BUS-211 - Business Law - Gary Collis
| Course: | Business Law |
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| Professor: | Gary Collis |
| Email: | gary.collis@canyons.edu |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
My name is Gary Collis. I will be your professor if you enroll in Business 211. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. I practiced law in Los Angeles for 20 years before joining the COC faculty full time in 2017. I love spending time with family and friends, studying history and politics, exercising, and hanging out with my two (very talkative) cats.
Please watch this short video to learn a little bit about me and this class.
Course Description
This course will introduce you to the legal environment in which business operates in the United States. You will learn about the critical role that law plays in our market economy. We will study constitutional law, torts, business crimes, contracts, business organizations, and other legal topics.
What to Expect in this Course
It’s important that those seeking a career in business have a basic understanding of business-related laws to enable wise decision-making. A large body of law in the United States applies exclusively to business activity. Businesses need these laws to define unacceptable behavior, to provide certainty and stability, to protect the public, and to provide a mechanism for businesses to resolve disputes. This course is designed to make business students - our country's future business managers, owners, employees, and executives - aware of the vast range of legal issues that arise daily in the operation of any business.
This is a three-unit class. This means that, when students take this class in a face-to-face format, they'll spend three hours a week in a classroom. Since this is an asynchronous, online class, however, students will not "attend" class at all. Nevertheless, the workload will remain the same with my video lectures designed to replicate the lectures that students would experience in class. Under the so-called "Carnegie unit" system, faculty can expect students enrolled in a 3-unit class will spend three hours a week in class and an additional 2-3 times that number working outside of class on readings and assignments. Basically, students in this class should expect to devote approximately 10 hours a week to the class. That time calculation is standard in higher education for a three unit class. I did not invent it.
In terms of technology, I expect students will have access to a functioning laptop or desktop computer with a fast and reliable internet connection. While students may use any web browser that they prefer, Canvas, certain websites, and other web-based applications that we will use in this class appear to work best (or sometimes only) with the most recent release of the Google Chrome browser. Therefore, all students must have the ability to change browsers to the latest version of Google Chrome whenever necessary to complete a task required by the course. Also, students should have access on their computers to any computer applications that their computer systems require to allow for the viewing of PDF documents and watching streaming videos. Finally, there may be occasion when I require students to complete exams or quizzes using anti-cheating software called "Honorlock," discussed more fully below, and, therefore, students must have access to a reliable webcam that meets Honorlock's system requirements.
Types of Assessments
Assessments in this class may consist of online discussions, video lectures with embedded questions, digital homework, and exams/quizzes.
Before enrolling in the course, please be aware that I may utilize anti-cheating, virtual exam proctoring software in this class. This means that you may be required to complete online exams through the Google Chrome web browser and a functioning web camera.
Also, be aware that students are required to complete all exams on a desktop or a laptop computer. You may not use a phone, a tablet, or a similar mobile device, for exams. All students have free access to desktop computers on both COC's Valencia and Canyon Country campuses in the libraries, learning centers, and in the ASG computer lab (on the Valencia campus).
Textbook Information
The textbook is titled Roger LeRoy Miller, Business Law Today: Comprehensive Edition Text and Cases (13th Edition).
In addition to the textbook, we will also use MindTap, our textbook publisher’s online learning platform. MindTap is an engaging website, which we will access through links that I have placed into Canvas, on which you will read the e-book, view videos, perform exercises, and complete graded assignments. You must purchase access to MindTap to pass the course.
I strongly recommend buying the class materials from COC's bookstore to ensure that you're buying the correct product, but you may also decide to buy directly from the publisher by clicking a link that I have included in the Canvas course.
Other Relevant Course Information
Competency in the use of Canvas, COC's learning management system, is required to succeed in this class. Students will submit all assignments through Canvas. When students contact me for help with Canvas, I will frequently send a link to the Canvas Student Guides to help students identify and overcome technical challenges on their own. Since I am not a computer expert and cannot solve technical problems from a distance, I will also direct students to COC's and Canvas's help desks for detailed assistance.
In addition, I reserve the right to activate "Honorlock" in this class for use while students are taking online exams only. Honorlock is virtual proctoring software, provided to faculty by College of the Canyons, that works to ensure the academic integrity of online examinations. Honorlock requires that students take exams on a desktop or laptop computer, not a mobile device, using the Google Chrome web browser with the Honorlock extension installed. Honorlock will do certain things like preventing test-takers from navigating away from an exam, disabling "cut and paste" capability, tracking access to unapproved websites during the exam, and much more. I strongly encourage all students considering enrolling in my class to read about how Honorlock works and, in particular, to understand Honorlock's privacy implications. I respect and appreciate that some students do not want to have their activities digitally monitored during a digital exam. If that describes you, I hope you'll consider enrolling in a Business Law section offered on campus or by an instructor who chooses not to use Honorlock of similar online proctoring technology.
Also, before deciding to enroll in this course, I urge you to visit the WEBSITE that I've created for this course to learn a lot more that what I've been able to provide to you in this Orientation Letter!
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 11/25/2024 Sub#: 842