BULE 402-DLX: Commercial Law Master Syllabus
Course Instructor:
Office Number:
Office Hours:
Email:
Course Meeting Times:
Required Course Materials:
- Required Textbook: Beatty and Samuelson “Business Law and the Legal Environment” Standard Edition, 9th edition (Cengage 2022) with MindTap access. The e-book and MindTap are part of Mason’s First Day program and are included in students’ tuition/fees. Links for the e-book and MindTap are in Canvas. Students do not need to purchase separately.
- MindTap: MindTap is an online resource offered by Cengage and it is included with the e-book. The e-book and MindTap are part of the Mason’s First Day program and you do not have to separately purchase. You will access MindTap through links on Canvas. The MindTap resource provides the e-book version of the required textbook, audio version of the textbook, flash cards, quizzes, critical thinking exercises, etc. MindTap also includes the required Homework assignments (see Homework section below).
Course Website:
- Course materials are available on Canvas, including the syllabus and lecture slides with audio lecture. Links to MindTap and MindTap Customer Support can also be found on Canvas. Grades and announcements will be posted on Canvas.
Course Description
Survey of commercial law emphasizing the Uniform Commercial Code. Topics include: Contracts, Sales, Business Organizations, Privacy and the Internet, and Ethics and CSR, among others.
Course Delivery
This course will be delivered in an online distance-learning format (100% online). All lectures, videos, homework, assignments, and tests are available on Canvas. The textbook is available for purchase in the e-book format with MindTap through Canvas. There are no class sessions scheduled face-to-face. However, significant virtual presence for lectures and assignments is expected. All lectures are asynchronous. Homework, Tests, and Writing Assignments/Class Discussions must be completed per the schedule below. Please do not enroll in this course, if you will not have significant and reliable access to the Internet and access to a reliable and updated computer during the course and especially during assignment windows. Extensions are not provided due to unreliable computers or Internet access. Turn off automatic updates. Do not access a timed assignment when you have unreliable Wi-Fi, or updates are scheduled to occur during the time you access the assignment (no extensions will be granted).
See George Mason University Common Course policies.
Important Notice: This course will be hosted on Canvas for the Spring 2025 semester. Please ensure you are familiar with accessing and navigating this platform. Resources and support are available at Canvas to help you get started. If you have any questions, contact the ITS Support Center for assistance.
Technology Requirements
You will need the following system requirements for this course:
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Windows: 10, 8, 7 or higher
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Mac: OS X 10.10 or higher
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iOS: 10.0+ (iPad only). Must have a compatible LMS integration.
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Web camera (internal or external) & microphone
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Respondus and Monitor are required for tests. Respondus Lockdown Browser must be downloaded to your computer for tests. See step-by-step guide.
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A reliable and working laptop/computer (no iPads or phones) and Internet and Canvas connection for all assignments during assignment windows are mandatory. Students must maintain access to Canvas and Respondus. Please keep in mind that technology issues generally cannot be resolved on weekends therefore plan ahead when completing assignments particularly for timed tests. Extensions and make-ups are not given due to laptop issues, failure to update, Internet and/or Canvas connectivity issues. Make sure your technology is working and updated in advance of assignments or use a computer in one of the George Mason University computer labs on campus if near campus.
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Firefox or Google Chrome (compatible with Canvas functionality)
College of Business Undergraduate Program Learning Goals
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Our students will demonstrate an understanding of the social, global, ethical, and legal contexts of business and will be able to reflect on the role of the individual in business.
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Our students will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply knowledge of professional skills necessary for success in business including effective business writing.
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Our students will demonstrate technical and analytic skills appropriate for success in business.
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Our students will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply knowledge of core business disciplines including accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and operations management.
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Our students will demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate for specialization in their majors.
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Our students will demonstrate an understanding of how research in the business disciplines contributes to knowledge and how such research is conducted.
College of Business Learning Goals
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Our students will be knowledgeable about the legal environment of business.
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Our students will understand the importance of ethical behavior in business.
Course Objectives
- Students will be able to Identify and explain fundamental legal concepts from a variety of subject areas of commercial law.
