The University of Texas at Dallas

Business and Public Law

BA 2301.001 – Spring 2006

Instructor: Cynthia Camuel, JD, LL.M

Office Phone: 972-308-7602 Home Phone: 972-867-1665

E-mail: Please use WebCT for class related e-mail)

Office Hours: BY APPOINTMENT

Course Objectives
Use of Critical Thinking:

Understand and apply legal concepts that influence the lives and decisions of individuals
and businesses on a day-to-day basis. The course will concentrate on the following
areas:
1. The legal environment and Business
2. E-commerce
3. Contract law
4. Sales law
5. Negotiable Instruments
6. Business Organizations
7. Labor and Employment Relations
8. Property

Understanding Ethical Considerations Involved in Legal Issues:

Understand the ethical issues involving legal topics that confront both individuals and
businesses on a day-to-day basis.

Enhancement of Communication Skills:

By class participation and discussion, students, communication skills will be improved.

Grading System
Maximum Points
1. Four Tests (100 points) 400
2. Class Participation/Attendance 50
3. Research Assignments (two for 25 each) 50
TOTAL POINTS 500

(Occasionally, depending on time constraints in class, the students may be offered the
opportunity to do an additional project for extra credit.)
Class Participation/Attendance:

Students should read the assigned chapters and review the problems at the end of the
chapters prior to class and participate in class discussion. In addition to the 50 points for
attendance, the final grade for the course may be enhanced as a result of class
participation. An attendance sign-in sheet will distributed each class. It is the
responsible of each student to sign-in during each class. Credit for attendance will not be
given if the attendance sheet is not signed. Signing the attendance on behalf of another
student is considered an act of scholastic dishonesty and students who commit this act
are subject to disciplinary penalties,

Research Assignment:

Research topics will be posted on WebCT under Business and Public Law – for our
class. Each assignment has a value of 25 points. Information concerning the research
assignment may to found by accessing the on-line Lexis database. This database can
ONLY be accessed from UTD’s computer labs or if off campus via UTD’s Pipeline. The
projects are due as indicated on the schedule below. There will be a two point
deduction for each day a project is late.

Tests:

Each test will be comprised of approximately 25 true/false and 25 multiple-choice

questions of equal value. Each test will require a Scantron Form 882. It is the
responsibility of each student to provide the required Scantron form. If the required
Scantron is not submitted, there will be a deduction of 10 points from the
student’s grade.
General Information

1. Required Material
Clarkson/Miller/Jentz/Cross, West’s Business Law, West
Publishing Company, 9th Edition.

2. Make-up policy:

Only for very compelling reasons will a make-up test be allowed.

3. University Policy on Cheating:

Students are expected to be above reproach in all scholastic activities. Students

who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties,
including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the
University. "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating,
plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are
attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for
another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the
attempt to commit such acts." Regents' Rule and Regulations, Part One, Chapter
VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22.

Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and

the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly
enforced.
 Class Schedule (Subject to Revision)
Business and Public Law - B.A. 2301.001
Date Chapters Comments
1-9-06 Intro & Chapters 1
1-11 Chapters 2, 3
1-16 No Class! MLK Day. School holiday!
1-18 Chapter 4
1-23 Chapter 5
1-25 Chapters 6, 8
1-30 Test 1 Chapters 1- 6, 8
2-1 Chapters 9, 10
2-6 Chapters 11, 12 1st Project Due
2-8 Chapters 13, 14
2-13 Chapters 16
2-15 Chapter 17
2-20 Test 2 Chapters 9-14, 16, 17
2-22 Chapters 19, 20
2-27 Chapters 20, 21
3-1 Chapter 22, 23
3-6, No Class! Spring break. School holiday!
3-8
3-13 Chapter 24
3-15 Chapter 25
3-20 Chapters 26, 27 2nd Project Due
3-22 Chapters 28, 31
3/27 Test 3 Chapters 19 – 28, 31
3-29 Chapters 33, 34
4-3 Chapters 35, 36
4-5 Chapters 37, 38
4-10 Chapters 38, 41
4-12 Chapter 42
4-17 Chapter 47
4-19 Chapter 48, 51
4-24 Test #4 (Final) Chapters 33 – 38, 41, 42, 47, 48, 51
 Grading Scale (%)
Grade From To
A+ 97 100
A 92 96
A- 88 91
B+ 85 87
B 82 84
B- 78 81
C+ 75 77
C 72 74
C- 68 71
D+ 65 67
D 62 64
D- 58 61
F -0- 57