UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED

MGMT 135: BUSINESS LAW COURSE SYLLABUS

FALL 2024

INSTRUCTOR: PROFESSOR MARK T. HARRIS, J.D.

OFFICE HOURS: BY APPOINTMENT

COURSE READER: TBD

[email protected]

This course will be taught in two parts. First, we shall explore the
constitutional foundations of U.S. law pertaining to due process and equal
protection. Next, we shall examine the functional and conceptual analysis
of legal principles relevant to commercial business transactions. Topics
covered will include the following: the historical and constitutional
foundations of American law; tort law; intellectual property law; banking;
bankruptcy and contracts.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The course objectives for this course are as follows:

To provide students with an understanding of the historical and

constitutional foundations of U.S. law;
To provide students with an understanding of civil rights and the laws
affecting the unseen and disenfranchised;

To provide students with a foundational understanding of civil law including

torts; intellectual property; banking; landlord tenant; creditors’ rights and
bankruptcy; and contracts law; and

To provide students with an understanding of the operation of international

law.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

(1). The United States Constitution

(2). BUSINESS LAW TODAY, The Essentials, Text and Summarized

Cases, Thirteenth Edition, Miller, Cengage Publishing (U.S.A.) (2022)

Soft-cover Edition ISBN: 978-0-357-63522-3

NOTE: Consider alternative book “purchasing” options including:

Purchase a used textbook;

Rent a textbook on Amazon (Cost to rent the e-book is only $49.49

and to buy e-version is $86.49); or
Purchase ONLY e-chapters we will use

(3). LAW 101, Fourth Edition, Feinman, Oxford University Press (2014)

ISBN: 978-0-19-934169-6

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS:
Washington Post Podcast:

“Constitutional:” Ancestry; Nationality and Race

https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/constitutional/

@profmarktharris on X (formerly Twitter) It is your responsibility to

monitor these “tweets” on a weekly basis throughout the semester.

Various articles and videos assigned throughout the semester.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. This course will be conducted by means of lecture, group discussion,

student team projects, and case studies. This course is dependent on
the full participation of each student; therefore, class attendance is
highly recommended. Additionally, arriving late to class, or leaving
class before dismissal, will affect your grade!

2. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the

assigned readings. The Socratic method will be used extensively;
therefore, students should be prepared to lead the daily in-class
analysis of a variety of cases selected from the readings. Each topic
outlined in the syllabus will be discussed on the date indicated.

3. Students are expected to use a wi- enabled device for each class
session and to utilize their device in a manner than is non- disruptive
and respectful of the decorum of the classroom. Assignments will be
performed exclusively on an electronic basis. Handwritten work will
not be accepted under any circumstances.
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 4. Students will be given unannounced quizzes during the semester.
The quizzes will be open-book and open-notes. Quizzes must be
submitted via Canvas through the “Assignments” tab within the
speci ed timeframe. Late submissions will NOT be accepted!
There will be no opportunity to make-up a missed quiz.

5. Students will be given two mid-term examinations during the

semester. The mid-terms will be open book and open notes. Midterms
must be submitted via Canvas through the “Assignments” tab within
the speci ed timeframe. Late submissions will NOT be accepted!
There will be no opportunity to make-up a missed mid- term
examination.

6. Students will be expected to complete a nal examination that will be

open book and open notes. The nal exam will occur during the
nal REGULAR class session unless otherwise indicated. The
nal examination may be cumulative covering material from the entire
semester. The nal exam must be submitted via Canvas through the
“Assignments” tab within the speci ed timeframe. Late
submissions will NOT be accepted! There will be no opportunity to
make-up the nal examination.

7. There may be a variety of in-class assignments that will be completed

by the student in one or more group exercises.

8. ANY assignment, including quizzes; midterms or the nal exam,

turned in AFTER the submission time has expired, will receive
ZERO credit!!! Make sure to submit your work on a TIMELY basis!
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 GRADING:

The nal grade in the course will be determined on the following basis:

“Group” Assignment 10 points

Quizzes 20 points (10 points each)

Mid-Term #1: 20 points

Mid-Term #2: 20 points

Final Examination: 30 points

*Extra Credit: TBD

GRADING SCALE:

98-100 A+

95-97 A

90-94 A-

87-89 B+

83-86 B

80-82 B-

76-79 C+

73-75 C

70-72 C-
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67-69 D+
65-66 D
60-64 D-

Sub 60 F

SEGMENT ONE: THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

WEEKS 1 and 2 August 29, September 3, September 5

TOPIC(s): Welcome and Introduction

Syllabus Overview and Course Expectations

Current Topics In the News:

Is the President of the United States “Above the Law?”

