PLEASE REFER TO SYLLABUS FOR DISCUSSION INSTRUCTIONS.
Until 1677 and the creation of the Statute of Frauds in England, all contracts could be either written or oral and yet be equally binding on the parties. After 1677, the law required certain types of contracts (such as contracts to buy or sell land) to be both made in writing and executed with the physical signatures of all of the parties involved. At any time thereafter, either party could challenge authenticity of the physical signature of his/her own handwriting or the handwriting of the other party. Recently, with the increase of eCommerce, electronic signature (non-physical) has become as equally binding as the physical signature with severe limitation allowed in challenging the authenticity. Has this developed out of necessity, or have we simply moved too far with the law accommodating the digital age?
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Saint Leo University
GBA 231
Business Law I
Course Description:
The U.S legal system (constitutional framework), the judicial system, the administrative agency system,
the legal theory of the organization (agency law, forms of organization), an organization’s legal obligations
(torts, contracts, common law, and the Uniform Commercial Code), and public law (employment,
securities, antitrust, consumer and environmental protection) are reviewed.
Prerequisite:
ENG 122
Textbooks:
The textbook information which appears on our Saint Leo Bookstore ordering site is as
follows:
Business Law (Custom) (0232, 2048). ISBN: 9780134735207
Your custom textbook was created from the following National text(s):
Business Law: Cheeseman, H. R. (2019). Business law: legal environment, online commerce,
business
ethics, and international issues (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson. ISBN: 9780134729060
You will access the eBook via a link in the Start Here menu where you can purchase the print upgrade
option.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Explain the origins of law and the roles of the courts in the United States.
2. Distinguish between civil and criminal law content, purpose, and the participants.
3. Define and distinguish between business organizations.
4. Classify and explain the various contract elements and the necessary elements of a contract and the
Statute of Fraud.
5. Distinguish between personal property and real property.
6. Distinguish the essentials of business contract law.
7. Explain and integrate the Core Values of Respect, Integrity, and Community as they relate to legal
issues.
Learning
Outcome
Assessment Method(s)
1 Test question
2 Test question
3 Test question
4 Test question
5 Test question
6 Test question
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Core Value:
Community: Saint Leo University develops hospitable Christian learning communities everywhere we
serve. We foster a spirit of belonging, unity, and interdependence based on mutual trust and respect to
create socially responsible environments that challenge all of us to listen, to learn, to change, and to
serve.
Respect: Animated in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we value all individuals’ unique talents, respect their
dignity and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in our work. Our community’s strength depends
on the unity and diversity of our people, on the free exchange of ideas and on learning, living, and
working harmoniously.
Integrity: The commitment of Saint Leo University to excellence demands that its members live its mission
and deliver on its promise. The faculty, staff, and students pledge to be honest, just, and consistent in
word and deed.
Evaluation:
Quizzes/Tests 40%
Discussion 24%
Term Paper 36%
Module Quizzes/Tests:
Each module contains a quiz consisting of seven (7) multiple-choice questions and a short-essay test
containing seven (7) essay questions that require critical thinking. Material for the quizzes and tests will
come from the online modules and textbook readings. Complete each quiz and test no later than
Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT in which they are due.
Discussion:
Participation in class discussions is expected to be thoughtful and well-informed. For each module,
respond to a discussion question posted by the instructor no later than Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT of
the respective module. Finally, post responses to at least two classmates no later than Sunday 11:59
PM EST/EDT.
Term Paper:
Review all materials in Chapter 52 and conduct research on the United States Supreme Court case of
Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, 497 U.S. 261 (1990). The full text of this case,
along with numerous case briefs, commentaries, summaries, etc., may be found by simply entering the
full name of the case into any major online search engine of your choosing. Alternatively, you may use
Westlaw, Lexis or any other professional legal research databank in your research, however, use of such
is not required. Following your research, review the following questions:
• What was the ultimate numerical vote of the court?
• When and how can life support be withdrawn?
• How does death by refusal of treatment differ from suicide?
• How does a living will work and when does it become of legal effect?
• What is a health care directive and how does it work?
After completing your research, summarize your answers, and, along with any other sources, if any,
address and support your particular position/view on the following specific issues, and, specifically, how
you would apply the Saint Leo University Core Values of Community, Respect, and Integrity into your
actions. Be sure to use proper APA format for citations.
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1. What are the potential foreseeable financial, psychological, and medical, yet unintended, harmful
consequences to one’s family and friends in failing to provide a properly executed will and living will prior
to one’s final illness and death?
2. What are the fundamental distinctions between recuperative medical care and palliative care? Who
should be included in the decision to modify care from recuperative to palliative? When, if ever, is the
right to refuse any and all medical care appropriate when such virtually ensures the death of the patient?
3. What professionals, medical or otherwise, should be involved in advising decisions concerning end-of-
life wishes? How does euthanasia differ from a simple cessation of treatment? Who should make end of
life decisions for those who are without a family member to take on such a role?
4. What measures can be taken to ensure the quality of ongoing family and social relationships,
individually and as a group, to end-of-life patients? What pitfalls are to be avoided in ensuring
maintenance of these relationships? What actions may be taken to ensure the spiritual and existential
dimensions of the process are respected and integrated?
You must submit this assignment as a Word document to Chalk and Wire no later than Sunday 11:59 PM
EST/EDT. Submit the Term Paper to Chalk and Wire using the link in the Module 8 folder. Students that
do not submit the assignment timely into Chalk and Wire (without just cause), before Sunday 11:59 PM,
shall incur a full letter grade penalty for each day the assignment remains unsubmitted. This is a key
program assessment; the results are used to ensure students are meeting program goals. Video and PDF
instructions can be found on the course home page. PDF instructions are also located in the Start Here
folder.
