11011 Business Law 100 Unit Coordinator Lisa Goldacre

11011
Business Law 100
Unit Coordinator Lisa Goldacre
School of Business Law and Taxation
Curtin Business School
UNIT OUTLINE
Study Period 2 2009
CRICOS (Perth - 00301J) (Sydney - 02637B)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 3
ESSENTIAL ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ........................................................................... 3
TEACHING STAFF.......................................................................................................................... 4
UNIT COORDINATOR .................................................................................................................... 4
TEACHING SUPPORT OFFICER................................................................................................... 4
UNIT SYLLABUS............................................................................................................................. 5
LEARNING OUTCOMES ................................................................................................................ 5
LEARNING ACTIVITIES.................................................................................................................. 5
STUDENT FEEDBACK ................................................................................................................... 5
LEARNING RESOURCES .............................................................................................................. 6
TEXT BOOK .................................................................................................................................... 7
Recommended Texts:.................................................................................................................. 7
ASSESSMENT DETAILS ................................................................................................................ 8
The asses Assessment Summary ............................................................................................... 8
Assessment 1 – Online Skills Task (1) ........................................................................................ 8
Assessment 2 – Online Skills Task 2........................................................................................... 9
Assessment 3 – Four Step process test ...................................................................................... 9
Assessment 4 – Final Examination............................................................................................ 10
STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................................................... 11
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION....................................................................................................... 11
Telephone Contacts:.................................................................................................................. 11
Deferrals..................................................................................................................................... 12
UNIT STUDY CALENDAR ............................................................................................................ 13
FEEDBACK FORM........................................................................................................................ 15
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Business Law 100. We hope that this unit is an interesting and valuable
learning experience for you. Please read this unit outline carefully as it contains
important information.
This unit aims to provide you with an introduction to the legal system and an
understanding of how law is relevant in business. In fact, no business transaction can
occur without contemplation of the applicable law. The focus of your study will be on a
number of specific areas of the law that arise for consideration in most commercial
transactions, whether in Australia or internationally. This unit also teaches you how to
construct a coherent and logical legal argument when analysing and solving case
studies.
ESSENTIAL ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Unit Title Business Law 100
Unit Study Package Number 11011
Unit Coordinator
Teaching Area
Lisa Goldacre
School of Business Law & Taxation
Credit Value 25
Mode(s) of study
Co-, Pre- and Anti-requisites
Additional requirements
Core Unit status
Result Type
Ancillary Fees and Charges
Unit Website
Faculty or School Website
Tuition Pattern
Study Load
Internal
Nil
Nil
If you are taking this unit as a required (core) unit in your
course of study, you may be terminated from your course of
study if you fail this unit twice.
Grade and Mark
All fee information can be obtained through the Fees Centre.
Visit http://www.fees.curtin.edu.au/index.cfm for details.
If this unit has a website you can access the unit materials via
http://oasis.curtin.edu.au
http://www.business.curtin.edu.au/business/teachingareas/business-law-and-taxation
3 hour seminar
Students should expect to study/work on this unit for
approximately 6 hours per week, inclusive of the weekly
seminar and computer based tutorial.
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
TEACHING STAFF
UNIT COORDINATOR
Every unit also has a person who is responsible for the overall administration of that unit. This
person is the Unit Coordinator. If you cannot contact the Teaching Support Officer (named below)
or if you have further queries about this unit, you may wish to contact the Unit Coordinator for this
unit. Their contact details are below:
Unit Coordinator:
Email:
Lisa Goldacre
CBS-BL100@curtin.edu.au
Phone: +61 8 9266 7059
Fax: +61 8 9266 3222
Building: 407
Room: 238
Contact Hours:
The teaching staff will assist you with your learning and any problems or difficulties you may be
experiencing while undertaking this unit. They will also mark your assessment and provide
feedback in relation to your progress in this unit.
If you leave a message for the lecturer or tutor on email or telephone, allow for a response time of
2 working days.
Note: When contacting the teaching staff, please be aware that we are on Western Standard
Time (+8 GMT).
TEACHING SUPPORT OFFICER
The Teaching Support Officer for this unit and their contact details are below:
Your Teaching
Support Officer:
Email:
Tracey Price
CBS-BL100@curtin.edu.au
Phone: +61 08 9266 7058
Fax: +61 08 9266 3222
Building: 407
Room: 232
Contact Hours:
Any non-academic queries in regard to Business Law 100 should be directed to the Teaching
Support Officer. If you have a question about the content of the unit then you should see the unit
coordinator or one of the mentors in consultation time, otherwise please contact the Teaching
Support Officer on the email address provided above.
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
UNIT SYLLABUS
An introduction to law with a business focus. Students examine the nature
and sources of law in Australia and other international legal systems. Key
aspects of civil law as they relate to business are explored with a particular
emphasis on contract law.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
Interpret and apply the basic legal rules and principles arising in the Australian
legal system.
