COURSES

01503/Legal Studies

C001. Law in Society (3 s.h.) F S SS Core: IN

The American legal system affects each of us on a daily basis. Educated citizens, no matter what career path they may choose, should be aware of the ways in which the law can impact on their lives. This survey course introduces students to the essential aspects of law: its sources, organization, and evolution. They will learn the basic elements of constitutional, contract, criminal, tort, and administrative law. The political, social, and economic forces that affect change are also discussed thereby providing guidance as to the future direction of the law. This course satisfies the Core requirement for the Individual in Society.

R050. Racial Discrimination under the Law (3 s.h.) F S SS Core: AC.

(Formerly Race and the Law.)

As we move forward into the new millennium, the racial diversity of our society requires an appreciation and understanding of the perspectives of people of different racial backgrounds. This course will explore a variety of issues involving the intersection of race and the law from the types of discrimination to affirmative action. By using the history of African Americans in the United States as a background, students will learn the basis of current anti-discrimination laws and they will review statutes and cases that deal with race in the areas of business and real estate. This course fulfills two Core requirements: Studies in Race and American Culture.

H091. Law in Society - Honors (3 s.h.) FS Core: IN

Prerequisite: Open only to designated business honors students or with permission.

The American legal system affects each of us on a daily basis. Educated citizens, no matter what career path they may choose, should be aware of the ways in which the law can impact on their lives. This survey course introduces students to the essential aspects of law: its sources, organization, and evolution. They will learn the basic elements of constitutional, contract, criminal, tort, and administrative law. The political, social and economic forces that affect change are also discussed thereby providing guidance as to the future direction of the law. This course satisfies the Core requirement for the Individual in Society. The class may be used to fulfill the law requirement of the Fox School of Business and Management and it is the honors section of Law C001.

X093. Tobacco In America (3 s.h.) S Core: AC

This honors course takes an interdisciplinary study of the tobacco industry in the United States from the perspectives of history, political science, culture studies, economics, marketing, law and ethics. Students will be encouraged to understand the tobacco industry from multiple perspectives - a process that should enable them to better appreciate the connections between all their business studies to the society and the global society they inhabit.

0101. Law of Contracts (3 s.h.) FS SS

(Formerly Law of Contractual Obligations.)

When you buy a car, rent an apartment, or take out insurance, you are entering into a contract. Whether as consumers or business professionals, our lives are frequently affected by our agreements with others. In this course, students will learn the basics of contract law including how contracts are negotiated and created, how they are enforced, and what happens when contractual promises are broken. Using the case method, students will also become familiar with the relevant portions of the Uniform Commercial Code that deal with the sale of goods, products, and services.

0103. Law for the Entrepreneur (3 s.h.) FS

(Formerly Law of Business Associations.)

Whether you plan to start a business or to join one, this course will provide the basics of what you need to know. It will explore the legal issues involved in starting and operating a business and will cover how to form, operate and dissolve such entities as a sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation. The course will also deal with agency and creditor rights providing the entrepreneur with a basic understanding of the legal environment in which businesses operate.

0104. The Consumer and the Law (3 s.h.) FS

(Formerly Advanced Legal Studies.)

Good people can suffer bad credit, traffic accidents, problems with a landlord, the pain of a divorce, or the death of a family member. This practical course will explore the legal issues that an individual may encounter in everyday life and will offer real solutions to those problems. Topics will include the consumer protection laws dealing with collection practices, loans and credit cards, landlord-tenant relationships, the purchase of a home, traffic law issues, bankruptcy, wills, divorce and insurance.

0105. Sports and the Law (3 s.h.) S

The sports industry is a multi-billion dollar enterprise where athletes command millions of dollars in salaries and sports enthusiasts spend countless hours following their favorite teams. This course will explore the landmark decisions and social environment, which has transformed these games of fun into a very powerful industry enjoying special protection under the law. Topics will include sports franchise rights, league issues, antitrust laws, sports agents, injuries to athletes, intercollegiate sports, collective bargaining issues, the powers of the Commissioner and gender equity.

0106. International Law (3 s.h.) FS SS

(Formerly Law and Multinational Business.)

Fifty percent of the net profits of most large corporations are generated through international transactions. This course will explore the legal considerations that apply to U.S. businesses abroad and will explore issues of contract negotiations, enforcement of judgements, international conventions, sovereign immunity, and current multinational business issues such as dumping, products liability, and patents and copyrights.

0107. Constitutional Law (3 s.h.) S

(Formerly The Constitution and Business.)

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land and establishes our fundamental rights against unreasonable government intrusion. This course will explore how the constitution and the various court decisions interpreting this historic document have affected the political, social, and economic factors which shape our lives and business development.

0108. Law, Technology and E-Commerce (3 s.h.) S

(Formerly Ideas, Computers, and Law.)

New technology has revolutionized the way we do business—from electronic banking to Internet commerce—and has raised a host of new legal issues. This course will increase a student’s awareness of the rights and problems which arise with the development of new products and services. Topics include trade secrets, patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Special attention will be devoted to the legal protection and unique problems faced by the computer industry in the development of new products and on-line services.

0109 Law and Ethics in Business (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Law C001.

Law and moral philosophy intersect and diverge in a variety of ways. In this course, students look at a set of contemporary business issues—sexual harassment, affirmative action, drug testing, whistle blowing, insider trading, privacy in the workplace, and environmental safety—in terms of both law and ethics. Through interdisciplinary study, students will ascertain their own ethical positions, and consider whether the American legal system reflects what society might agree upon as a shared morality.

W109. Law and Ethics in Business (3 s.h.) Core: WI

Prerequisite: Law C001.

0110. Business Law for Accountants (3 s.h.) FS SS

The legal environment in which businesses operate requires the accounting professional to possess a basic understanding of the law. The course is designed to provide an overview of the legal topics that Certified Public Accountants and other accounting professionals need in their practices. The course will also satisfy the requirements of the Pennsylvania CPA statute which requires a course in business law. Topics will include the law of Contracts, Business Organizations, the Uniform Commercial Code, Government Regulations, and Debtor/Creditor relationships.

0111. The Litigation Process (3 s.h.) F

We live in a litigious society in which lawsuits have become the accepted way of resolving conflicts in both a business and personal setting. This course will provide an overview of the litigation process and the types of remedies available to those who sue. Topics include the federal and state court systems, the art of negotiation, the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Rules of Evidence. Problems involving the law of contracts and torts will be applied to various fact patterns demonstrating how a case progresses through the pleadings, discovery, and trial itself. Attention will also be devoted to alternative ways of resolving disputes such as mediation and arbitration.

W112. Legal Research, Writing, and Advocacy (3 s.h.) S

Whether you plan to be an entrepreneur, lawyer, or paralegal, legal research, writing, and advocacy skills will give you a competitive edge. This course will provide an introduction on how to conduct legal research and how to analyze that research in order to solve legal problems. Using the law library and the Internet, students will learn how to locate federal and state court decisions, statutes and regulations. Through a hands-on approach, students will update the law, analyze their findings and argue their case.

X199. Law and Ethics in Business - Honors (3 s.h.)

See course description for Law 0109.

0394. Special Topics (3 s.h.)

Special topics in current developments in the field of business law.

0395 - 0396. Independent Study (1 - 6 s.h.) FS SS

Prerequisite: Consultation with faculty member and approval of department chairperson.

This course is limited to Legal Studies majors and requires the approval of the Department Chair with the sponsorship of a faculty member from the Department. The course requires a comprehensive legal analysis of a legal topic that culminates in the writing of a substantial research paper.