead
of time so that I can schedule accordingly). I can also schedule communication at other mutually
convenient times as well.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
DISTANCE LEARNING – For this semester, this course will be taught at least 50%
synchronously and the rest of the class will be taught asynchronously, however, I will use all
means of communication, including Zoom to keep you engaged. All of your class documents
will be posted on Blackboard under “Course Documents”, including recorded power point notes.

RECORDING OF REMOTE CLASSES – STUDENT CONSENT

Students who participate in this class with their camera on or use a profile image are agreeing to
have their video or image recorded solely for the purpose of creating a record for students
enrolled in the class to refer to, including those enrolled students who are unable to attend live.  If
you are unwilling to consent to have your profile or video image recorded, be sure to keep your
camera off and do not use a profile image. Likewise, students who un-mute during class and
participate orally are agreeing to have their voices recorded.  If you are not willing to consent to
have your voice recorded during class, you will need to keep your mute button activated and
communicate exclusively using the "chat" feature, which allows students to type questions and
comments live.

This course provides an understanding of the nature of law and its role in business. The law of
business contracts will be examined in depth. Other topics for consideration include tort
liability, business ethics, intellectual property, government regulation and employment law. The
course requires case analysis, problem solving, development of critical thinking skills, and oral
as well as written communications.

COURSE LEARNING GOALS: (1) To develop the student’s awareness of legal issues in
today’s business environment. (2) To develop the student’s analytical skills. (3) To enhance the
student’s verbal and written communication skills.

By the end of this semester, students should be able to:

1. Describe the roles of the legislative, executive and judicial branches in creating legal
rules.
2. Compare and contrast methods for the resolution of business disputes
3. Recognize basic legal issues in the areas of business contracts, torts and business
crimes, intellectual property and state the basic legal rules applicable thereto using
appropriate legal terms
 4. Analyze legal problems commonly associated with contractual relations of
commercial enterprises, identifying the legal issues that are presented and the legal
rules that apply, and describing the factors a business person should consider in
deciding upon a course of action in such circumstances
5. Recognize the relationship between and the differences that exist in the legal, ethical
and social responsibilities of business

BBA LEARNING GOALS ADDRESSED IN THIS COURSE:

The faculty of the Zicklin School of Business has adopted seven (7) “Learning Goals” for BBA
students. The purpose of these goals is to create a common understanding between students,
faculty and potential employers of the core objectives for a business education. The seven goals,
together with assessment criteria, can be viewed at
Http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/assessment/Learning_Goals.html

The following Zicklin Learning Goals will be addressed in this course:

Analytical skills
Students will possess the analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate legal issues in the
business environment
Communication skills: Oral
Students will have the necessary oral communication skills to convey ideas persuasively and use
legal terminology effectively
Communication skills: Written
Students will have the necessary written communication skills to convey legal information
persuasively

Civic awareness and Ethical decision-making

Students will have the knowledge base to understand the distinct roles of the judicial, legislative
and executive branches in creating law and legal rules. Students will have the knowledge base
and critical skill to analyze ethical dilemmas in business.

COURSE MATERIALS
TEXTBOOK: ePack: Custom Business Law Today – 12th Ed, 2019, Cengage Pub., $73.00
ISBN: 9780357644737
You will need access to Cengage/NOW, as your grades on quizzes and/or assignments on that
site will count toward your final grade. You can order this ePack directly from the publisher –
check the Blackboard site for the link to purchasing instructions.
Cengage Technical Support: Call 1-800-354-9706, option #5, and then option #2, Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM; Friday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM.
During the “rush” season at the beginning of the semester, customer support will have extended
phone hours or use online chat available 24/7 at support.cengage.com.
CLASS MANAGEMENT POLICIES:

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
Law 1101 has a reputation for being an extremely challenging course. That said, you will find
that it will be a satisfying course where you will learn how to think critically. This course, in its
integration of lectures, class discussions and assignments aim to bring a “real world” perspective
to legal issues in the business environment. You must however be prepared to work hard before
you can “think like a lawyer”. This, in turn, means paying attention to detail, reading assigned
material very closely and being prepared to move with logical progression from one idea to the
next one.
Although the readings are in English, you will have to master a new language of legal
terminology. If you work hard, are conscientious and ask questions, you will be successful.
Learning in this class is also related to your willingness to expose your understanding of the legal
concepts. This includes preparing for class by reading the assigned text, relevant cases and
statutes, as outlined in the reading schedule, as well as presenting your analyses and summary of
these materials.