- Students will be able to apply fundamental legal concepts through legal reasoning to resolve business related legal disputes.
- Students will be able to identify ethical issues and understand the importance of ethical behavior in business.
- Students will be able to apply ethical analysis and reasoning to resolve business related ethical dilemmas.
- Students will be able to understand the impact of law on business and the role of business in shaping the legal and regulatory environment.
Occasionally, the professor will send announcements through George Mason University email. Please check George Mason email regularly. When contacting the professor by email, please give your name and section and use a professional tone, demeanor and format in your email. If you are emailing the professor with an administrative question, please review your syllabus before emailing. Most administrative questions are answered in the syllabus.
Disabilities
The instructor is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Such students should contact the university’s Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (703) 993-2474. This instructor must be notified of your request for any accommodations at the beginning of the semester and at least ten days prior to an assignment, if an accommodation for that assignment is being requested.
Religious Holidays
A list of religious holidays is available on the University Life Calendar webpage. Any student whose religious observance conflicts with a scheduled course activity must contact the Instructor at least 2 weeks in advance of the conflict date in order to make alternative arrangements.
Diversity and Inclusivity
This course embodies the perspective that we all have differing views and ideas and we each deserve the opportunity to share our thoughts. Therefore, we will conduct our discussions with respect for those differences. For further information on the university’s policy on diversity and inclusivity, please visit the Office of Access, Compliance and Community.
Honor Code
George Mason’s Honor Code prohibits cheating and attempted cheating, plagiarism, lying and stealing. Students are required to familiarize themselves with the George Mason Honor Code and follow it at all times. As a reminder, assignments, including tests, are to be your individual work. It is a violation of the honor code to discuss any assignment with students who have not completed it yet. No collaboration is allowed for homework, tests, quizzes, and assignments.
Assignments
Audio Lecture, Slides, Learning Videos
The slides, audio lectures, and learning videos are posted on Canvas in the Learning Modules. Read each chapter in the Module, listen to the corresponding audio lecture, watch any assigned learning videos, and take notes. Students should outline the material using the textbook, slides, lectures, videos, and any notes in preparation for assignments.
Homework (100 points)
MindTap Homework assignments can be found in the modules on Canvas. Each module has two assignments (Brief Hypotheticals and Check Your Understanding). You are given credit only for the MindTap homework assignments directly linked to the course (there are additional assignments in MindTap not assigned, but you may complete for additional preparation). Each assignment is worth either 5 or 10 points (15 points per chapter) and there are 315 points available over the entire semester. Assignments may only be completed three times, so do not waste an attempt by merely guessing. Points are earned based on correct responses, therefore be as prepared as possible for each homework assignment to increase learning and point accumulation.
To earn credit for an assignment you must “submit for grading” in MindTap and your grade will transfer to Canvas. If you start a homework assignment before the due date but fail to submit it for grading by the due date, you will earn a 0 score and it will not be changed. After you complete a homework assignment in MindTap make sure your grade has transferred to Canvas. Students are responsible for checking their MindTap grades in Canvas once the assignments are completed. Just because you have a grade in MindTap does not mean you have submitted your homework for grading by the due date. If you believe there is an error in the homework grading, please contact the professor within three days after the due date. After three days, the homework grade for that chapter stands. MindTap Homework assignments must be completed by noon Sunday of each week per the Schedule below. Because Homework can be completed any time before the due date, no extensions will be granted. Please plan ahead.
Students will be awarded Homework points in the course based on the number of accumulated MindTap points as follows (THERE IS NO ROUNDING, e.g., if a student earns 95.999 MindTap points, the Homework score will be 0):
265-315 MindTap points = 100 Homework points in the course
235-264 MindTap points = 90 Homework points in the course
200-234 MindTap points = 80 Homework points in the course
170-199 MindTap points = 70 Homework points in the course
135-169 MindTap points = 60 Homework points in the course
105-134 MindTap points = 50 Homework points in the course
0-104 MindTap points = 0 Homework points in the course
Quizzes (80 points)
Module Quizzes can be found in the Modules. There is one quiz for each module, 4 quizzes in total. Each quiz is comprised of five multiple choice questions drawn from the upcoming Module Test and each quiz is worth 20 points. Students have two attempts and 5 minutes to complete, therefore students should be as prepared as possible before attempting. You may use your own notes to complete the quizzes, however, you may NOT collaborate or use the Internet to complete quizzes. Module Quizzes must be completed by Noon Friday (except in Week 14) in the last week of each Module (per the Schedule below. Because Quizzes can be completed any time before the due date, no extensions will be granted. Please plan ahead.
