Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Prior knowledge of the common law of contracts is helpful, 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 a few 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
| Activity | Description | Date | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Homework |
Weekly assignments. |
|
23% |
| Court Case Discussion Board |
Court cases will be assigned via a Discussion Board |
|
10% |
Connect Worksheets
|
7-10 Connect Assignments |
|
9% |
Quizzes |
Five quizzes |
|
18% |
Midterm Exam |
120-minute time limit. Multiple formats. |
|
18% |
Final Exam |
120-minute time limit. Multiple formats. |
|
22% |
Total |
100% |
Scale
A = 90-100%; B = 80-89%; C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; F = Below 59%
Course Components
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.
Homework will be graded 100%, 75%, or 0%. The grade 100% will be given to students who complete 70% of the assignment correctly. If you made a good attempt, 75% will be given. A zero will be given if an assignment is not turned in on time. Homework will be due on Fridays.
Court Case Discussion Board
Court cases are fundamental to the study of business law and help to illustrate important concepts by showing their application to real-world situations. Each week, you will have 1-2 cases to read that are relevant to the module's subject area. You will then discuss what you believe the case teaches us about the relevant legal principle's application to similarly-situated parties.
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. I will also give one optional quiz that you can use in lieu of your lowest score on a Quiz. Quizzes are 20 minutes each, and I will give you a block of time in which to take them every Monday (typically, anytime between 8am and midnight)
Quizzes are open book.
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.
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.
Exams are open-book and open-note. The Midterm exam will be open for you to take anytime between 8am on Monday, April 12th and midnight on Friday, April 16th. The Final exam will be open for you to take anytime during Finals week (May 10-14)
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. You will have sample questions along the way. I am always available for questions too.
Course Policies
Communication
If you have any questions (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.
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. http://www.ou.edu/studentlife/studenthandbook
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.
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 prior to 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 his/her 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- Class
|
Review Common Law of Contracts |
Chapters 13, 14, and 15 (skim only) |
|
Module 1 3/22-3/26 |
Sales and Lease Contracts Quiz 1 (March 29) |
Chapter 21 |
|
Module 2 3/29-4/2 |
Title and Risk of Loss Quiz 2 (April 5) |
Chapter 22
|
|
Module 3 4/5-4/9 |
Performance, Breach, & Remedies Warranties Quiz 3 (April 12) |
Chapters 23-24 PowerPoints (Chap. 25)
|
|
Module 4 4/13- 4/16 |
MIDTERM EXAM |
All materials to date Open book and note |
|
Module 5 4/19-4/23 |
Negotiable Instruments, Transferability, and HDCs Quiz 4 (4/26) |
Chapters 26-27
|
|
Module 6 4/26-4/30 |
Liability, Defenses, & Discharge Checks Optional Quiz (5/3) |
Chapters 28 PowerPoints
|
|
Module 7 5/3-5/7 |
Secured Transactions Quiz 5 (5/7) |
Chapter 30
|
|
Module 8 5/10-5/15 |
FINAL EXAM |
Open book and notes |
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|