2. Access, identify and review sources of online legal materials from both
Australian and international jurisdictions.
3. Construct a coherent and logical legal argument using the four step
approach.
4. Apply relevant legal concepts and principles to analyse and solve case
studies.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
The tuition pattern is a 3 hour weekly seminar, supported by specified reading
and a computer-based tutorial.
The seminar will comprise a 1 hour interactive lecture, beginning with a revision
quiz. The remaining two hours will be devoted to a case study on that week’s
seminar topic, where students will be required to work through the case study in
the class, with assistance from the lecturer and mentors. This structure gives
students the opportunity to learn how to construct a coherent and logical legal
argument when analysing and solving case studies and receive feedback from
the teaching staff.
The computer-based tutorial assigned for that week can be completed in the
students’ own time at their convenience. Should students not have access to a
suitable computer, or wish to receive further assistance and feedback on any of
the tutorial topics, the software for the computer-based tutorials has been
installed in the computer labs in building 402. Students will be notified which labs
will be staffed by Business Law 100 mentors.
STUDENT FEEDBACK
For Semester 1 and Semester 2 eVALUate is open for
student feedback in weeks 12-17.
For other study periods see
http://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/dates.cfm
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
We welcome your feedback as one way to keep improving this unit. Later this
semester, you will be encouraged to give unit feedback through eVALUate,
Curtin’s online student feedback system (see http://evaluate.curtin.edu.au).
Recent changes to this unit in response to student feedback through eVALUate
include:
1. A comprehensive review of the unit materials and curriculum resulting in a
restructure of the curriculum to focus the syllabus on legal matters
relevant to business using materials that are engaging. In choosing the
new course materials, consideration was also given to students’ very
positive feedback regarding the previous study guide. The new source
book replicates the strengths of the previous study guide. The computerbased
tutorials meet students’ requests for more immediate feedback and
flexibility in learning. The package of materials respects students’ desire
for value for money as all of the materials are integral to the learning
process and assessment.
2. The format of the tuition pattern has been changed to a three hour
seminar as requested by many students. The ability of students to seek
individual assistance is maintained by the presence of mentors in the
seminar, in the staffed labs and on discussion board.
3. A more interactive style of delivery of the course material has been
developed by the use of a weekly two hour case study, revision sessions
and computer based tutorials.
LEARNING RESOURCES
FLECS – Blackboard
The Flexible Learning Environment for Curtin Student (FLECS-Blackboard) is
provided for all Curtin students. Access is via OASIS (http://oasis.curtin.edu.au)
under the ‘my studies & eVALUate’ tab.
CBS student support. Select the ‘Students’ tab within FLECS-Blackboard,
click on the CBS student help form and fill out the online help form.
After you have carefully read through this outline, make sure that you:
1. Listen to the introductory Vodcasts (located in the Unit Resources
section on Blackboard) titled, How to use Business Law 100 course
materials, particularly the one about how to install the computer-based
tutorials.
2. The CD-ROM contains the computer based tutorials you will have to do
each week. Instructions on installing your interactive tutorials are provided
with the CD on the inside cover of First Principles of Business Law
(FPBL). If you have any problems installing this software please contact
the publisher at ALCware@netro.com.au or the trouble shooting page at
www.ALCware.com. Other contact details are included with the instruction
booklet.
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
Remember:
The software is copy-protected and you can only install it on one
computer, so make sure you install it on a computer you will have
access to for the whole semester. After installing the software, check
that everything works and then follow the procedure described in the CD
booklet to get and enter a registration number.
Do NOT reformat your computer after installation. If you reformat, you
will loose your registration and when you reinstall the FPBL software you
will need a new registration number-the old one won’t work. This may
mean buying a new license.
3. Attend at the weekly seminar. You may wish to save the Lecture Outlines
and/or the PowerPoint slides to your own computer, or print them out
week by week. If you chose not to attend the seminar, work through the
weekly Lecture Outlines, Case studies and PowerPoint slides and
listen to the iLecture for that topic.
4. Complete the prescribed readings from the FPBL Source Materials book
for the topic as indicated in the Study Calendar. Remember that there are
case summaries and legislative extracts at the end of the book which
should also be read as they arise in each topic.
5. Work through the computer-based tutorial for each topic to ensure you
have properly understood the materials.
6. Regularly check Blackboard for announcements. There is also a large
amount of additional resources on this site, including quizzes, crosswords,
links and FAQ’s to assist your learning. In particular, the discussion
board is staffed by a mentor during the week.
TEXT BOOK
You will need to purchase the following textbook in order to complete this unit:
First Principles of Business Law Interactive Tutorials and Source Book 2009
Edition, Lambiris M, CCH, Sydney
Recommended Texts:
You do not have to purchase the following textbooks but you may like to refer to
them.