Writing Assignments/Class Discussions (200 points)
There are three writing assignments/class discussions scheduled during the semester (in Modules 1-3) related to documents, articles, cases and/or videos. Each writing assignment is worth 100 points and the lowest score of three will be dropped. HOWEVER, IF A STUDENT DOES NOT COMPLETE WRITING ASSIGNMENT/CLASS DISCUSSION #1 ON TIME AND IN GOOD FAITH, THERE WILL BE A 50-POINT DEDUCTION FROM THE FINAL WRITING ASSIGNMENT SCORE. This drop policy is to facilitate student success by dropping a low score not to encourage students to miss an assignment arbitrarily and most students who do not complete the first writing assignment, struggle for the rest of the semester.
Expect to be challenged by these assignments. Therefore, it is imperative that students read (and/or watch) the Assigned Material, including reading the related chapters in the textbook, before posting a writing assignment to the discussion board. Please treat these assignments as serious writing assignments and spend sufficient time preparing your post (writing assignment) ahead of time. The rubric is strictly followed, and no one gets credit just for posting. You must provide a substantive post and two replies with citations (see below). The material for preparing for each Writing Assignment/Class Discussion is posted in each module labeled “Assigned Material”. The discussion board will include the prompt and instructions for posting and replying. There is one assigned in each of the four modules. Expect to spend significant time preparing your post and replies, do not wait until the last minute, otherwise you may be disappointed in your score. Because students have several weeks to read (and watch) the material and prepare a post and replies, the rubric will be applied strictly, and students will earn low or 0 scores if little time is spent on these assignments and instructions are not followed.
After reading (or watching) the Assigned Material for the Writing Assignment/Class Discussion, prepare your writing assignment (post) in a Word document. You may use the spell-check and grammar check features. Once you have prepared your writing assignment in Word, access your discussion board, create a new thread, and then cut and paste your writing assignment from your Word document into your thread on Canvas by NOON on Saturday of Weeks 3, 7, and 11 per the Schedule below. After copying your Writing Assignment to the thread, you MUST then upload your Writing Assignment (post) to SafeAssign within 5 minutes to avoid a 0 score. Unfortunately, Canvas does not allow for SafeAssign submission in the discussion board. If you do not upload your Writing Assignment (post) to SafeAssign, you will earn a 0 score on that assignment. Your initial post is worth 70 points and your replies (two are required) are worth 30 points, 100 points total for the writing assignment.
Your post (writing assignment) should be 300-400 words and each reply should be approximately 100 words. Showing substantive knowledge of the Assigned Material requires addressing the prompt in your Post and providing at least four accurate citations from the Assigned Material (following the instructions on Canvas), which support your analysis, and at least one in-text citation in each Reply. Do not quote or cut/paste from any material (except one quote permitted in Writing Assignment #1). Use your own words to show your own understanding with at least four accurate in-text citations to the Assigned Material following the instructions in your Post and one in each Reply. The highest scores typically have more than four citations in the Post and more than one in each Reply. Any reference to the Assigned Material in your Post/Replies requires an in-text citation to the material to which you refer. The four- citation minimum in the Post and one in each Reply is a guideline, the content of your post/reply may require more than citations. Cite to your sources in parenthesis according to the instructions on Canvas for the specific assignment.
You are required to reply to at least two of your classmates by NOON Sunday of Weeks 3, 7, and 11. Your replies must be substantive and must include citations to the Assigned Material in parenthesis according to the instructions on Canvas for the specific assignment. For example, your replies should extend the discussion or provide another perspective, but your replies should not be critical of your classmates’ work. Your replies are worth 30 points and you must provide two substantive replies with citations on time to be eligible for 30 points. Merely agreeing or disagreeing in your replies without showing substantive knowledge of the Assigned Material (with citations) is worth no credit. Also, restating what your post states or what the post you are addressing states is also inadequate. Show more substantive knowledge or different substantive knowledge in your replies and cite sources from the Assigned Material for the specific assignment.
