TECHCOMM 3007NA - Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship

Ngee Ann Academy - Quadmester 4 - 2015

The aim of this course is to enable students from a variety of backgrounds to understand legal aspects of entrepreneurship. The knowledge they gain will enable them to seek appropriate legal advice and identify the areas that they need to address when engaged in entrepreneurial activity. On completion of this course, students should be able to display a broad understanding of Commercial Law and how it will impact on the activities and plans of entrepreneurial activity. The student should be able to identify the specific legal issue that an entrepreneur needs to understand at various stages of venture development. The course covers key issues in Contract Law; the implications of the Law of Agency; key aspects of Consumer Protection law; Restrictive trade practices; legal forms of business organisation; Law of Torts; Law of Trusts; Intellectual Property; Bankruptcy; Ethics.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code TECHCOMM 3007NA
    Course Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
    Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre
    Term Quadmester 4
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Ngee Ann Academy
    Units 3
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Course Description The aim of this course is to enable students from a variety of backgrounds to understand legal aspects of entrepreneurship. The knowledge they gain will enable them to seek appropriate legal advice and identify the areas that they need to address when engaged in entrepreneurial activity.

    On completion of this course, students should be able to display a broad understanding of Commercial Law and how it will impact on the activities and plans of entrepreneurial activity. The student should be able to identify the specific legal issue that an entrepreneur needs to understand at various stages of venture development. The course covers key issues in Contract Law; the implications of the Law of Agency; key aspects of Consumer Protection law; Restrictive trade practices; legal forms of business organisation; Law of Torts; Law of Trusts; Intellectual Property; Bankruptcy; Ethics.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Gary Hancock

    Teaching Staff

    Term 4
    Name: Kathleen Metzger

    Short Bio:

    Kathleen A. Metzger has been active as a legal consultant, coach and educator in Singapore since 2006. Formerly chief legal officer for several multinational and start-up companies, she most recently served as legal counsel for Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases in Singapore. Previously she was General Counsel for Behringer Holdings (electronics for music industry), Vice President Legal Affairs for Fiskars Brands, Inc. (consumer products), Director, Legal and Financial Affairs for Pharmasset Inc. (start-up biotech), and Attorney, Finance and International for Dow Corning Corporation. A self-proclaimed “jack of all trades” in terms of legal specialty, her legal experience has been focused on international commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate matters, intellectual property, dispute resolution (arbitration and litigation), employment, real estate, and finance. Prior to her career in law, Ms. Metzger worked in finance, credit management and tax. Ms. Metzger received her Juris Doctorate in law from Columbia University School of Law in New York City, Master in International Management from Baylor University (Texas) and Bachelors in Arts in Economics from Michigan State University. She holds certificates in management accounting and financial management, and is a member of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators. She is qualified to practice law in the US (New York, Michigan) and admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore.


    Email: 
    kathleen.metzger@adelaide.edu.au

    Phone:
    +65 9069 7844
    Course Timetable

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

    Singapore timetable

    Opening intensive:

    Friday 16 October 2015 7pm-10pm Promising entrepreneurs need a drive to succeed and a thirst for knowledge.
    Saturday 17 October 2015 1pm-8pm
    Sunday 18 October 2015 9am-4pm

    Closing intensive:

    Friday 20 November 2015 7pm-10pm Promising entrepreneurs need a drive to succeed and a thirst for knowledge.
    Saturday 21 November 2015 1pm-8pm
    Sunday 22 November 2015 9am-4pm
    Examination:
    Saturday 5 December 2015    9am-11am
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    The key learning objectives of this course are:
    1. Students’ ability to identify legal issues in commercial scenarios
    2. Practical skills for setting up and running a new business
    3. Students’ ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills
    4. A high level of literacy and the ability to verbally communicate information and ideas effectively
    5. Ability to work effectively individually and as a team member in small groups
    6. Opportunities for practical implementation of the concepts