Latimer P, Australian Business Law (recent edition); CCH Ltd, Sydney
Pentony, B; Graw, S; Lennard, J; Parker, D Understanding Business Law
(4 th edition or later only), LexisNexis, Australia
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
The asses Assessment Summary
The assessment for this unit consists of the following items. The marks are
cumulative, so students do not need to pass each assessment task, but must
achieve a total of 50 or more to pass this unit. Detailed information on each
assessment item is available on Blackboard in the Assessment section.
Assessment Tasks Worth Due Unit Learning
Outcome
Assessed
Online Skills Task (1)
15 Week 3 1
Online Skills Task (2)
20 Week 4 1,2
Four Step Process Test
15 Week 6 3,4
Final examination
50 3,4
TOTAL
100%
Assessment 1 – Online Skills Task (1)
Worth: 15%
Due: Week 3
Students are required to complete a series of questions. The initial questions are
designed to test the students’ knowledge of general principles learned from
lectures and tutorials on Topic 1 (which includes the readings and assigned
computer based tutorials).
No books, notes, statutes or other materials are to be taken into the test.
The task will contain 30 questions, covering Topic 1 (which includes the
readings and assigned computer based tutorials) of the unit. You will have
40 minutes to complete the multiple-choice test. Failure to undertake this
assessment will result in the loss of 15 marks. Bentley students will complete
this test in the CAA laboratory in the Robertson Library. You must book to
complete your test in the laboratory. Please book this test as soon as
possible to ensure that you can do the test. Instructions on how to book
the test are available under the Assessment tab on Blackboard.
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
Assessment 2 – Online Skills Task 2
Worth: 20%
Due: Week 4
Students are required complete a series of questions to test their ability to apply
their knowledge of Topics 2 and 3. The questions progress in complexity to test
the students’ ability to apply their knowledge by interpreting and evaluating
information in relation to short problem based scenarios. Students are required to
demonstrate their decision making techniques to interpret facts, compare and
contrast answers.
No books, notes, statutes or other materials are to be taken into the test.
The task will contain 40 questions, covering Topics 2 and 3 (which includes
the readings and assigned computer based tutorials) of the unit. You will
have 40 minutes to complete the multiple-choice test. Failure to undertake this
assessment will result in the loss of 20 marks. Bentley students will complete
this test in the CAA laboratory in the Robertson Library. You must book to
complete your test in the laboratory. Please book this test as soon as
possible to ensure that you can do the test. Instructions on how to book
the test are available under the Assessment tab on Blackboard.
Assessment 3 – Four Step process test
Worth: 15%
Due: Week 6
You will write a test of 5 minutes reading time and 40 minutes writing time.
Students construct a coherent and logical legal argument using the four step
approach. The test will require students to apply relevant legal concepts and
principles to analyse and solve a case study by explaining and applying their
knowledge of some of the introductory legal rules arising in contract (Topic 3).
Failure to undertake this test will result in the loss of 15 marks
No books, notes, statutes or other materials are to be taken into the test.
This test will be held outside normal class time on Friday 4 th September
2009 commencing at 6pm. The test will be held in building 210, rooms 101
and 102. Please ensure you arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time in order to
get everyone seated and the test started on time.
If you are unable to sit this test because of extenuating circumstances you
must contact the teaching support officer or unit coordinator within 48
hours of missing the test. Failure to do so will result in you losing 15 marks.
All students will be expected to sit the test at this time unless there are
extenuating circumstances (ie illness) preventing them from doing so.
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
MARKING RUBRIC
No marks specifically
allocated
7 marks available
5 marks available
STEP FOUR
OVERALL USE OF
FOUR STEP
PROCESS AND
STRUCTURE OF
ANSWER
No marks specifically
allocated
3 marks available
Feedback Form
At the end of this Unit Outline is a blank “Feedback Form” designed to help
students plan how to write the test and gauge the strengths and weaknesses of
their work on the basis of given criteria. You should consider these criteria
carefully. You will notice that they follow the main principles of the four step
process.
After you have completed the four step process test in the seminar you should
complete a self-assessment of your answer on a feedback form that will be
provided and hand it in with your answer booklet. The sheet will be returned to
you with your marked test and the marker’s review of your answer. You will be
able to compare your self-assessment and the assessment given by the marker
on the same form. If there is a large difference in your assessment and that of
the marker, you should make an appointment to discuss what it means with the
teaching staff.
Assessment 4 – Final Examination
Worth: 50%
Due: Centrally scheduled examination
Students will be provided with the facts of a case study in the revision lecture,
which will also be posted to FLECS-Blackboard after the last seminar, from which
a series of questions will be drawn. The examination will require students to
apply relevant legal concepts and principles to analyse and solve the case study
by explaining and applying their knowledge of the legal principles and rules
arising in topics 5 to 11.
