LAW 5503 Australian Law and Business

STAFFING:

OTHER-REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Law provides a framework within which businesses may operate - regulating, to a greater or lesser extent, their structures, management and transactions. An appreciation of the legal ramifications of particular actions and inactions is important for those entrusted with managerial responsibility.

SYNOPSIS:

In order to introduce students to the impact of law on business, this course looks at the Australian legal system and the courts (such as the way in which legal decisions are made and their significance). It also covers in some detail areas of the law relevant to business, such as contract law (including agency law), selected topics from the law of torts, remedies, aspects of the law relating to some of the main business structures, aspects of property law and aspects of bankruptcy law.

OBJECTIVES:

Successful completion of this course should enable students to:

1. understand and, where necessary, describe the Australian legal system, its components and the way it operates;
2. demonstrate basic skills in statutory interpretation and the operation of precedent;
3. explain the basic principles of law in the specific substantive topics covered;
4. identify the legal issues raised by case studies and apply the relevant legal principles to resolve those issues;
5. demonstrate satisfactory skills in communication.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Partnership Act, 1891, (Queensland) or the comparable legislation in another Australian state. A copy of the Partnership Act, 1891, (Queensland) is available online by accessing the Queensland Government (Queensland Parliamentary Counsel) website at: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/OQPChome.htm.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   Students must submit assignments that represent a reasonable attempt as determined by the Examiner. Students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must attempt all of the summative assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the examination and achieve an aggregated mark of at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   This is a closed examination. Candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Guide to Policies and Procedures of the Faculty which can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/buspolproc.html.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Learning Resources: Prescribed text and materials (see above); prescribed reference materials (see above); and course Website accessible via USQConnect.