Your post/replies (writing assignment) can only be based on the Assigned Material posted for the specific assignment, and other student posts. Internet resources and other resources outside the Assigned Material are prohibited, as is collaboration. If you do not read (or watch) the Assigned Material and you rely on information from the Internet or other unauthorized sources in your post, expect a 0 score and a referral to the Honor Committee. Do not quote from any material in your post/replies (except as permitted in Writing Assignment #1). Your post/replies must be your own original work, in essay format (no outline or bullet/numbered points), and you must show your own understanding and application. DO NOT QUOTE IN YOUR POST OR REPLIES (except for the one quote you must provide in Writing Assignment #1) OR CUT AND PASTE MATERIAL (more than 5 consecutive words) FROM ANY RESOURCE FROM THE COURSE OR OTHERWISE; PARAPHRASE IN YOUR OWN WORDS (even if quotes or citations are provided, it is still a violation of these policies and the Honor Code). I want your thoughts and analysis not someone else’s. Multiple students have been referred to the Honor Committee for violating these rules. These are manageable assignments and students do very well when they follow the instructions, including due dates.
Do not use prior knowledge in your post (e.g., information from another course) because other students do not have access to that information. There is plenty of information in the Assigned Material for the assignment. Also, do not extend the discussion to material or information outside what is assigned because other students cannot reply to material they cannot access. Remember these are writing assignments and you are being tested on the understanding and application of legal/ethical concepts in the course. Therefore, you will not be able to see other posts until you post and if you post a blank post or edit your first post, you will be graded on your initial post even if it was blank (be very careful before you submit and do not wait until the deadline). Please review the grading rubric posted on Blackboard before posting and replying. Because Writing Assignments/Class Discussions are open for several weeks and the lowest score is dropped, no make-ups or extensions will be granted. Please plan ahead.
The four Writing Assignment/Class Discussions are assigned as follows:
- Rulemaking (Module 1): read material posted in Module 1 and follow instructions in the Writing Assignment/Class Discussion #1 for posting and replying due. Post due Saturday, February 9 (Week 3)
- Sales Contract (Module 2): read material posted in Module 2 and follow instructions in the Writing Assignment/Class Discussion #2 for posting and replying. Post due Saturday, March 9 (Week 7).
- Consumer Protection (Module 3): read material posted in Module 3 and follow instructions in the Writing Assignment/Class Discussion #3 for posting and replying. Post due Saturday, April 13 (Week 11)
Tests (300 points)
There are four tests (one in each of four modules) scheduled during the semester. They can be found on Blackboard in each Module. Tests will consist of 50 multiple choice questions (two points each). Each test is worth 100 points and the lowest score will be dropped. Tests will be available during a 48-hour window from Noon Friday to Noon Sunday as noted in the Schedule below, except for Test #4, which will be available from 12:00 AM (midnight), Wednesday, May 7 to 11:59 PM, Thursday, May 8. All Tests must be completed within 50 minutes once started. Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor using a webcam is required for all four tests. In addition, you will only see one question at a time, questions are randomized, and you will not be able to backtrack. There is one test per module as noted on the syllabus. Test 4 will be given during the Final Exam period, but will not be cumulative, it will cover only Module 4 material. These are closed book tests, and you may not collaborate or use your course material, the Internet, or any other resource to complete the tests. Because Tests are available for 48 hours and the lowest score is dropped, there are no make-ups or extensions. Except for widespread Canvas issues impacting all students, technology issues are a student’s responsibility and typically cannot be resolved over a weekend, therefore it is highly recommended that you complete tests before the weekend a test is due. However, I do drop one test grade for any reason, including technology issues. But please plan ahead to avoid issues.
