Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
Course Prerequisites
None
Course Materials
Business Law: The Ethical, Global, and E-Commerce Environment (McGraw-Hill: Custom Version) (17th ed. 2018), by Langvardt, et al. ISBN: 978-1-307-25728-1.
- The custom version (about $80 new) is 7 chapters selected from a longer book and can be purchased from the OU Bookstore
- An eBook of the custom version (about $45) can be ordered through the OU Bookstore or directly from the publisher
- If you prefer, you can purchase the longer book, either the 16th or 17th edition. (The lead author on the 16th ed. was Jane Mallor, but the two editions are essentially the same.)
In addition, some required readings will be posted on Canvas.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Individual Points |
Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midterm Exam | Covers material from chapters 1–2 and 5–7 | 1 × 100 points | 100 points |
| Final Exam | Covers material from chapters 5–7, 4, and 9 | 1 × 100 points | 100 points |
| Pre-session Quizzes | For Modules 1–3 and 5–7 | 6 × 5 pts. | 30 points |
| Case Briefs | In Modules 1–3, 5, and 7 | 5 × 8 pts. | 40 points |
| Live Sessions | In Modules 1–3 and 5–7: Pre-session questions, Zoom attendance, and participation | 6 × 5 pts. | 30 points |
| Total | 300 points |
Scale
| Points |
Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 255–300 points | 85–100% | A |
| 210–254 points | 70–84% | B |
| 165–209 points | 70–79% | C |
| 120–164 points | 60–69% | D |
| 119 points and below | Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Exams
There will be two exams in this course. They are administered through Canvas and monitored through Zoom.
Exams will be accessible during Live Sessions in Weeks 4 and 8. You will have 90 minutes to finish each exam: you will start at 7 pm (Central) and must submit your answers before 8:30 pm. You must be visible on Zoom while taking the exam. Your instructor will be available through private messaging to answer any questions you have while taking the exams.
Exams are closed-book. You must put all course materials and learning aids away before taking the exams; you may not receive help of any kind.
Each exam has a series of short-answer essay questions. Some questions will test mastery of the basic legal rules, concepts, and vocabulary presented in the course. Other questions will present hypothetical fact patterns where the student will demonstrate an ability to 1) identify legal and ethical issues and 2) apply the concepts of the course to those issues. A sample exam is posted on Canvas to give you a sense of the types of questions asked.
Although the final exam is partially cumulative, it will emphasize material presented in the second half of the course (Chapters 4 and 9).
Pre-Session Quizzes
Prior to each Live Session (in Weeks 1–3 and 5–7), you must answer a five-question, multiple-choice quiz. Each question is worth 1 point. You will have 10 minutes to complete each quiz, and it must be submitted by noon on the day of the Live Session for that week.
Each quiz is available online one week in advance of its due date. The first quiz must be completed by noon on the day of our first zoom session. Correct answers will be shown after noon on the day of the quiz.
The quizzes cover the assigned readings and the online lectures for that week. You may use your course materials (open-book; notes) during the quizzes; however, you may not use non-course materials (such as a general Google search) to answer the questions.
Assignments (Case Briefs)
Prior to the Live Sessions in Weeks 1–3, 5, and 7, you must turn in a 200-300-word written assignment. Each assignment is worth 8 points and is due by noon of the day for the live discussion for that week.
Your assignment for Weeks 1-3 and for Week 7 is to submit a "case brief" for one of the cases that we will discuss during the Live Session.
Your assigned cases are listed below. Both our text and the video lecture for Week 1 explain how to brief a case. You will be asked to lead or actively engage in the case discussion during our Live Session. The first case brief must be completed and submitted online by noon on the day of our first zoom session.
Cases
We will discuss the following cases during our Live Sessions. Carefully read all of these cases. Page numbers are from the 17th ed. of Langvardt (the smaller number on the custom edition).
- Chapter 1: Price (p. 5) and James (p. 25)
- Chapter 2: Hertz (p. 44) and AT&T (p. 59)
- Chapter 5: Sekhar (p. 154) and Anderson (p. 183)
- Chapter 6: Mathias (p. 201) and Durham (p. 207)
- Chapter 7: Currie (p. 252) and Stahlecker (p. 269)
- Chapter 9: Symons (p. 355)
Case Briefs
Briefs are assigned alphabetically by your surname. You must submit 1 written case brief for Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 7. Due 12:00 noon, Thursdays.
| First Letter of Surname |
Week 1 Case |
Week 2 Case | Week 3 Case | Week 7 Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A–B | Price | Hertz | Mathias | Symons |
| C–E | Price | AT&T | Mathias | Symons |
| F–L | Price | AT&T | Durham | Symons |
| M–P | James | Sekhar | Currie | Symons |
| Q–S | James | Anderson | Currie | Symons |
| T–Z | James | Anderson | Stahlecker | Symons |
Live Sessions: Questions, Attendance & Participation
Prior to each Live Session, you must turn in two thoughtful questions that you would like to discuss. The questions may ask for clarification or expansion of that week’s material. Any sincere question covering business ethics/law will be respected. The first set of two “pre-session questions” must be submitted by noon on the day of our first zoom session.
You are also expected to attend and participate during each Live Session. I will assign a grade for questions, attendance, & participation (up to 30 points) at the end of the course. There are two ways in which you can earn points for the Live Session. Remember, these Live Sessions will count toward your final grade.
- Participate Live: This option should be your preferred choice. When possible, you should attend and participate in the Live Sessions in real-time. To get credit for your attendance, type in the date and time of the session you attended by clicking on the red "Submit Assignment" button at the top of the Live Sessions page. Your login will be cross-checked against the attendance tracker in Zoom.
- Make-Up (Watch Recording-Submit Written Summary): In the event that your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, please review the recording of the Live Session then write a paragraph summarizing the Live Session from your perspective.
Note: Be sure to utilize option 1 or 2 for each of the Live Sessions to receive full points. Regardless of when the session occurred, you must post your response based on option 1 or 2.
Course Policies
Communication
If you have a personal question (grades, feedback, requests for special accommodation, etc.) please contact me directly via email.
If you have a question about the weekly topic or learning material, please post it on the Questions page in the relevant module before noon on Thursday. I will address most of these questions during our Live Session.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. 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.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report 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.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
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.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|