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	Course Syllabus & Expectations COURSE DESCRIPTION The goal of this course is to teach the students, what is "the law"? Is there a difference between "'the law' and laws"? How are laws made, changed and interpreted? How do laws influence the business and personal decisions that individuals make? How do business and individuals influence the development and interpretation of the law? The students' attention is focused on both the substance and the process of our legal system. As a result, they encounter and explore many important social and ethical issues. Students also examine partial issues related to their daily lives, both now and in the future. PREREQUISITE 11th-12th Grade Standing PRE-ASSESSMENT Pre-testing will be done to determine a student present including areas of strength and weakness. POST-ASSESSMENT Post testing will be given to determine student's growth in course content, career objectives and to determine the strength and weaknesses in the teaching-learning system. CAREER OBJECTIVES When students complete the course, students should show improved academic knowledge and skills in these areas:  Understanding substantive business and personal law  Understanding legal procedures and the range of legal remedies  Understanding the sources and methods of legal research  Using precise legal language  Analyzing and summarizing complex legal situations  Applying principles to legal situations  Formulating an argument based on facts and principles  Expressing facts, principles, and arguments in writing POSSIBLE CAREERS Upon completion of this course the student will have several options including:  Attorney  Legal Assistant  Court Reporting  Legal Aid  Paralegal COURSE OUTCOMES 1. Students will differentiate among the ways in which ethical decisions are made. 2. Students will identify the basic freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and describe several key Constitutional amendments beyond the Bill of Rights. 3. Students will differentiate among cases that belong within the jurisdiction of the federal and state, territory, and providence court systems. 4. Students will define litigation and describe methods for resolving disputes other than litigation. 5. Students will identify the appellate process in criminal and civil cases. 6. Students will define the different types of business crimes, such as arson, forgery, and embezzlement. 7. Students will differentiate among classes of contracts, such as bilateral and unilateral; express and implied; and oral and written. 8. Students will define and distinguish between different types of consideration and list the exceptions to the requirement of consideration. 9. Students will distinguish between an agent and individuals such as independent contractors; real estate brokers, bailers, and trustees. 10. Students will outline legal procedures for forming and running sole proprietorship. 11. Students will describe legislation, such as the Uniform Partnership Act, that affects partnerships. 12. Students will differentiate among types of corporations, such as profit, non-profit, domestic, foreign and S corporations. 13. Students will identify the different methods by which property is acquired. 14. Students will describe the kinds of rental relationship and landlords' tenants may create. 15. Students will learn the importance and function of commercial paper. 16. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the concept "negotiability" and distinguish it from "assignability." 17. Students will learn a secured transaction and explain the requirements for creating a valid security interest. 18. Students will describe, define, and discuss the various aspects of bankruptcy, such as Chapter 7, Liquidation; Chapter 11, Reorganization and Chapter 30, Reorganization of Debts. 19. Students will define the key terms involved in computer law. 20. Students will identify the requirements necessary for a valid will. 21. Students will identify any concerns that might be included in prenuptial agreements. LESSONS WITH TOPICS 1. BASICS OF THE LAW A. Ethics and Law B. Sources of the Law C. Structure of the Courts D. Classification of Procedural Law E. Classification of Substantive Law 2. CONTRACT LAW, LAW OF SALES, AND CONSUMER LAW A. Contract Law B. Laws of Sales C. Consumer Law 3. AGENCY AND EMPLOYMENT A. Agency B. Employment 4. BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS A. Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships B. Corporation C. Limited Liability Corporations 5. PROPERTY LAW A. Personal Property B. Real Property 6. COMMERCIAL PAPER, INSURANCE, SECURED TRANSACTIONS, BANKRUPTCY A. Commercial Paper B. Insurance C. Secured Transactions D. Bankruptcy 7. COMPUTER LAW A. Key Terms 8. WILLS AND TRUSTS A. Wills B. Trusts 9. DOMESTIC RELATIONS LAWS A. Marriage and Its Legal Consequences B. Divorce and Its Legal Consequences 10. