COMMLAW 1004 - Commercial Law I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

An introduction to the legal system including the roles of the Constitution, parliaments and courts. An introduction to the basic rules of commercial law including breach of contract, the tort of negligence, liability for unsafe products, misleading conduct and unconscionable conduct.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code COMMLAW 1004
    Course Commercial Law I
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Quota A quota may apply
    Course Description An introduction to the legal system including the roles of the Constitution, parliaments and courts. An introduction to the basic rules of commercial law including breach of contract, the tort of negligence, liability for unsafe products, misleading conduct and unconscionable conduct.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Mark Giancaspro


    Course Coordinator

    Name: Dr Mark Giancaspro
    Location: Room 3.04, Ligertwood Building
    Telephone: (08) 8313 0879 (work)
    Email: mark.giancaspro@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Website: www.myuni.adelaide.edu.au
    Consultations: Appointments can be made (on short notice) by email or telephone, at a mutually convenient time.
     
    Contact details for other teaching staff can be found on the course website on MyUni.

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    COMMLAW 1004 Commercial Law I

    Semester 2, 2015

    Week

    Dates

    Lecture topic

    Seminar topic

    1

    July 27-31

    The Australian Legal System

    NO SEMINARS

     

    2

    Aug 3-7

    Contracts: Formation

    The Australian Legal System: Regulation of the Australian Economy

    3

    Aug 10-14

     

    Contracts: Terms

    Contracts: Formation

    4

    Aug 17-21

     

    Contracts: Termination and Remedies

    Contracts: Terms

    5

    Aug 24-28

     

    Contracts: Termination and Remedies

    Contracts: Termination and Remedies

    6

    Aug 31-Sept 4

    Business Structures and E-Commerce

     

    Contracts: Termination and Remedies

    7

    Sept 7-11

    Vitiating Factors (Misinformation)

     

    Business Structures and E-Commerce

    8

    Sept 14-18

    Vitiating Factors (Abuse of Power)

     

    Vitiating Factors (Misinformation)

    MSB

    Sept 21-25

    NO LECTURE – MID-SEMESTER BREAK

     

    NO SEMINARS

    MSB

    Sept 28-Oct 2

    NO LECTURE – MID-SEMESTER BREAK

     

    NO SEMINARS

    9

    Oct 5-9

    Tort of Negligence

     

    Vitiating Factors (Abuse of Power)

    10

    Oct 12-16

    Tort of Negligence

     

    Tort of Negligence

    11

    Oct 19-23

    Unsafe Products

     

    Tort of Negligence

    12

    Oct 26-30

    Revision

     

    Unsafe Products

    SWOT

     

     

     

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    This course is designed to encourage students to:
    1. Develop an understanding of the ways in which legal rules are made and legal disputes are decided;
    2. Learn to analyse legal disputes and to formulate legal arguments;
    3. Become familiar with the fundamental legal rules governing commercial behaviour in Australia;
    4. Gain practice in analysing statutes and case reports.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 3
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1, 2
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 2
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3 , 4
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 2, 3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Reading / Texts

    The prescribed textbook for this course is Commercial Law I (Pearson, 2nd ed, 2015), compiled by John Tretola. The book is a custom prepared version of Andy Gibson and Douglas Fraser, Business Law (Pearson, 8th ed, 2014). All assigned readings will be stipulated in the Study Guide and Reading List.

    Recommended Resources
    A series of recommended readings and resources are given for each learning week. These are outlined in the Study Guide and Reading List.

    Online Learning

    The MyUni course page for this course can be accessed at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/.

     Besides this Course Profile and the Study Guide, students can use MyUni to access copies of the PowerPoint slides used in lectures, recordings of lectures, assessment tasks and other course materials. Students are expected to check MyUni regularly to keep up to date with these materials and additional learning resources throughout the course.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Students in this course are expected to attend all lectures throughout the semester plus one one-hour seminar each week.

    The lectures will offer an overview of the topics covered in the course, according to the schedule set out below. Each lecture will include opportunities for students to ask questions on the issues covered and engage in the discussion.