The questions are structured as follows:
Two (2) four step process questions based on the facts of the case
study. Students construct a coherent and logical legal argument using the
four step approach for each question, worth 15 marks each (30 in total).
The questions will be drawn from topics 5 to 8. The marking rubric for
each question will be the same as the four step process test.
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
One short answer question based on the facts of the case study, worth 10
marks. The question will be drawn from topics 9 or 10.
20 Multiple choice questions to test the students’ ability to apply their
knowledge of Topic 11, the comparative jurisdiction (i.e. Singapore
Malaysia, etc) studied that semester, worth 10 marks.
Students are provided with further guidance for their preparation for the final
examination throughout the semester and in the revision week.
STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of all relevant legislation, policies and
procedures relating to their rights and responsibilities as a student. These include:
the Student Charter,
the University’s Guiding Ethical Principles,
the University’s policy and statements on plagiarism and academic integrity,
copyright principles and responsibilities,
the University’s policies on appropriate use of software and computer facilities,
students’ responsibility to check enrolment,
deadlines, appeals, and grievance resolution,
student feedback,
other policies and procedures
electronic communication with students
See http://www.students.curtin.edu.au/administration/responsibilities.cfm for comprehensive
information on all of the above.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Telephone Contacts:
If you have a query relating to administrative matters such as:-
requests for deferment of study
difficulties with accessing online study materials
obtaining assessment results
Please contact the Teaching Support Officer or Unit Coordinator. Their contact
details are provided earlier.
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
Deferrals
Extension of dates for Assessment
Deferrals are only granted in extenuating circumstances such as illness.
The granting of a deferment or modification of assessment in accordance
with University policy requires appropriate supporting documentation,
such as a medical certificate.
Extenuating circumstances does NOT include holidays or poor time
management.
Please contact your local lecturer or Tracey Price, the Teaching Support Officer
in the first instance regarding an application for a deferred assessment.
It is your responsibility to check due dates
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
UNIT STUDY CALENDAR
If you have a printed copy of this document, you may like to tear off this final page and keep the
Study Calendar handy as you work through the unit.
Semester 2 2009
Week
Begin Date
Lecture/
Seminar
Pre-readings
Tutorial/Other
Assessment
Due
Orientation
20 July
1
1. 27 July
Introduction
and The
nature and
function of
law
Chapter 1 and 2
Government and
Law in Australia
2. 3 August
2
Sources of
law
Chapter 3 and 4
Legislation
Case-law
3. 10 August
3
Introduction
to contract
Chapter 6
Making a contract
Online Skills
Task 1
15%
4.
17 August
4
Four Step
Process
Workshop
Online Skills
Task 2
20%
5. 24 August Tuition Free Week
6. 31 August
5
Contents of a
contract
Chapter 7 pp45
– 51
Chapter 8 p58
No. 3
Contents of a
contract
(#1-5)Contract
Four Step
Process Test
15%
(Friday, 4 th
September @
6pm)
7. 7 September
6
Contents of a
contract
continued
Chapter 7 pp
51-54
The contents of a
contract (#6-9)
8. 14 September
7
Performance
and breach of
contract
Chapter 8
pp 55 to 60
Performance and
breach of
contract(#1-4)
9. 21 September 8
Remedies
Chapter 9
Remedies for
breach of contract
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
10. 28 September Tuition Free Week
11. 5 October
9
Liability in tort
law
Chapter 12
The scope of tort
law
12. 12 October
10
Business
Organisations
Chapter 17
Business
Organisations in
Australia
13. 19 October
11
International
Legal Systems
Supplementary
materials
14.
26 October
12
Revision
Case-studies for
revision
15. 2 November Study Week
16. 9 November Exams Week 1
17. 16 November Exams Week 2
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Business Law 100 Unit Outline
FEEDBACK FORM
Business Law 100
Please complete this form and place it inside your answer booklet.
Your marker will also complete the form and provide you with valuable feedback.
Student name_________________________
Number_________________________
Your Mark for this
Test is:
Marker________________________________
Day of Seminar________________________
Please mark on the scale below how you rank your answer against the following criteria:
I used the four step process (circle the appropriate answer) Yes No
_____________________________________________________________
CONTENT (Fill in the most relevant “О” like so “●”.)
Poor
Excellent
1. I have identified the correct principle of law. О О О О О
2. I have explained the rule of law with reference to
relevant authority; cases and/or legislation.
(This is the most important step).
3. I have applied the relevant legal concepts to the
case study/facts of the question.
О О О О О
О О О О О
4. I have drawn possible conclusions. О О О О О
COMMENTS:
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