The University of Texas at Dallas

Business and Public Law

BA 2301.501 - Spring 2006

Instructor: David C. Boyd, JD, MBA

Mobile Phone: (214) 923-0961 E-mail: boyd.david@utdallas.edu

Office: SOM 4.228 Office Hours: Mon 6:00 – 6:55 p.m.

Course Objectives

A. Promote Use of Critical Thinking

To develop the student’s ability to understand and apply legal concepts that influence the
daily lives and decisions of individuals and businesses. With this in mind, the course will
concentrate on the following areas:

1. Legal Environments in Business

2. Ethics in Business
3. Business Torts and Crimes
4. Contracts
5. Sales
6. Negotiable Instruments
7. Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy
8. Agency and Employment
9. Business Organizations
10. Property

B. Foster Understanding of Ethical Considerations Involved in Legal Issues

To develop the student’s understanding of the ethical aspects of legal issues that confront
individuals and businesses on a day-to-day basis.

C. Enhance Communication Skills

To enhance the student’s ability to clearly and respectfully express thoughts and
persuasively advocate perspectives through class discussion and participation.

Required Course Materials

The course textbook is Clarkson/Miller/Jentz/Cross, West’s Business Law, West Publishing

Company, 9th Edition.
 Course Grading

Three Exams (75 points each) 225

Writing Assignment (25 points) 25
Maximum Attainable Points 250

A+ 243 – 250
A 232 – 242
A- 225 – 231
B+ 218 – 224
B 207 - 217
B- 200 - 206
C+ 193 - 199
C 182 - 192
C- 175 - 181
D+ 168 - 174
D 149 - 167
F 000 – 148

Examination Policy

Exams will test the student’s knowledge of both assigned readings and classroom discussions.
Each exam will consist of 45 multiple choice and 30 true/false questions. Each question shall be
equally weighted. Exams will begin promptly at 7:15 p.m. and a student will have until 9:15
p.m. to complete the exam regardless of arrival time. Any student arriving after the first student
has exited the classroom will not be permitted to sit for the exam. Failure to bring a Scantron
Form No. 882-E to any exam will result in a 5 point penalty.

Any student who fails to take an exam by the date and time scheduled will receive a zero score
for that exam unless the student gives prior notice to the instructor and can prove good cause.
Good cause is an extreme circumstance that prevents attendance, was unforeseeable, is beyond
the student’s control, and is verifiable through independent documentation or corroboration. If
good cause and prior notice are established to the satisfaction of the instructor, a make-up exam
will be provided to the student. Any make-up exam will necessarily be drafted so as to offset the
inherent advantages available to a student taking an untimely exam. A make-up exam may
include, at the discretion of the instructor, question types other than multiple choice and
true/false.

Attendance and Participation

Students are expected to prepare for, attend, and participate in the classroom discussions. The
course is designed to challenge the student to think critically and objectively, and such abilities
are best developed by engaging others. Further, the content of classroom discussion will
oftentimes extend beyond the outlined reading assignments, and such additional content is
 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’
Rules 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

Date Reading Assignment Comments and Adjustments

09-Jan Introduction, Chapters 1, 2, 42
16-Jan Holiday – No Class
23-Jan Chapters 3, 4, 53, Appendix A-5
30-Jan Chapters 5, 6, 8
06-Feb Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12
13-Feb Chapters 13, 14, 16, 17
20-Feb Exam
27-Feb Chapters 19, 20, 21 Peruse Appendix A-14
06-Mar Spring Break – No Class
13-Mar Chapters 24, 25, 26
20-Mar Chapters 28, 29, 30
27-Mar Exam
03-Apr Chapters 31, 33, 34
10-Apr Chapters 35, 36, 37, 41 Writing Assignment is due
17-Apr Chapters 47, 48
24-Apr Exam