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BUSINESS LAW 422
THE LAW OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Course Outline
University of Alberta, Faculty of Business Department of Marketing, Business Economics & Law
Spring Term 2009 Instructor: Douglas Peterson Time: MTWRF 10:30 – 11:40 Class Room: Bus 3-5
Office: 1-33 Business Building Telephone: 492-7578
Fax: 492-7578
E-mail:
Web Site: Ulearn/Blackboard website Office Hours: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to give an introduction to the law pertaining to business organizations. We will examine the different forms of business structures such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and of course, corporations. The legal structure of the corporation and how one incorporates will be examined. In addition, the relationship between the corporation and other parties, both external and internal will be studied. We will also review capitalization of a corporation, the distribution of securities (the law of securities regulation, as it overlaps with corporate law), and the role of government in all of this. In addition we will look at trusts and money laundering.
Law as an academic subject places somewhat different demands on a student than would be encountered in many other university courses. It requires that the student be able to communicate clearly and effectively even when dealing with fact situations in which there is not always a clear right or wrong answer.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
(1) Managing the Law, The Legal Aspects of Doing Business. 2nd Edition, McInnes, Mitchell; Prentice Hall
(2) Course Notes: Provided on the class website
(3) Text Book website
exercises, online glossary, and links to relevant websites.
2 EVALUATION
Exam Value Date Chapters Covered
Midterm 40% Thursday, May 21, 2009 Chapters 20-22, Securities Final 60% Thursday, June 11, 2009 (15:00 –
18:00)
Chapters 23-25; Trusts, Money Laundering
Examinations: You will be graded in this course by means of your performance on two closed book examinations based on the material in the text and the material presented in the lectures.
Examinations will be a combination of multiple choice and true/false questions on the textbook, handouts and material covered in class. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure they have all the required material. The final exam is NOT cumulative.
Students are expected to write the examinations at the assigned times. No make-up exams will be given for missed midterms. If a student misses the mid-term examination due to illness (doctor’s note required) or other valid reason approved by the instructor, the weight of the mid-term will be added on to the final exam. If a student does not have a valid reason for missing the midterm, then the student will receive a score of 0 on the midterm. If you must miss the final exam you can make arrangements to write a deferred final according to University Policy.
University Calendar link:
Grading: You will be graded according to University policy found at:
It is my desire to be readily accessible to students. If you are having difficulty with any part of the course, please come and see me during the assigned office hours or by appointment. The best time to ask questions is after class. The best way to contact me is by email.
Lectures:
The lectures will be in the following order: Chapters 20, 21, 22, Securities, 23, 24, 25, Trusts, Money Laundering.
UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS
"Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar."
(GFC 29 SEP 2003)
"The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an
offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University."