    Students will acquire a practical background in business and legal aspects of setting up and running their own business.
    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, 2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 2, 3, 4
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3, 5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4, 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 3, 4, 5
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The University’s preferred textbook supplier is Unibooks:http://www.unibooks.com.au/

    Text book:
    Chandran, Ravi, (2010), Introduction to Business Law in Singapore, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill Education (Asia) ISBN 978-007-127217-9 or the Fifth Edition (2015)
    Recommended Resources
    Intellectual Property Office of Singapore http://www.ipos.gov.sg

    Library Resources
    The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. The University Library web page is: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/ 
    From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.
    Online Learning
    MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the University. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study (see: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as intensives.
    Workload

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

    As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self directed study).
    Learning Activities Summary

    This is a draft schedule and session dates are a guide only. The timetable may be changed during the course delivery if necessary.


    Intensive Date Content Module Readings/Activities
    1 16/10/2015 Introduction to Law
    Contract Law I
    1
    2
    Chpt 1 [Chandran text]
    Chpt 2-4 [Chandran text]
    Course Notes
    2 17/10/2015 Contract Law II
    Sale of Goods Act
    3
    4
    Chpt 5-6 [Chandran text]
    Chpt 7 [Chandran text]
    Group Exercises
    Employment Law
    Agency Law
    5
    6
    Chpt 8 [Chandran text]
    Chpt 9 [Chandran text]
    Course Notes
    3 18/10/2015 Intellectual Property Law
    Tort Law
    Discuss Assessment #1
    7
    8
    Chpt 14 [Chandran text]
    Chpt 13 [Chandran text]
    Course Notes
    4 20/11/2015 Company Law Quiz and Group
    Presentations (Assessment #1)
    Company Law I
    Company Law II
    9
    10
    Chpt 10 [Chandran text]
    Chpt 11 [Chandran text]
    5 21/11/2015 Company Law III
    Contract and Tort Review
    Group Exercises
    11
    12
    Chpt 12 [Chandran text]
    International Legal Issues
    Competition Law
    13
    13A
    Course Notes + Reading 
    [see MyUnit for Readings]
    6 22/11/2015 Company Finance and Insurance
    Credit and Security Law
    Dispute Resolution
    14
    15
    16
    Course Notes + Reading
    Chpt 15 [Chandran text]
    Chpt 1 [Chandran text]
    Course Notes + Reading
    Discuss Exam (Assessment #2)
    Discuss Assessment #3



    Slides provided on MyUni relate to the following content:

    Module Contents
    1 Introduction to Law
    2 Contract Law I
    3 Contract Law II
    4 Sale of Goods Act
    5 Employment Law
    6 Agency Law
    7 Intellectual Property Law
    8 Tort Law
    9 Company Law I
    10 Company Law II
    11 Company Law III
    12 Contract and Tort Law Review
    13 International Legal Issues
    13A Competition Law
    14 Company Finance and Insurance
    15 Credit and Security Law
    16 Dispute Resolution

  • 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

    An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table. Details appear in the following section:

    #AssessmentLengthWeightingDue DateLearning Outcomes
    1 Quiz and Presentation various 30% 20/11/2015 1,2,4,5
    2 Written Examination
    Closed Book
    2 hours 35% 05/12/2015 1,2,3
    3 Written Paper 1500 to 2000
    words
    35% 16/12/2015 1,3,6
    Total 100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students should attend all classes in order to pass the course. There is considerable experiential learning in workshops during the intensive classes that build your knowledge and thus enable you to be successful in this course.

    Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment 1: Quiz and Group Presentation
    Weighting: 15% Quiz; 15% Group Presentation
    Due Date:see MyUni
    Submission Details: In class

    Task:
    Students should study and be prepared to be quizzed on Chapters 10, 11 and 12 (materials featured in Company Law I, II and III) of the Chandran textbook. The Quiz is multiple choice.

    After the quiz, groups of 2-3 students make a dynamic and effective presentation of Company Law principles covered by the quiz questions (questions selected by Lecturer) in the form of discussion and analysis during the course lecture.

