1.0 Course Description

1.1 Overview of content and purpose of the course.

The content of this seminar will vary significantly from semester to semester. The content will have a strong emphasis on current events. Each semester the instructor will focus on one aspect of the relationship between government and business. The focus may be on a particular type of law (e.g., advertising law) or on a particular relationship (e.g., corporations and their officers) or on a particular transaction (e.g., initial public offerings of securities). Ethical issues and international law issues will be explored in depth. Each student will produce a major research project, including in class presentation of research results, which will be an integral part of the course content.

 

1.2 For whom course is intended.

This is an elective course primarily intended for students in the College of Business Administration. This may be taken as an elective by students outside the CBA.

 

1.3 Prerequisites of the course.

LAWS 3920, its equivalent, or permission of department Chair.

 

1.4 Unusual circumstances of the course.

None.

 

2.0 Objectives

2.1 List of performance objectives stated in terms of the student.

Students will develop an in depth understanding of the interplay between business decisions and legal constraints for the area of focus. Included in this understanding will be ethical issues and international issues.

 

Students will engage in a significant inter-disciplinary research project in the area of focus. The results of the student's research should be at the quality level appropriate for publication in a business practitioners' journal.

 

3.0 Content and Organization

3.1 List of topics to be covered in chronological sequence.

The content of this seminar will vary significantly from semester to semester. The content will have a strong emphasis on current events. Each semester the instructor will focus on one aspect of the relationship between government and business. The focus may be on a particular type of law, a particular relationship, or a particular transaction. Ethical issues and international law issues will be explored in depth.

 

The first half of the semester will include an aggressive set of reading assignments from a bibliography delivered to the students at the first class meeting. This bibliography will be drawn from academic law journals (both in law and the other disciplines related to the area of focus), well respected practitioner journals (e.g., Fortune, Forbes, etc.), and the popular press (e.g., The Times of London, the Wall Street Journal, etc.).

 

Early in the semester the instructor will devote several contact hours to coaching students on how to: (a) select and frame a research topic; (b) marshal library and other resources, (c) construct a research paper, and (d) presentation of research results. Extensive use will be made of data bases, such as LEXIS-NEXIS and the web, both as search tools and as sources of full text law information.

 

The second half of the semester will include presentations by students of the results of their major research projects. Ample time will be provide for follow-up questions from other students and the instructor. The presenting student will be expected to be able to defend the research from reasonably anticipated questions and critiques.

 

4.0 Teaching Methodology

4.1 Methods to be used.

The instructor will select the readings for the first portion of the semester, while the students' research projects will set the readings for the second portion of the semester. Outside speakers will be used extensively.

There will be limited lecturing by the instructor. Mostly, the instructor will lead the students in an exploration of the selected readings. The Socratic Method will be an important teaching tool.

Student presentations must be done at a professional level of quality. All of the students must deliver their presentation making using one of the multimedia presentation tools, such as Harvard Graphics or PowerPoint, which are available to the students via the CBA LAN.

The instructor may require students to participate in field trips to governmental agencies and/or to the corporate offices of regulated businesses.

 

4.2 Student role in the course.

The student must take an active role. Students must be prepared to contribute to class discussions and analysis of the assigned readings. Students must conduct a significant research project. Students must present their research results using a multimedia presentation tool. A major part of the course will include the students' demonstration of their team building and team work skills.

 

4.3 Contact hours.

This is a three credit hour course and requires a full semester of contact hours (i.e., 45). This course may be offered in a variety of formats (e.g., MWF, TR, or as a "night" class.

 

5.0 Evaluation.

5.1 Types of student projects what will be the basis for evaluating student performance, specifying the distinction between undergraduate and graduate courses if applicable.

The main student project will be an interdisciplinary research project, and presentation of the results to a questioning class. Additionally, students must make significant contributions to in class discussions of the readings. Lastly, there will be no more than two exams. This seminar is solely an undergraduate course.

 

5.2 Basis for determining the final grade (e.g., weighting of various student projects), specifying the distinction between undergraduate and graduate-level courses, if applicable.

The exact weighting will vary from semester to semester and from instructor to instructor. However, a typical weighting might be:

10% = exam 1 over bibliography readings and in class discussions

40% = research paper

20% = presentation of research results, including defense

20% = class participation

10% = final exam, focuses on presentations of research results

Each instructor shall provide each student at the beginning of the semester a written explanation of the graded events and their weightings. This seminar is solely an undergraduate course.

 

5.3 Grading scale.

The grades will be reported in a fashion consistent with the UNO's standard grading policy: i.e., A = superior, B = above average, C = average, D = below average, F = failing. Each instructor shall provide each student at the beginning of the semester a written explanation of the grading scale to be used in that course. This written explanation shall list which percentages are associated with which letter grades.

 

6.0 Resource Material

6.1 Textbook(s) or other required readings used in course.

Jacobstein and Mersky, Fundamentals of Legal Research. Fourth Edition. Foundation Press: Mineola, NY, 1995.

Turabian, Kate L., A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Sixth Edition. University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1996.

A Uniform System of Citation. Fifteenth Edition. Harvard Law Review Association: Boston, MA, 1995.

 

6.2 Other suggested reading materials, if any.

Clarkson, Miller, Jentz, and Cross, West's Business Law: Text, Cases, Legal, Ethical, Regulatory, and International Environment. Sixth Edition. West Pub. Co.: Saint Paul, MN, 1994.

 

6.3 Other sources for the gathering of information, if any.

Appendix Q of West's Business Law text is entitled "A Guide to Research in Business Law -- Including Using the Internet." This is very useful.

 

6.4 Current bibliography of resources for student's information.

The suggested bibliography will vary by semester as the focus of the course will vary by semester.

Kohn, Alfie, No Contest: The Case Against Competition; Why we lose in our race to win. Houghton Mifflin Co.: Boston, MA, 1986.

Meltsner, Arnold J., Rules for Rulers: The Politics of Advice. Temple University Press: Philadelphia, PA, 1990.