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, 6th Edition, Kubasek, Browne, Herron, Dhooge, Barkacs (+ Connect).
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:
- 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 Tuesdays 7:00pm (Nothing due first week) |
22% |
Connect Worksheets |
7-10 Connect Assignments |
Due Tuesdays 7:00pm – assigned at various points throughout the class |
9% |
Quizzes |
Five quizzes |
Due Mondays 11:59 pm (will be accessible between Fridays at 8am and Mondays at 11:59am) |
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 at least one 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 immediately before each Live Session. I will go over the homework in class after it is due.
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 questions similar to those on your exams. The quizzes will be open-book and open-note.
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 past the due date, but will deduct a late penalty. As a general rule, you will not be allowed to submit homework after we have discussed it in class.
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 at least two different 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
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.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement
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.
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.
OU Fire Safety on Campus Video
Tentative Course Schedule
Date |
Topics & Activities |
Reading Assignments & Exams |
|---|---|---|
|
Pre-1st Class
|
Review Common Law of Contracts |
Chapters 13, 14, and 15 (skim only) (I will go over some of these concepts in the first meeting, so don't worry if you don't have time) |
|
Module 1 1/17 |
Sales and Lease Contracts
|
Chapter 21 (this does not have to be read before our first meeting, as I will use the first meeting for review of contracts concepts) |
|
Module 2 1/24 |
Sales and Lease Contracts (con't) Title and Risk of Loss Quizzes 1 & 2 (Jan. 27-Jan. 30) |
Chapters 21-22
|
|
Module 3 1/31 |
Performance, Breach, & Remedies Warranties Quiz 3 (Feb. 3-Feb. 6) |
Chapters 23-25 |
|
Module 4 2/7 |
Study Guide MIDTERM EXAM |
All materials to date Open book and notes |
|
Module 5 2/14 |
Negotiable Instruments, Transferability, and HDCs Quiz 4 (Feb. 17-Feb. 20) |
Chapters 26-27 |
|
Module 6 2/21 |
Liability, Defenses, & Discharge Checks |
Chapters 28-29 |
|
Module 7 2/28 |
Secured Transactions Quiz 5 (March 3-March 6) |
Chapter 30 |
|
Module 8 3/7 |
Study Guide FINAL EXAM |
Open book and notes |