Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
We will address the basic aspects of the state and the federal legal system as well as the basics of creating a contract. Prior knowledge would be helpful for a head start, but not necessary.
Course Materials
Textbook: Dynamic Business Law, 5th Edition, Kubasek, Browne, Herron, Dhooge, Barkacs.
You can purchase the electronic version of the assigned text. It comes with an array of online study tools, including Connect. I will set up several Connect worksheets for you to complete throughout the semester.
Course Objectives
The activities, content, and assignments in this course will help you be able to do the following:
- Describe the basics of the United States' court system, including when, how and where a person can sue or be sued, and successfully apply the material to relevant fact patterns.
- Distinguish between the common law of contracting and contracts governed by the Uniform Commercial Code for the commercial sale of goods and apply the appropriate system to a given set of fact patterns.
- Determine (and explain) how contract terms can affect one’s title, risk of loss, and insurable interests.
- Identify the parties’ obligations to a contract and what remedies are available if one party breaches their obligation, including when additional warranties are made.
- Describe how to transfer the right to payment through negotiable instruments.
- Recognize when a debt is secured by collateral and successfully defend the rights and advocate for remedies of a secured creditor when a debtor fails to pay or files for bankruptcy with respect to specific fact patterns.
- Use basic legal vocabulary accurately and appropriately in class discussions and application to fact patterns.
Grades
Breakdown
All times in the table below refer to Central Time.
| Activity | Description | Date | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Participation |
|
|
11% |
Homework |
Weekly assignments (Graded as either 100%, 75%, or 0) |
Due Thursdays 11:59 pm |
22% |
Connect Worksheets |
7-10 Connect Assignments |
Due Fridays 11:59 pm – assigned at various points throughout the class |
9% |
Quizzes |
Five quizzes |
Due Fridays 11:59 pm |
18% |
Midterm Exam |
120-minute time limit. Multiple formats. |
Due Tuesday 10:00 pm |
18% |
Final Exam |
120-minute time limit. Multiple formats. |
Due Tuesday 10:00 pm |
22% |
Total |
100% |
Scale
| Letter Grade | Percentage of Total Points |
|---|---|
| A | 90-100% |
| B | 80-89% |
| C | 70-79% |
| D | 60-69% |
| F | below 60% |
Course Components
Participation
To get the most out of this class, you must be actively engaged in the learning process. Your engagement should include (1) reading and thinking about the material before coming to class (2) participating in the virtual Live Sessions, and (3) interacting with your fellow classmates.
You will demonstrate that you have read and thought about the material by submitting two original questions each week that you would like me to discuss during the Live Session. These questions should relate to the week's assigned learning materials.
There are two ways in which you can earn participation points for the Live Session: (1) Participate in real-time and self-report your attendance by logging in through Canvas or if you are unable to join the session you can (2) watch a recording of the Live Session and submit a makeup activity.
You should also be prepared to interact with your classmates. I will also assign you to a team at the beginning of the term. Teams will take turns leading discussions of cases during our Live Sessions. Your group may also be expected to answer additional questions about the learning material. If your schedule prevents you from attending any of the Live Sessions in real time, please let me know ASAP. I will provide you with an alternative.
Finally, you can earn participation points by working with your group member(s) to collaboratively create Study Guides for a particular module. Each Study Guide will feature the following: an outline, a glossary of key terms, case brief(s), study questions, and a summary of top takeaways. These Study Guides will be exchanged with other groups before the mid-term and final to help you prepare for these exams.
Homework
Homework is designed to assess how well you are able to analyze what you have learned from the chapter (and other assigned learning materials) and apply it to a given set of facts. Further, homework exercises enable you (and me) to spot any points that are not yet fully understood.
To do well on the exams in this course, it is essential that you understand the homework assignments. You may discuss the homework problems and approaches to answering them with your classmates. However, you are expected to work independently in the actual composition of your work. For instance, if two (or more) homework answers have the same errors, it will be assumed that work was not done independently and therefore represents an honor code violation. In such cases, I will take appropriate action and report the violation.
Homework will receive one of three grades:
- 100%: for students who complete 70% of assignments correctly
- 75%: for students who make a good attempt at assignments
- 0%: given if an assignment is not turned in on time
Homework will be due the Thursday after the Live Session. Time-permitting, I will allow you to complete the Homework with your Team during the Live Lecture. This is a great opportunity to get feedback on particularly difficult questions from both your teammates and me. If you complete the homework during class, I encourage you to turn it in at that time.
Quizzes
Periodically, quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Each will be worth 20 points. The content of the quizzes will vary but will be multiple-choice questions similar to those on your final exam.
Exams
This course has a midterm and final exam. For each exam, you will have a 120-minute time limit. Your exam must be completed before the time limit because Canvas will automatically submit your exam when the time is up. You will not get credit for unanswered questions. Once you enter the exam, you will not be able to re-enter it. Make sure you are in a quiet place with no distractions and do whatever you need to do before starting the exam. You will take the exam during the scheduled Live Session on Zoom.