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND ENERGY REGULATION A. Environmental Law B. Energy Regulation MAJOR TEXT A variety of resources will be used to meet the goals of this course. It is important for the student to keep all handouts to help when preparing projects, demonstrations, or studying for tests and quizzes. A class room set of Glenco Understanding Business and Personal Law by McGraw-Hill Publishing will be provided for occasional use. The student will be responsible for the care of this book during class time. If the book is stolen, the replacement cost will be $45.00. The student will pay a portion of the total cost if the book needs repair. COURSE INFORMATION 1. Testing - The teacher will administer tests and quizzes throughout the course to determine the individual student's development as well as the effectiveness of the teaching system being employed. The teacher will give quizzes occasionally, and at the end of each unit of study as well as the end of semester final exam. 2. Assignments - Students will complete the majority of their assignments in class with a few special assignments to be worked out on partially or completely at home when appropriate. 3. Homework Policy - The teacher will give assignments daily. Most will be complete entirely in class. Occasionally an assignment will be completed at home. The teacher will accept assignments when directions have been followed, the assignment is complete, the paper is labeled, and neatness legibility is evident. 4. Make-up - To receive full credit, students have (2) days for each day missed because of an absence. It's the student's responsibility to meet with the teacher to determine the work to be completed. 5. Extra Credit - Will be offered periodically to the entire class. Individual extra credit will NOT be give to any student. ACROSS THE CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES A. Organization/Study Skills--The teacher will advise students during the first week of school regarding the importance of being prepared daily for class. It will be required that the students have a notebook, Student Handbook, and pen/pencil at their station each day when class begins. The teacher will check to see that these requirements are met and will reward the students accordingly. B. Writing--Students will put into practice writing techniques, which they have developed in their English classes. The teacher will not include written assignments and essay questions on exams, which will be part of the exam grade. C. Reading/Learning Strategies--Two column notes will be used for note taking. Business vocabulary words will be kept track of in a database and in a Microsoft Word table. D. Technology--Emerging technology use will be an integral part of this course. EVALUATION A. Criteria for Arriving at Student Grades 1. Semester Exam - This examination will constitute 15% of the grade 2. Tests/Quizzes - These will constitute 10% of the grade. 3. Assignments - This will constitute 65% of the grade. 4. Participation - This will constitute 1-% of the grade. 5. Extra Credit - Extra credit may increase the grade of no more than 5%. 6. Make-up - Made-up assignments, tests and other educational tasks will provide the student 100% credit if made up within a two-(2) day make-up period following absences. B. All work will be assigned a point value. A percentage grade will be determined by dividing total points earned by total points possible. Letter grades will be assigned based on the following scale: A…90% and above Excellent B…80%-89% Above Average C…70%-79% Average D…60%-69% Below Average F…59% and below Failing IN Incomplete NG No Grade C. Receiving Grade Reports Grades will be posted weekly so that the student can keep current on cumulative grade. The teacher will review the work and discuss the student's progress, and let the student know what can be done to improve. A computer printout will be distributed to the student at mid-term. CITIZENSHIP GRADE: Factors with will positively effective grades including but not limited to: cooperates with teachers and students to maintain successful learning environment, observes class rules, arrives to class on time and completes assignment work in a timely manner. Citizenship grades for the term will be assigned as follows: 0-2 warnings = E Excellent 3-5 warnings = S Satisfactory 6 or more warnings = U Unsatisfactory Classroom Behavior Expectations are:  To be on time to class and be prepared to do your lessons.  No, food, gum, candy or drinks , it is strictly forbidden.  Keep personal grooming items put away while in class.  Follow all teacher directions oral and written, (excessive talking and other off-task behavior may result in detention.)  Ask your teacher for help when you don't understand.  Clean up your area before leaving.  Remain seated and wait to be dismissed by the teacher.