Introduction to Business Law

University of Reading

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Introduction to Business Law

  • Host University

    University of Reading

  • Location

    Reading, England

  • Area of Study

    Legal Studies

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Lower

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    5
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4

  • Overview

    Module Provider: School of Law
    Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
    Level:4
    Terms in which taught: Spring term module
    Pre-requisites:
    Non-modular pre-requisites: Not open to students on any LLB programme
    Co-requisites: LW1A05 General Introduction to Law
    Modules excluded:
    Module version for: 2014/5
    Module Convenor: Mrs Elizabeth Conaghan
    Email: e.t.conaghan@reading.ac.uk
    Summary module description:
    This is a ten week course which provides students with an introduction to key aspects of civil and criminal law as they impact on business and professional services.
    Aims:
    To provide students with an introduction to the foundations of English law as it impacts upon business and professional services: agency law, company and insolvency law, criminal law, the law relating to the handling of information and employment and social security law.
    Assessable learning outcomes:
    By the end of this module it is expected that the student will be able to:
    ? Understand the legal implications of incorporation, including the roles of shareholders and directors, and the main implications of insolvency law;
    ? Identify instances of criminal behaviour that may be encountered by professional accountants;
    ? Identify other key areas in which the law affects the role and work of the professional accountant, for example, employment and social security law, the law of agency and the law relating to the handling of information;
    ? Display a familiarity with the basic techniques of statutory interpretation and rules of precedent;
    ? Exhibit a basic knowledge of some fundamental legal rules and an ability to deploy these rules in solving rudimentary problems;
    ? Formulate and evaluate simple legal arguments; and
    ? Show some ability to analyse the existing law critically.
    Additional outcomes:
    Students will develop research skills and computer skills in preparing for and completing computer-based exercises.
    Outline content:
    ? The nature of the agency relationship: its creation, the rights and duties of agents, the authority that an agent has to enter into contracts on behalf of a principal and that given to partners under legislation.
    ? Company and insolvency law: the differences between partnerships and companies, the fundamentals of the incorporation and operation of a company including the issue and transfer of shares, capital maintenance, the relationship between directors and shareholders, directors? duties and powers, the law relating to security and the key principles and implications of insolvency law.
    ? Instances of criminal behaviour that may be encountered by professional accountants including the law relating to whistleblowing, fraud, bribery and money laundering.
    ? The impact of other aspects of law in the professional context including information and its legal environment, and employment and social security law.
    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    Teaching will be by lectures, and students will also learn through completing interactive computer-based exercises, with on-line feedback. Students will be required to supplement the knowledge they acquire from lectures by independent study, and will be able to evaluate their comprehension through the completion of the computer-based exercises.
    Contact hours:
    Spring
    Lectures 20
    Practicals classes and workshops 4
    Guided independent study 76
    Total hours by term 100.00
    Total hours for module 100.00
    Summative Assessment Methods:
    Method Percentage
    Written exam 100
    Other information on summative assessment:
    Formative assessment methods:
    Students will have the opportunity to complete a number of formative online computer exercises containing sets of multiple choice questions for which they receive instant feedback.
    They will also be given the opportunity to submit a short essay of the same kind and length as those that they will be required to write in the module examination. This will be marked and returned to them with feedback.
    Penalties for late submission:
    The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
    where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
    where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
    The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
    You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
    Length of examination:
    One 2 hour unseen examination paper. The paper will have two sections:
    Section A:
    Multiple choice questions
    Section A counts for 50% of the mark for the examination.
    Section B:
    Short Form Questions (a choice will be given)
    Section B counts for 50% of the mark for the examination.
    Requirements for a pass:
    40% overall
    Reassessment arrangements:
    As for the first attempt, but during the summer re-take period.
    Last updated: 19 December 2014

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Some courses may require additional fees.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.

Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.

Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.

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