Course Syllabus: Business Law

Semester: Fall of 2010

Teacher: Mrs. Olson

Course Text:

Understanding Business and Personal Law (required for class everyday)

Goals of the Course:

During this course, we will learn the basics of law and how it is affected by our ethics and personal choices.  We will discover how the court system works, the different forms of criminal, tort, contract, and consumer law.  Finally, we will look at how a business or corporation is run and what important personal laws will affect you in the future.

Students Expectations:

-As a high school student, I will expect that you will use your work time wisely, show up with your work completed, and all required materials. 

-Attendance: In order to not be marked tardy unexcused, you will need to be the classroom by the time the bell rings.  If you are late coming from your previous class, you will need to have a pass from that teacher. There will also be no leaving the room without teacher permission or pass, during the class hour.

-End of the hour procedure: There will be no gathering at the door or roaming out into the hall prior to the bell ringing.  You may have your things gathered and be standing, but if we are unable to keep ourselves inside our classroom we will have to remain seated until the bell.

-Absences:  If you are absent from school for any reason, it is your responsibility to ask for your make-up work.  This may be done during the first five minutes of class, after class, or during independent work time.  You will have two days to make-up any assignments that you have missed and turn them in.  Please feel free to see me during my prep or other free time, if you need any help or have questions.

-Late Work:  For everyday that an assignment is late, you will drop 10% from whatever grade you earned on the assignment.  For example, if you received a 90% on the assignment but it was one day late, your grade would be dropped to an 80%.

-Computer Usage: Computers will be used properly and ethically at all times.  You will not be able to use the computers unless it is necessary for your assignment.  When working on the computer for a class assignment, you need to stay on-task, no checking e-mail or going to other websites.  You will not download programs or change the settings of the computer.  No gum, food, or beverages will be allowed in the computer lab.

-We will follow the four basic rules of conduct as provided by the school: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe, and Be Proud

Grading Procedures:

Your overall quarter grades will be comprised of the following elements:

-Attendance/Participation: 

You can receive up to 3 points everyday for showing up to class and participating in it.  Participation points will be based on your attitude and behaviors, contribution to discussions, working on the task at hand, etc.  If you are absent from class you can make up two of those participation points by completing your make-up work with-in the next two days.

          -Daily Work/Homework/Quizzes:

All daily work or homework will be expected to be turned in by the date due.  If you fail to do so the previously mentioned late work policy will take effect.

Quizzes may be announced that day prior to occurrence or they may be a pop quiz. 

          -Projects/Tests:

Project and/or tests will occur at the end of every chapter or unit.  Projects will include things such as research papers, mock trials, writing contracts, and reflection papers.  Tests will be multiple choices, true/false, and short answer.  If a student receives a score of 69% or lower, they will have the option to raise their grade.  As to what corrections, projects, or re-takes they will need to complete will be based on the original project.

Final grades will be computed by the total number of points you earned during the quarter divided by the total points possible for the quarter (ex. 1235/1300 would equal a 95% or an A).  Extra Credit will be discussed as needed.

**This is a general overview of the course and expectations; therefore changes may be made as necessary.

Semester Calendar:

The following is a general overview of what we will be covering this semester.  Topics and timeframe are subject to change as necessary.

September

          Ethics and Law

          The Court System

          Criminal Law

October

          Torts Law

          Contract Law

November

          Contract Law Continued

          Mock Trial

          Field Trip??

December

          Consumer Law

          Getting a Job

          Purchasing Power

January

          Starting a Business

          Planning for the Future