    The seminars involve small group discussion of selected issues covered in the course and are designed to encourage active engagement with the themes of the course. The seminars are meant to be more of a guided, open forum for discussion and analysis, and will help students to think critically about the many significant issues addressed throughout the course. The questions assigned for each seminar will assist in providing some direction for this discussion.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    For 3-unit courses, students are expected to devote an average of 12 hours per week to their studies in it, including classes. Students in this course are expected to attend all lectures throughout the semester plus one one-hour seminar each week.

    The assigned readings provide not only a context for the material covered in the lectures but for the seminars.

    Copies of PowerPoint presentation slides used in the lectures will be made available on MyUni ahead of each lecture. These provide a basic outline of the points covered, though they should not be seen as a substitute for attendance or for the assigned readings. Some students may find it useful to print the slides out in advance of the relevant lectures and use them as a basis for taking notes.

    The lectures are intended to provide an overview of the relevant themes and principles and to put them into context. They are not meant to tell students everything they need to know, but to serve as a guide for their own study. That study should involve, at the very least, reading through the material in the Study Guide and any other directed readings, and preparation of answers to the questions set for seminars.

    Learning Activities Summary

    Week

    Dates

    Lecture topic

    Seminar topic

    1

    July 27-31

    The Australian Legal System

    NO SEMINARS

     

    2

    Aug 3-7

    Contracts: Formation

    The Australian Legal System: Regulation of the Australian Economy

    3

    Aug 10-14

     

    Contracts: Terms

    Contracts: Formation

    4

    Aug 17-21

     

    Contracts: Termination and Remedies

    Contracts: Terms

    5

    Aug 24-28

     

    Contracts: Termination and Remedies

    Contracts: Termination and Remedies

    6

    Aug 31-Sept 4

    Business Structures and E-Commerce

     

    Contracts: Termination and Remedies

    7

    Sept 7-11

    Vitiating Factors (Misinformation)

     

    Business Structures and E-Commerce

    8

    Sept 14-18

    Vitiating Factors (Abuse of Power)

     

    Vitiating Factors (Misinformation)

    MSB

    Sept 21-25

    NO LECTURE – MID-SEMESTER BREAK

     

    NO SEMINARS

    MSB

    Sept 28-Oct 2

    NO LECTURE – MID-SEMESTER BREAK

     

    NO SEMINARS

    9

    Oct 5-9

    Tort of Negligence

     

    Vitiating Factors (Abuse of Power)

    10

    Oct 12-16

    Tort of Negligence

     

    Tort of Negligence

    11

    Oct 19-23

    Unsafe Products

     

    Tort of Negligence

    12

    Oct 26-30

    Revision

     

    Unsafe Products

    SWOT

     

     

     







    Specific Course Requirements
    None.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment item

    % of final mark

    Due date

    Individual or Group

    Redeemable

    Learning outcomes

    Online Quiz

    10

    02/09/2015

    Individual

    No

    1-4

    Assignment

    30

    09/10/2015

    Individual

    No

    1-4

    Exam

    60

    Exam Period

    Individual

    No

    1-4

    Assessment Related Requirements

    Each piece of assessment is compulsory.  None of the assessment is redeemable.

    Assessment Detail

    The assessment components are as follows:

       

      1.  Online Quiz (10%)

       

      Release Date: The Online Quiz will be available from 9:00am on Monday 31 August 2015 via the relevant link on MyUni.

      Due Date: The Online Quiz must be completed by 2:00pm on Wednesday 2 September 2015.

      Details: This Online Quiz will require students to answer a 20-question multiple choice quiz on the Australian legal system and the principles of contract law taught in Weeks 1-5. Students will be permitted to attempt the quiz multiple times during the assessment window, with the highest grade attained standing.

       

      2.  Assignment (30%)

       

      Release Date: The Assignment will be released at 2:00pm on Friday 18 September 2015.

      Due Date: The Assignment must be submitted by 2:00pm on Friday 9 October 2015.

      Details: This exercise will require students to answer a legal problem question similar to the kind that will be encountered in the exam. The Assignment must be submitted via the Turnitin submission box on MyUni. Further instructions regarding the Assignment will be contained in the question paper.

