MGT 305 Business Law I

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: The nature, structure, and process of our legal system.  Representative topics include courts, business and its global legal environment, the court system, alternative dispute resolution, business ethics, constitutional law, administrative law, international law, torts and strict liability, torts and crimes related to business, contracts, business organization, consumer protection law, and environmental law.

REQUIRED TEXTS: Cross, Frank B. & Roger LeRoy Miller. West’s Legal Environment of Business. 10th ed. Cincinnati: West Legal Studies in Business. 2015.  ISBN-13: 978-1305967304

PREREQUISITES: None

TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES: The principal vehicles for exploring the content of this course will be independent readings, discussion, critical thinking (Using the Socratic Method), case analysis, and class discussion post.  Because of this choice of approach, a high degree of commitment is necessary to assure effective learning outcomes.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: In order to expose business students to the critical relationship between business and law, this course acquaints students with fundamental concepts and principles of law that may concern them in their day-to-day business activities. Specifically, the objectives are:

  1. To familiarize the student with legal language and concepts.
  2. To increase the student understanding of the legal system and how it functions.
  3. To develop the student’s appreciation of the legal environment in which businesses and individuals must operate.
  4. To expose the student to legal reasoning and develop his/her ability to apply legal concepts to various factual situations.
  5. To encourage the student to do critical thinking of the legal and ethical implications present in business and personal activities.
  6. To further develop the student’s research techniques, writing ability, and presentation skills.

STUDENT COMPETENCIES: This course satisfies Hampton University competencies: 1. Critical Thinking, 2. Ethics, 4. Information and Technology Literacy, 5. Oral Communication, 8. Written Communication; School of Business competencies: 1. Business Theories; 2. Law and Ethics; 3. Global; 4. Decision Making; 5. Written Communication; 6. Oral Communication; 7. Critical Thinking; 10. Technical Skills; and Management program competencies: 1. Problem-Solving, 2. Decision-Making, 3. Innovate, 4. Manage Change, 5. Workplace Competencies, and 6. Graduate School

In addition, at the end of this course, students should be able to meet the following course competencies:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of traditional common law and legal terminology, the court system, and the legal environment of business.
  2. Produce a research paper using current events, legal resources, citation, structure, and methodology.
  3. Engage in basic legal analysis, reasoning, argument and critical thinking in both oral and written communication.
  4. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.

Engage in reflective thought on the ethical and legal implications of business decisions.