 https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/
2024-07-01/above-the-law-in-some-cases-supreme-court-gives-trump-and-
future-presidents-a-special-exception

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf

“Criminalization” of the Unhoused

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-03/as-san-
francisco-clears-homeless-camps-where-will-people-go

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/us/san-francisco-
homeless-london-
breed.html#:~:text=Breed%2C%20a%20Democrat%2C%20has%20vowed,
jail%20time%20on%20the%20table.

https://www.aclu-wa.org/story/johnson-v-grants-pass-
breakdown-case-supreme-court-and-what-it-could-mean-people-
experiencing

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/
23-175_19m2.pdf

Historical Foundations of U.S. Law

The Magna Carta

The Federalist Papers

The Articles of Confederation

U.S. Constitution 2.0

NOTE: NO IN-PERSON CLASS SESSIONS SEPTEMBER 5, 10, 12

READING/VIDEO/PODCAST ASSIGNMENT:

BUSINESS LAW TODAY, The Essentials, Text and Summarized Cases,

Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 1

LAW 101, Chapter 2

Overview of U.S. Constitution Articles I, II and III

Focus on U.S. Constitution Amendments 5 and 14

Constitutional PodcastS: Ancestry; Nationality and Race

https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/constitutional/

WEEKS 3 and 4 September 10, 12 and 17, 19

TOPIC: “Person Under the Law”

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT:

“Person Under The Law” 10 Points

What does it mean to be considered a legal “person” under U.S. Law?

Present each of the following cases as a “case brief” in your own words

What is at the “core” of the legal issue(s) presented in each case relevant
to the question of “personhood?”

Prepare a Powerpoint presentation to share with your classmates outlining

the key points from your assigned case.

In order to receive extra credit for this assignment, you MUST attend and
participate in EVERY session your group holds in preparation of your extra
credit assignment. A student’s failure to actively participate in EACH extra
credit session, or miss the oral presentation, will result in the student being
awarded a score of ZERO for the extra credit assignment!

Cases:

Dred Scott vs, Sandford, 60 U.S. 393 (1857)

United States ex rel. Standing Bear v. Crook, 25 F.Case, 695

(C.C.D.Neb. 1879)

United States vs. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898)

Korematsu vs. U.S., 323 U.S. 214 (1944)

Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 597 U.S. 215 (2022)

WEEK 5 September 24, 26

********IN-CLASS EXTRA CREDIT PRESENTATIONS*********

WEEK 6 October 1, 3

Case Analysis Using “IRAC(DD)”

Janet Lawson v. Quality Market Exercise

MIDTERM #1 REVIEW

MIDTERM #1

SEGMENT TWO: CIVIL LAW

WEEK 7 October 8, 10

TOPIC:

TORTS

INTENTIONAL TORTS

Against the Person

Against Property

READING ASSIGNMENT:

BUSINESS LAW TODAY, The Essentials, Text and

Summarized Cases, Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 4

LAW 101, Chapter 5

WEEK 8 October 15, 17

TOPIC:

NEGLIGENCE

Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad

248 N.Y. 339, 162 N.E. 99 (1928)

STRICT LIABILITY

WEEK 9 October 22, 24

TOPIC:
 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Patents

Copyrights

Trademarks

READING ASSIGNMENT:

BUSINESS LAW TODAY, The Essentials, Text and

Summarized Cases, Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 5

SEGMENT THREE: FINANCE LAW

WEEK 10 October 29, 31

TOPIC:

BANKING LAW

READING ASSIGNMENT:

BUSINESS LAW TODAY, The Essentials, Text and

Summarized Cases, Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 14

WEEK 11 November 5, 7

TOPIC:

BANKRUPTCY AND CREDITORS’ RIGHTS

READING ASSIGNMENT:
 BUSINESS LAW TODAY, The Essentials, Text and
Summarized Cases, Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 15

WEEK 12 November 12, 14

MIDTERM REVIEW

MIDTERM #2

SEGMENT FOUR: CONTRACTS LAW

WEEK 13 November 19, 21

TOPIC:

CONTRACTS: FORMATION; AGREEMENT AND

CONSIDERATION

READING ASSIGNMENT:

BUSINESS LAW TODAY, The Essentials, Text and

Summarized Cases, Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 8

WEEK 14 November 26, 28

NO CLASSES. HAPPY THANKSGIVING

WEEK 15 December 3, 5

TOPIC:

CONTRACTS: LEGALITY AND ENFORCEABILITY;

CAPACITY
READING(S):

BUSINESS LAW TODAY, The Essentials, Text and

Summarized Cases, Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 9

WEEK 16 December 10, 12

FINAL EXAM REVIEW

FINAL EXAM