       

      3.   Exam (60%)

       

      Release Date: University exam period (TBA).
      Due Date:
      N/A

      Details: The Exam will be three hours in duration, with all course material being potentially examinable. The exam will be open book. Further information regarding the Exam will be delivered to students closer to the date.

       

      Submission
      1. Students must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
      2. The assignment must be submitted via 'Turn-It-In' on MyUni. Details for electronic submission through Turnitin will be provided with the assignment instructions. By submitting your assignment you are agreeing to the following:
        1. I declare that all material in this assessment is my own work except where there is clear acknowledgement and reference to the work of others. I have read the Policy on Cheating in Examinations and Related Forms of Assessment. I have also read the University's Plagiarism Policy.
        2. I give permission for my assessment work to be reproduced and submitted to other academic staff for the purposes of assessment and to be copied, submitted and retained in a form suitable for electronic checking of plagiarism.
      3. Late Submission: Where an assignment is submitted after the due date and without an extension, penalties of 5% of the total mark possible will be deducted for every 24 hours or part thereof that it is late, including each day on a weekend. For example, an essay graded 63% will have 5% deducted if it is one hour late, for a final grade of 58%, 10% if it is 25 hours late, etc.  This penalty may be increased where the assignment is to be completed in a period of less than a week. 
      4. Word Length: Assignments which exceed the allocated length (word length or page limit) will be subject to a penalty of 5% of total marks possible per 100 words or part thereof (i.e. with a word limit of 3,000, an essay graded 63% will have 5% deducted if it is 3001 words long, for a final grade of 58%, 10% if it is 3101 words long, etc). Words are calculated including all footnotes and headings within the text but excluding cover page information, separate bibliography or list of sources. Quotations and all referencing information are included in the word count. If the word limit is seriously misstated, this may be regarded as academic dishonesty.
      5. Extensions: Requests for extensions must be made via email to the course coordinator. Extensions will be granted only for unexpected illness, hardship or on compassionate grounds in accordance with University Policy. Work commitments, travel, holidays or sporting engagements are not unexpected circumstances.
      1. Style of written work: All written work in the Law school is required to comply with the approved Law School style guide, the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. However, on account of the fact that this topic is taught into the Business School and is not law-specific, Harvard or APA referencing will also be accepted.
      2. Turnaround time: The assignment for this course will be returned to students within 3 weeks of the submission date. Written individual feedback will be provided on each paper.
      Course Grading

      Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

      M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
      Grade Mark Description
      FNS   Fail No Submission
      F 1-49 Fail
      P 50-64 Pass
      C 65-74 Credit
      D 75-84 Distinction
      HD 85-100 High Distinction
      CN   Continuing
      NFE   No Formal Examination
      RP   Result Pending

      Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

      Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

      Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

    1. Student Feedback

      The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

      SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    2. Student Support
      Occupational Health and Safety Arrangements
      The School is committed to upholding the University’s Policy on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S). All staff and students have a legal responsibility to act in the interests of themselves and others with respect to OH&S. To assist us, and to comply with your responsibilities, you are required to become informed about emergency evacuation procedures and the evacuation areas for the classes you attend.

      Evacuation Procedures
      Staff and students must leave the building via the fire stairs once the notice to evacuate has been given. The lifts should not be used. Those experiencing difficulties leaving the building should notify the floor warden. Staff and students may return to the building only after the Warden has granted permission.

      Medical Emergencies & First Aid In a life threatening situation only- telephone 8303 5444.

      Representatives and Officers
      First Aid officers are trained to deal with first aid situations. School Safety Officers represent the Head of School in OH&S matters. The elected OH&S Representative can represent staff and students in OH&S issues.

      Accident and Incident Reporting
      OH&S legislation demands that all accidents and near-miss incidents be reported to the School Manager or Head of School. In the event of an accident or incident the person involved, and their supervisor, must complete an Accident/Incident Report and Investigation Form, within 48 hours of the accident/incident. A copy of the completed form is to be forwarded to the OH&S Safety Officer. Copies of the form are available from the OH&S Representative or Safety Officer.
    3. Policies & Guidelines
    4. Fraud Awareness

      Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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