The exams feature a mixture of auto-graded and short essay questions. Some items test mastery of the basic legal rules, concepts, and vocabulary of the course. Other questions present hypothetical fact patterns where students demonstrate an ability to identify legal issues and to apply the concepts of the course to those issues.
Although all material is fair game for examination questions, the majority will be taken from class discussions. In other words, topics we spend more time on will probably be tested more heavily than others. Therefore, if you intend to create a course outline, then I would encourage you to base this outline on your classroom notes, supplemented by your textbook.
Exams are difficult. I wish to be very upfront about this point. I do not use test bank questions. Mine are mostly self-created. My exams are designed to test your ability to remember and apply the concepts. We will discuss sample questions along the way. Feel free to raise questions during the Live Sessions, if you feel we are not covering enough sample questions. I am always available for questions too.
Make-up exams are even worse. I understand that situations may arise where a student misses an exam but realize that missing an exam poses unique problems for faculty. Nothing prevents students from giving “insight” on the test or giving a student more time to study. Thus, the make-up exam reflects these concerns. I reserve the right to give you a make-up exam at an agreed-upon time.
Course Policies
Communication
If you have general questions about the class (assignments, class logistics, due dates, etc.), post a question in the HELP BOARD in the “Start Here” module. You can post questions about the course throughout the semester.
- If you have a personal question (grades, feedback, requests for special accommodation, etc.), please send me an email: tjquick@ou.edu. In some cases, it might be helpful if you send a screenshot of the issue. You can expect me to respond within 48 hours. If you don't hear back from me during that time, it is possible that I did not receive your email.
- If you have general tech questions, please contact OU IT at needhelp@ou.edu.
All course-related emails will be sent to the email registered in your name at the University of Oklahoma. If you wish to also receive course emails at another email address, go to your profile in Canvas and you can add 1 or more alternate emails to your account.
Late Policy
The Canvas system will allow you to submit homework and Connect assignments past the due date, but will deduct a late penalty.
Score Appeals
Only final grades are rounded, if necessary. In no event will any grades be changed after the semester is over unless an error is made on my part. Your grade is solely your responsibility. Any request to increase your final grade will result in an automatic loss of 5 participation points.
Course Expectations
- Learning should be your goal. I have little tolerance for the student who cares only about the “A.” If that is your goal, you will have a difficult time achieving it. If you put learning first, then the grade will follow.
- All readings, lectures, and discussions are sources for exam questions. As stated earlier, the majority of exam questions come from those topics discussed at length. Up to 1/4 of the test may come from minor topics. I will be very clear if a topic is not going to be tested.
- My expectations of you in the Live Sessions. You have read the assigned readings, prepared any homework, and reviewed your class notes from the last session.
- Please consult the student handbook and university policies on dropping a course, final exams and other areas of importance. I think it is important to apply the university rules as they stand. This is especially so as it applies to dropping courses and scheduling final exams. For more information, see the OU Student Life website.
- Humor and courtesy. These themes are important to me. I think they make the learning experience more enjoyable. I try to be humorous so please do not hold it against me if I crash and burn. I certainly invite you to reciprocate, humor that is, and not crashing and burning. We have a lot of material condensed into a finite amount of time (in law school, this course would be covered in 4 courses); therefore, please be prepared and try to focus on what is happening in class.
- I demand full academic honesty. I will prosecute to the fullest extent possible any form of academic misconduct.
- Remember, I’m your instructor (not your attorney). Although I am a licensed Oklahoma attorney, I do not give legal advice to my students.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog .
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity .
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center before receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center .
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office .
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or their authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar , which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Tentative Course Schedule
Date |
Topics & Activities |
Reading Assignments & Exams |
|---|---|---|
|
Pre-1st Class
|
Review Common Law of Contracts |
Chapters 13, 14, and 15 (skim only) |
|
Module 1 1/26 |
Sales and Lease Contracts Quiz 1 (Jan. 29) |
Chapter 21 |
|
Module 2 2/2 |
Title and Risk of Loss Warranties Quiz 2 (Feb. 5) |
Chapter 22 Chapter 25 |
|
Module 3 2/9 |
Performance, Breach, & Remedies Quiz 3 (Feb. 12) |
Chapters 23-24 |
|
Module 4 2/16 |
Study Guide MIDTERM EXAM |
All materials to date |
|
Module 5 2/23 |
Negotiable Instruments, Transferability, and HDCs Quiz 4 (2/26) |
Chapters 26-27 |
|
Module 6 3/2 |
Liability, Defenses, & Discharge Checks |
Chapters 28-29 |
|
Module 7 3/9 |
Secured Transactions Quiz 5 (3/12) |
Chapter 30 |
|
Module 8 3/16 |
Study Guide FINAL EXAM |
Closed book and notes |
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|