The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the necessity and value of the law and the courts as they affect personal rights and business dealings.
2. Explain the types of state and federal court structures and the necessary steps that a person must take to protect legal rights.
3. Articulate critical business insight into the fields of contracts, torts, ethics and practical legal problems and their solutions.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the need and value of law; and the necessity in having competent legal counsel in dealing with business problems.

1. Introduction to the law
   1. A study of the origins of law and the evolution of law as an agency of social and business control and a general study of the history and background of the law and legal systems
      1. Legal systems: common law, civil law, merchant law, equity law, statute law
      2. Functions of state and federal courts
      3. Judicial decisions and the law
      4. Changes and certainty of the law
      5. Venue and jurisdiction of the several courts
   2. A study of the organization of the courts in the federal court system and in California
   3. A study of the procedure and steps in a California legal action
2. Business ethics and social responsibility
   1. Corporate social responsibility
   2. Stakeholder and business relationships; principles of ethical decision-making in business
3. Courts, litigation and ADR
   1. Jurisdiction
   2. The federal court system
   3. The state court system
   4. Civil procedure
   5. Alternative dispute resolution
4. Constitutionality, statutory, admin and common law
   1. Constitutional concepts
   2. Public and public law
   3. Civil and criminal law
   4. Substantive and procedural law
5. Intentional torts and business torts
   1. Business tort liability
   2. Intentional torts
6. Negligence and strict liability
7. Contracts—formation, impediments, conclusions and practical contracts
   1. A study of the formation and meaning of contracts; the parties to a contract and the purposes in formation of contracts
      1. What is a contract
         1. History and development of the law of contracts
         2. Types of contracts
      2. Formation of simple contracts
         1. Offer by one party to a contract
         2. Acceptance of offers and mutual assent
         3. Mutuality of consent
         4. Bargained-for consideration
      3. Parties competent to contract
         1. Who are competent parties
         2. Enforcement of contracts with parties who are not competent to contract
         3. Minors' contracts
   2. A study of fraud, duress, mistake and undue influence in formation of contracts
   3. The doctrine of consideration
      1. Meaning of consideration (value received) in contracts
      2. The necessity of consideration in order to have a binding contract
      3. Cases where consideration is not required
   4. A study of the need for a written contract
      1. The Parole Evidence rule
      2. The Statute of Frauds
         1. What contracts must be in writing
         2. When does the Statute of Frauds apply and what are the exceptions
   5. A study of the rights of third parties in contracts and the assignment of contract rights and obligations
   6. A study of contract performances and breach
      1. Performance of contract duties
      2. Excuses for non-performance in contracts
      3. Breach of contract
      4. Damages for breach of contract
8. Selected other topics

Not applicable.

Quizzes
Tests
Final examination
Written critical analysis

Lecture
Discussion
Oral presentations
Field trips

Cheeseman, Henry R.. Business Law: Legal Environment, Online Commerce, Business Ethics, and International Issues, 10th ed.. 2020.

Mallor, Jane P., et al.. Business Law: The Ethical, Global, and E-Commerce Environment, 16th ed.. 2015.

1. Critical thinking of cases and legal analysis, through handouts and student research
2. Term project: Court visit and detailed written summary of visit