Business Ethics Quiz (20 points)
In Module 4, read Chapter 2 (Ethics and CSR), watch Professor Demory’s Business Ethics video presentation (plays in Google Chrome), and take handwritten notes on both. After you have taken notes on Chapter 2 and the video presentation, complete the Business Ethics Quiz in Module 4, which has 20 multiple choice questions, and it is worth 40 points (2 points each), however, in the grading scale the Quiz is worth only 20 points, but you may earn up to 20 extra credit points. Respondus Lockdown and Monitor are required for the Quiz, but you may use your handwritten notes during the quiz. Collaboration and use of the Business Ethics presentation, the Internet, slides, or the textbook are prohibited; you may ONLY use your handwritten notes based on the video presentation and Chapter 2.
Grading
You will be challenged in this course, particularly on tests and writing assignments. You are not given credit on writing assignments merely for “trying” or even for “trying your best”. You are expected to apply the legal concepts you are learning and follow the instructions, including due dates. Extra credit is made available to all students, not individual students based on personal circumstances.
NOTE: No collaboration is permitted on tests, writing assignments, quizzes, discussion board/writing assignments, or MindTap exercises unless directed to do so by the professor. All work must be completed solely by the student, without help from any other person or resource – including online resources, apps, or AI (such as ChatGPT). Any violation of this policy will result in a 0 for the final grade, and referral to the GMU Office of Academic Integrity for an honor code violation.
Grading in this course is as follows (standard rounding):
| MindTap Homework | 100 points |
| Module Quizzes | 80 points |
| Business Ethics Quiz (Module 4) | 20 points |
| Writing Assignment/Class Disc. (2 out of 3) | 200 points |
| Tests (3 out of 4) | 300 points |
| TOTAL POINTS | 700 POINTS |
| Course Avg. | Points | Grade |
| At discretion of professor | A+ | |
| 92 - 100%+ | 641-700 | A |
| 90 - 91%+ | 627-640 | A- |
| 88 - 89%+ | 613-626 | B+ |
| 82 - 87 %+ | 571-612 | B |
| 80 - 81%+ | 557-570 | B- |
| 78 - 79%+ | 543-556 | C+ |
| 70 - 77%+ | 487-542 | C |
| 60 - 69%+ | 417-486 | D |
| Below 60% | 0-416 | F |
Please do not contact the professor to calculate your grade prior to the deadline for final grades or to determine what grade needs to be achieved on deliverables to get a desired grade in the course. Students are expected to monitor their grades on Blackboard and calculate their grades as the semester progresses.
Schedule of Assignments, Lectures and Exams
| Week | Topic | Assignment | Due Date |
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Week 1 Jan. 21-26 Module 1 |
Common Law, Statutory Law, and Administrative Law |
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Week 2 Jan. 26-Feb. 2 Module 1 |
Constitutional Law |
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Week 3 Feb. 2-9 Module 1 |
Privacy and the Internet |
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Week 4 Feb. 9-16 Module 1 |
Intellectual Property |
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Week 5 Feb. 16-23 Module 2 |
Introduction to Sales and The Agreement: Offers and Acceptances |
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Week 6 Feb. 23-March 2 Module 2 |
Consideration and Legality |
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Week 7 March 2-9 Module 2 |
Voidable Contracts and Written Contracts |
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Week 8 (Spring Break March 10-16) March 16-23 Module 2 |
Contract Termination and Remedies |
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Week 9 March 23-30 Module 3 |
Introduction to Sales |
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Week 10 March 30-April 6 Module 3 |
Ownership, Risk, and Warranties |
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Week 11 April 6-13 Module 3 |
Performance and Remedies |
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Week 12 April 13-20 Module 3 |
Negligence, Strict Liability, and Product Liability and Consumer Protection |
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Week 13 April 20-27 Module 4 |
Ethics and CSR and Starting a Business |
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Week 14 April 27-May 4 Module 4 |
Life and Death of a Corporation and Management Duties |
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| FINAL EXAM |
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Disclaimer: The syllabus may be altered as the semester progresses, as needed, and does not create a contract. The information provided in this course is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this course is meant or intended to create an attorney-client relationship. For specific legal advice relating to your situation, contact a competent attorney in your jurisdiction.
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