    Helpful visuals should be used to illustrate or clarify the key points of the presentation.
    An organized team approach is critical. The overall objective is to present the underlying principles of Company Law clearly as a team, in an enthusiastic and positive manner.

    Scope:
    This assignment will assess primarily your ability to prepare class materials in advance without the assistance of the Lecturer and communicate and make a clear presentation while working as a team, and teach your classmates certain principles of Company law.

    Length and Presentation:
    This will vary by team. It is recommended that all team members address the class during the presentation. Reasonable and appropriate visual aids are necessary.

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    Quiz will be scored based on correct answers.
    Presentation include: demonstration of knowledge of the Company Law principles and question(s) assigned, responsiveness to Lecturer’s instructions and guidance provided during preparation, team work as well as individual contribution, presentation skills, clarity of expression, proper use of the English language (spelling, grammar, syntax), organization and neatness, creativity.

    Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 1,2,4,5



    Assessment 2: Written Examination
    Weighting: 35%
    Due Date: see MyUni
    Submission Details: Closed book examination

    Task:
    30-50 multiple choice, matching and short answer questions covering all course topics and materials.

    Scope:
    This assignment will assess your familiarity with, and understanding of, the course materials.

    Length and Presentation:
    2 hour examination

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    Correct answers will score points

    Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 1,2,3



    Assessment 3: Written Paper
    Weighting: 35%
    Due Date: see MyUni
    Submission Details: Online through MyUni PLUS email to Lecturer to ensure receipt
    (kathleen.metzger@adelaide.edu.au)
    Task:
    Written paper in response to the following two hypothetical questions (answer both questions):

    HYPO1:
    Tom is the owner of a house near the stadium where the rugby league Grand Final is to be played. The match is to be played on Sunday 6 October 2002. On the 1 June 2002 Tom contracts with Bill for the construction of a balcony on his house to enable Tom and his guests to view the grand final. The guests are business associates of Tom’s and he hopes the function will create good will and generate more business. A reasonable time to complete the work would have been two months. At the end of August Bill had made no progress with the work. Tom cancelled Bill’s contract and had the work completed by Ray at an additional cost of $20,000. In addition, because there was doubt if Ray could finish on time Tom cancelled a catering contract and served his guests only meat pies and beer. The cost of the cancelled catering contract was $5,000. In addition Tom considers himself to have lost future business as a result of poor quality function. Tom now wishes to recover these losses from Bill. Advise him of his prospect of success citing the relevant principles.

    HYPO 2:
    John is a keen amateur sailor. He commissions the construction of a yacht from Pacific Yachts. The plans call for the provision of 5mm reinforcing of the deck at the points where the rigging joins the deck. To save construction costs, Pacific Yachts supplied only 3mm reinforcing. John sailed the yacht for eight years and then in a heavy storm the rigging pulled away from the deck causing the mast to fall. John’s yacht was badly damaged. Before the rigging could be cut free, Peter motored past on his jet ski and collided with the submerged rigging causing serious injury to him. Do Peter and John have a cause of action and if so against whom? Consider all possibilities, including relevant defences to be raised.

    Scope:
    This assignment will assess your understanding of the course topics with a legal focus, namely, contract and tort law, and your ability to organize and express a legal argument.

    Length and Presentation:
    1500 to 2000 words

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    Ability to identify and apply legal principles and materials presented in the course, complete coverage of issues presented, logical development of legal argument, originality, clarity of expression, proper use of the English language (spelling, grammar, syntax), and citation to appropriate cases and references.

    Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 1,3,6
    Submission
    All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
    Please refer to step by step instructions: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/files/AssignmentStudentSubmission.pdf

    There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:
    • Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
    • Cover Sheet:  Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work.  Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
    • Backup Copy of Assignments:  You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing.  Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
    • Extensions of Time:  Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer.  Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date.  Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
    • Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade.  Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above) Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.

    Resubmission & Remarking

    Resubmission of an assignment for remarking after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted.  Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.
    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.

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    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.

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