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY

QUESTIONS REGARDING THE MATERIAL, NO MATTER HOW TRIVIAL YOU MAY
THINK THE QUESTION IS – IT IS MY JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU
UNDERSTAND THE MATERIAL AS BEST AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY UNDER
THESE TRYING TIMES.

CLASS PREPARATION
You are expected to complete the class reading and assignments in a timely manner. You may
not understand everything you read in the text the first time (and this is entirely normal) but you
will have a much easier time in class if you have started to familiarize yourself with the legal
terms and concepts and not get behind in your readings.

CLASS ATTENDANCE
It is critical that you remain engaged in the class as much as possible, considering the
circumstances. It is difficult to succeed in this course without trying to stay on schedule. The
course material cannot be mastered without advance preparation and class participation.

CLASS PARTICIPATION
I expect students to participate in class. Since we are remote learning this means that we will be
communicating in a variety of ways. Class participation, for example, means that you can
contribute to a class discussion board on Blackboard, complete all of your Mind tap online
quizzes and /or assignments, engage in either a one-on-one meeting or review session with me on
Zoom. I believe that class participation relates directly to your understanding of the legal issues
presented in each class session, and, reflects your mastery of the course material.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of and complete all class requirements on time. I
also post announcements on Blackboard. It is important that students learn how to use
Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to access Blackboard and to check your Baruch e-
mail account. If the student is experiencing any difficulties or problems, please contact me as
soon as possible.

EXAM POLICY
All exams will be taken online and will be required to be submitted to Turnitin on Blackboard.

COURSE GRADE is based on

(1) Midterm Exam #1 - 20%
(2) Midterm Exam #2 - 20%
(3) Final exam - 20%
(4) Writing Assignments - 30% (There will be three 1 -2 page writing assignments
– each will be 10% of your final grade)
(5) Participation - 10% ( completing the 10 Mind Tap activities,
participating in Zoom class discussions, discussion board posts, etc.)

The Midterm Exams and the Final Exam will be in the essay (problem solving) format.

ONLINE PROCTORING OF EXAMS

By the time of this class’s midterms or final exams, CUNY faculty might be given access to an
online proctoring system. If we are, I plan to make use of the system for our final (and/or
midterm) examinations. All members of the class will be asked to turn on their web cameras in
order to take the exam(s).”

MAKE-UP EXAMS
Students will be permitted to take make-up exams only in extraordinary circumstances.
Students must present evidence to confirm the reasons(s) for missing a scheduled exam, e.g.
Medical note.

BARUCH COLLEGE POLICY ON ACADEMIC HONESTY

The Department of Law fully supports Baruch College’s policy on Academic Honesty which states in part:
“Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Cheating, forgery, plagiarism and collusion in
dishonest acts undermine the college’s educational mission and the students’ personal and intellectual growth.
Baruch students are expected to bear individual responsibility for their work and to uphold the ideal of academic
integrity. Any student who attempts to compromise or devalue the academic process will be sanctioned.”

Additional information can be found at http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/academic/academichonesty.html

MY POLICY is to give a FAILING GRADE to any assignment that has been

plagiarized or an exam in which you have cheated. In addition, I am required
by the College policy to submit a report of suspected academic dishonesty to the
Office of the Dean of Students. This report becomes part of your permanent file.
BARUCH COLLEGE POLICY ON STUDENT DISABILITY SERVICES
Baruch has a continuing commitment to providing reasonable accommodations and the process
for arranging them have been altered by COVID-19 and the safety protocols currently in place.
Students with disabilities who may need some accommodation in order to fully participate in this
class should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible at
disabilityservices@baruch.cuny.edu. All discussions will remain confidential.

