University of Maryland University College – Europe
BMGT 381 – SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE: Business Law II
TERM: Fall Session II, 2009 Mondays & Wednesdays 2000-2245
EDUCATION CENTER: Kadena Air Base
FACULTY MEMBER: Robert A. Walker, J.D., LL.M. (email: rwalker10@gmail.com)
COURSE MATERIALS: Miller & Jentz, Business Law Today, 8th Ed. (previous editions acceptable), Thompson West Legal Publishing. Other handouts supplied or made available. (Note the text is used for
both Business Law I and II).
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Strongly recommended for students seeking careers in finance and management or as CPAs or lawyers. Fulfills the civic responsibility requirement. Further in-depth
conceptual and functional analysis and application of legal principles relevant to the conduct and
understanding of commercial business transactions. Topics include personal and real property; bailments;
wills, trusts, and estates; government regulations affecting employment and marketing; negotiable
instruments; debtor/creditor relationships; and bankruptcy and reorganization. Salient legal aspects of
international business are also discussed.
PRE-REQUISITES: BMGT 380, Business Law I.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: After completing this course, you should be able to:
? Define relevant legal concepts and explain their applications to both commercial and international
business transactions including property ownership, marketing, employment, and financial
management
? Demonstrate an understanding of important workplace issues and regulations impacting employee
rights, competition, consumer protection and the environment.
? Identify the elements in the creation and transfer of valid negotiable instruments, the perfection of
security interests, debt liquidation and reorganization.
? Apply critical thinking, analytic, communication and team building skills through group assignments,
case analysis, problem solving, research, presentations and discussions.
? Develop applicable skills and knowledge in the relevant cross curricular initiatives including
effective writing, information literacy, globalization, computerization, historical perspective, and
civic responsibility.
CASE STUDY METHOD: Participants are expected to analyze (“brief”) cases as set forth in the text or distributed in class. In each class session, one or more students will be called on to explain his or her
understanding of a case; that is, to explain the legal issue or issues in dispute, the court’s ruling and analysis,
and the court’s conclusion and holding. Briefing cases, for the beginner, is difficult. Thus, no one is
expected to be a legal expert. It is more important that each participant try to understand the process and
methodology.
COURSE FORMAT: Classes will consist of lectures and discussion of the issues and topics covered in the assigned reading. The text presents the various “rules” of law and their historic, economic, or philosophical
background. Cases are used to illustrate how those rules apply to the given facts of a particular situation.
ADMINISTRATION AND GRADING: Completing the reading assignment is an absolute necessity. It is
essential that participants prepare proper notes for their reading, class lectures, and assigned cases. Adequate preparation is the only way for a student to keep up with the very fast pace of this course.
GRADING INFORMATION AND CRITERIA: GRADING SCALE:
A = 90 - 100
Project/Assignment 20% of final grade B = 80 - 89
Midterm 40% of final grade C = 70 - 79
Final 40% of final grade D = 60 - 69
F = 0 - 59
ACADEMCIC POLICIES: Cases of plagiarism are handled in accordance with current UMUC guidelines.
See UMUC policies at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/
Make-up exams will only be given for bona-fide military excused absences and verified emergencies. UMUC policies relating to grades, exams, writing standards, and conduct are all expected.
COURSE SCHEDULE: (this schedule has been modified to include make-ups due to re-scheduling)
Date Subject Matter Assignment
Monday, March 23 Introduction to Business Law II
Negotiability & Transferability Chapter 19
Wednesday, March 25 Rights & Liabilities of Parties Chapter 20
Checks and Banking in the Digital Age Chapter 21
Monday, March 30 Security Interests in Personal Property Chapter 22
Wednesday, April 1 Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Chapter 23
Friday, April 3 (Make-up Session) Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Chapter 23 Monday, April 6 Agency Relationships in Business Chapter 24
Sole Proprietorships & Private Franchises Chapter 25
Partnerships Chapter 26
Limited Liability Companies & Special Business Forms Chapter 27
Wednesday, April 8 Corporation Formation, Merger, and Termination Chapter 28
Corporate Directors, Officers, and Shareholders Chapter 29
Investor Protection, Insider Trading, and Corporate
Governance Chapter 30
Monday, April 13 MID TERM EXAM Comprehensive
Wednesday, April 15 Promoting Competition in a Global Context Chapter 31
Consumer Law Chapter 32
Monday, April 20 Environmental Law Chapter 32
Labor Law Chapter 33
Wednesday, April 22 Employment Law Chapter 33
Employment Discrimination Chapter 34
Monday, April 27 Liability of Accountants and Other Professionals Chapter 35
Personal Property and Bailments Chapter 36
Wednesday, April 29 Real Property and Landlord-Tenant Law Chapter 37
Insurance, Wills and Trusts Chapter 38
Monday, May 4 Insurance, Wills and Trusts Chapter 38
International Law in a Global Economy Chapter 39
Wednesday, May 6 FINAL EXAM Comprehensive