Click here to access the Grading Rubric for this assignment.
Grading Scale:
Grade Score (%)
A 94-100
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
B 84-86
B- 80-83
C+ 77-79
C 74-76
C- 70-73
D+ 67-69
D 60-66
F 0-59
https://mediaweb.saintleo.edu/courses/gba231/sp1_2016/grading_rubric
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Course Schedule:
Module 1 The United States Court System/Personal Property
Objectives: After completing this module, you should be able to:
▪ Define the Federal Court System.
▪ Differentiate between trial and appellate courts.
▪ Distinguish general and limited jurisdiction.
▪ Distinguish between the inter vivos gift, gift causa mortis, and lost and
abandoned property.
▪ Define bailment.
▪ List the two requirements of bailment; agreement and accepted delivery.
▪ Describe the responsibilities of the bailor and the bailee.
▪ Define the parties in the court system.
▪ Distinguish between procedural and substantive law.
Readings: Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 47
Assignments:
Items to be Completed Due No Later Than
Post introduction to Discussion Board Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Read the assigned materials
Post initial response to the discussion question Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Post responses to at least two classmates Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Quiz 1 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Short Essay Test 1 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Module 2 The United States Court System and Real Property
Objectives: After completing this module, you should be able to:
▪ Define the Bill of Rights.
▪ Differentiate between Quit Claim and Warranty Deeds.
▪ Distinguish the primary separation of powers.
▪ Explain the Supremacy and Commerce Clauses.
▪ Define real property.
▪ Set forth constitutional limitations to real property interests.
Readings: Chapter 4
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Assignments:
Items to be Completed Due No Later Than
Read the assigned materials
Post initial response to the discussion question Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Post responses to at least two classmates Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Quiz 2 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Short Essay Test 2 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
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Module 3 Contract Formation
Objectives: After completing this module, you should be able to:
▪ Distinguish between the bilateral and unilateral contract.
▪ Differentiate between the valid, void, and voidable contract.
▪ Distinguish the express contract from the implied contract.
▪ Explain the distinctions of the executed and executory contracts.
▪ Define consideration for contract.
▪ Set forth the capacity requirements for all persons seeking to enter into a
contract.
Readings: Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Assignments:
Items to be Completed Due No Later Than
Read the assigned materials
Post initial response to the discussion question Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Post responses to at least two classmates Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Quiz 3 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Short Essay Test 3 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Module 4 Contract Enforcement ad Remedies
Objectives: After completing this module, you should be able to:
▪ Distinguish between Compensatory, Liquidated, and Nominal damages.
▪ Apply the Parole Evidence Rule to the Law of Contracts.
▪ Distinguish the Uniform Commercial Code form ancient contract law.
▪ Explain where the Statute of Frauds requires a contract to be in writing.
▪ Define contracts that are also covenants.
▪ Set forth the remedies for the breach of contract.
Readings: Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Assignments:
Items to be Completed Due No Later Than
Read the assigned materials
Post initial response to the discussion question Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Post responses to at least two classmates Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Quiz 4 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Short Essay Test 4 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
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Module 5 Employment Law and Equal Opportunity
Objectives: After completing this module, you should be able to:
▪ Distinguish lawful collective bargaining from unlawful bargaining acts.
▪ Set forth how the Fair Labor Standards Act leveled the playing field.
▪ Define when a business is subject to the Family Medical Leave Act.
▪ Enumerate the powers of OSHA.
▪ Define the protected classes of the EEOC through the Civil Rights Act of
1964.
▪ Set forth the remedies for the breach of these Acts.
Readings: Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Assignments:
Items to be Completed Due No Later Than
Read the assigned materials
Post initial response to the discussion question Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Post responses to at least two classmates Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Quiz 5 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Short Essay Test 5 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Module 6 Business Organizations
Objectives: After completing this module, you should be able to:
▪ Distinguish between the business entities of the sole proprietorship, the
partnership, and the corporation.
▪ Set forth how each model is created and governed.
▪ Distinguish the general partnership from the limited partnership.
▪ Explain the inherent strength and weaknesses of each type of business
entity.
▪ Define the means of corporate formation and financing.
Readings: Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Assignments:
Items to be Completed Due No Later Than
Read the assigned materials
Post initial response to the discussion question Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Post responses to at least two classmates Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Quiz 6 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Short Essay Test 6 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
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Module 7 Administrative Law
Objectives: After completing this module, you should be able to:
▪ Distinguish between regulatory agencies and administrative agencies.
▪ Set forth the process by which a federal or state agency is created.
▪ Define the limits of the regulatory powers of agencies.
▪ Enumerate the powers of agency rule-making.
▪ Define the parameters of judicial review of agencies.
▪ Set forth the remedies for the overreaching of agency powers.
Readings: Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Assignments:
Items to be Completed Due No Later Than
Read the assigned materials
Post initial response to the discussion question Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Post responses to at least two classmates Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Quiz 7 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Short Essay Test 7 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Module 8 Wills and Estates
Outcomes: After completing this module, you should be able to:
▪ Distinguish between wills, living wills, and trusts.
▪ Set forth the process by which a legally sufficient will is created.
▪ Define the limits of the living will and health care directives.
▪ Enumerate the powers of the probate court in final disposition.
▪ Define the parameters of judicial review of agencies.
▪ Set forth the distinctions in the testamentary trust and inter vivos trust.
Readings: Chapter 52
Assignments:
Items to be Completed Due No Later Than
Read the assigned materials
Post initial response to the discussion question Thursday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Post responses to at least two classmates Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Submit Term Paper Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Quiz 8 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Complete Short Essay Test 8 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
Submit Term Paper Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT
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