For additional information:

http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/facultyhandbook/DisabilitiesInformation.htm l

BBA Program Learning Goals Significant Part Moderate Part Minimal Part Not Part of
of Course of Course of Course Course
Analytical Skills ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐

Technological Skills ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒

Communication Skills: Oral ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐

Communication Skills: Written ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐

Civic Awareness and Ethical Decision- ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐

Making
Global Awareness ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒

ASSIGNMENTS #S CORRELATE TO CLASS SESSION#S

Assignments Course Learning Goals BBA Program Learning Goals

Assignments # 1-2
Using course materials to identify and
critically evaluate issues related to the
American legal system, New York State
courts, and, alternative dispute resolution
systems.
Students respond to problems in these
areas using written essay-format
questions.
Using course materials to identify and
critically assess distinction between legal
and ethical responsibilities of business
*Understand the legal system and Analytical skills
recognize the roles of the legislative,
Civic Awareness and Ethical
executive and judicial branches.
decision-making.
*Understand and recognize the
Communication skills: Oral
differences between legal rules and
ethical concerns in business. Communication skills: Written
*Understand the differences between Ethical decision-making
legal mandates as opposed to ethical and
social responsibilities of business.

Assignments # 4-8
Problems using course materials to
identify, solve legal issues in the areas of
torts, including torts marked by intention,
negligence, strict liability, and product
liability
Analytical skills
Problems using course materials to
identify, solve legal issues in the areas of Communication skills: Oral
torts, including torts marked by intention,
Communication skills: Written
negligence and strict liability
Midterm Exam #1
Written essay format exam on course
materials to assess/assure that students are
current with the course.
Assignments # 11- 14
Using course materials to identify legal
issues in the area of intellectual property,
including patents, trademarks and
copyrights
Using course materials to identify legal
issues in the areas of criminal law.
Assignments # 11- 14
Problems using course materials,
including statutes and case law, to resolve
issues between employers and employees
in the workplace.
Problems using course materials relevant
to specific topics in consumer law
Midterm Exam #2
Written essay format exam on course
materials to assess/assure that students are
current with the course.
Assignment #15- 21
Using course materials to solve, in essay-
format answers, problems in specific
contracts law topics.
*Mastery of legal concepts in the Analytical skills
American legal system, business ethics,
Communication skills: Written
tort law and product liability.
*Application of law (statutes and case
law) to hypothetical business problems.
*Understand and recognize legal issues Analytical skills
pertinent to intellectual property.
Communication skills: Oral
Communication skills: Written
Problems using course materials to
Ethical decision-making
identify, solve legal issues in the area
of criminal law including business
crimes.
*Analyze problems impacting Analytical skills
employers/employees and legal issues
Communication skills: Oral
associated with the workplace.
Communication skills: Written
*Recognition of differences that exist in
legal and ethical responsibilities in the Ethical decision-making
work environment.
*Identification of legal issues impacting
the consumer under federal law.
*Recognition of differences between
legal, ethical and social responsibilities of
business.
*Mastery of legal concepts in intellectual Analytical skills
property, business crimes, employment
Communication skills: Written
discrimination and consumer.- law.
*Application of law (statutes and case
law) to hypothetical business problems.
*Recognition and Identification of legal Analytical skills
issues in business contracts.
Communication skills: Oral
*Application of legal rules, statutes and
Communication skills: Written
case law to business problems.
Ethical Decision Making
*Consideration of factors a
 businessperson should consider in
deciding upon a course of action.

Final Exam
*Mastery of legal concepts in business Analytical skills
contracts law.
Communication skills: Written
*Application of law (statutes and case
law) to hypothetical business problems.