COMMLAW 7012 - Business and Corporations Law

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2017

This course will introduce students to a range of legal issues that impact on business. Students will learn to identify areas of legal liability and risk and how to minimise legal risk. The topics covered in the course include an introduction to the legal system, the law of business structures, contract law, intellectual property law, law of business torts, consumer protection law, competition law, corporate governance including directors and officers duties,the concept of corporate personality, the corporate constitution and Replaceable Rules, company contracts, financial reporting requirements, members rights and external administration.

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Course Details

Course Code	COMMLAW 7012
Course	Business and Corporations Law
Coordinating Unit	Adelaide Law School
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assessment	Assessment in this course will include a combination of two or more of the following: interim written assessment; in-class presentation; assessment of contribution to class discussion; examination (invigilated or take-home).

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Colette Langos

Contact details: colette.langos@adelaide.edu.au

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

Objectives

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the Australian legal system and how it applies to commerce;
2. Understand how to utlise the IRAC (Issues, Rules, Argument, Conlcusion) framework for solving legal problems;
3. Think critically about applying law relevant to business delaings;
4. Conduct basic legal research;
5. Utilise modern technology effectively;
6. Appreciate the importance of lifelong learning in the ever-changing field of legal regulation of commerce.

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)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1 - 4
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	3
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1-6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

The textbook for this course is Business and Corporations Law 3rd edition Lexis Nexis by Fitzpatrick, Symes, Veljanovski and Parker

Recommended Resources

Students may find the following textbooks helpful but are not expected to purchase them:

Giancaspro & Langos, Understanding Contract Law: A Practical Guide (2016), Lexis Nexis.

Latimer, Australian Business Law 35th (or any recent) edition, CCH.

Lipton Herzberg & Welsh, Understanding Company Law 17th ed, Thomson Reuters.
.
Hanrahan Ramsey and Stapeldon, Commercial Applications of Company Law 17th (or any recent) edition, CCH.

The Corporations Act is available free at austlii.com.au/commonwealth legislation or at Commlaw.

Online Learning

Electronic copies of the lecture powerpoint slides, weekly seminar questions and assignment questions will be provided on MyUni.

Students are strongly encouraged to regularlay check myUni for updates and course communication such as Announcements.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Learning and Teaching Activities amounting to 24 hours (across lecture, seminar and structured learning activity formats) will be offered to students in this course.

Workload

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

The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 9 hours of private study in addition to your regular classes.

Learning Activities Summary

Business Law component Week 1-6:

Week 1
Lecture - Course Information/Introduction; Australian legal system; IRAC

No Seminar

Week 2
Lecture Topic: Contract formation

Seminars begin!

Seminar Topic: Practice Quiz on Australian legal system

Week 3
Lecture Topic- Terms of a contract

Seminar Topic: Contract formation

Week 4
Lecture Topic: Contract termination and remedies

Seminar Topic: Terms of a contract

Week 5
Lecture Topic: Australian Consumer Law

Seminar Topic: Contract termination

Week 6
Lecture Topic: Revision workshop for Assignment

Seminar Topic: Australian Consumer Law

Week 7
Lecture Topic: CORPORATIONS LAW LECTURES BEGIN

Seminar Topic: Business Law Revsion Quiz or Q&A session

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

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

Assessment Summary

Task Name	Due Date	Weighting	Individual (I) or Group Work (G)	Redeemable – Yes/No	Course learning Outcome
Online Quiz Consists of 20 multiple choice questions based on Week 1 lecture content and readings on the Australian Legal System. The quiz will be open for completion for a 48 hour period.	Week 3: Opens 8/8 9am – Closes 10/8 9am.	10%	I	No	1,5,6
Business Law Assignment This task assesses student comprehension of the Business Law component of the course. It comprises of 3 Parts and is based on content taught in Lectures 2-5. Parts 1 and 2 comprise of legal problem questions. Students are assessed on their ability to synthesise and apply correct law; think critically. Part 3 consists of a short research paper. Students are assessed on their research and writing skills and must demonstrate appropriate adherence to legal research principles within a business context. The word limit for this assessment is 2500-3000 words.	Monday 18^th September 2pm	40%	I	No	1-6
Corporations Law Exam 130 minutes + 10 minutes reading time Open book exam at Wayville Showgrounds	Date to be released by University	50%	I	No	1,2,3,6

Assessment Detail

Assessment structure is as follows:

1. Online Quiz - Week 3 Tuesday 8/8 9am - Thursday 10/8 9am.

This task will require students to answer 20 multiple choice questions on the Australian legal system based on Chapter 1 of the text book 'Business and Corporations Law' (Fitzpatrick, Symes, Veljanovski and Parker) and the practice Quiz which will be conducted in the first seminar held in Week 2.

The Online Quiz will be open for 48 hours. During that time students must complete the Quiz. Extensions will not be granted. Students can only submit answers once.

Further instructions will be given in the lectures.

2. Business Law Assignment - Due date 18th September at 2pm

This task will require students to solve two legal problems on Business Law topics covered in Weeks 2-5 using the IRAC method (method explained in Week 1 lecture) and to answer one research-based question.

The maximum word limit is 1750 words. Submission via MyUni.

Further information will be given in lectures.

3. Corporate Law Exam - date to be determined

The exam will focus ONLY on Corporate Law component of the course taught in Weeks 7-12.

Further details will be given when the Corporate Law part of the course commences.

Submission

Standard Adelaide Law School submission requirements apply. Specific information will be provided in the assessment instructions for each item of assessment

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.

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.

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 ofLearning 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.
Student Support
The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the University of Adelaide.

The centre provides practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.

For more information please check out the Writing Centre website at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/

Lex Salus Program

Lex Salus was founded in 2013 by Adelaide Law School Wellbeing officers Ms Corinne Walding, Ms Kellie Toole and Dr Mark Giancaspro. Lex Salus is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at raising law student awareness of the importance of mental, physical and nutritional health across all year levels of the degree, and of the various counselling, disability and equity services both within and outside the University that can provide help. Research shows that law students, both in Australia and in many jurisdictions around the world, experience the highest levels of stress, anxiety and depression out of any other discipline. Many do not get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet or achieve a realistic work/life balance. Making matters worse, they are unwilling or afraid to speak up for fear of feeling 'weak' or because of the negative stigma that attaches to seeking help. Lex Salus is dedicated to tackling these problems head-on.

Counselling Service

The University Counselling Service provides a free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Counselling service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life. More information is available at https://www.adelaide.edu.au/counselling_centre/.
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Plagiarism and other forms of cheating

Plagiarism is a serious act of academic misconduct. All students must be familiar with the Adelaide Law School Enrolment Guide, and should note in particular the sections relating to plagiarism, grievance procedures and academic conduct within the Law School and the University.

Plagiarism is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Please be aware that “academic dishonesty” (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to refuse to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia.

Academic honesty is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.
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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator