Module: BMA6111-20 Exploring Law in Business

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Steve Goulton

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.goulton@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Dealing with more involved substantive subjects, and drawing on more complex skills like advice and client management, than at levels 4 and 5, this module is for you if you want to explore the complex legal issues affecting businesses and business transactions, locally, nationally and globally.

You will study the legal implications of business transactions and the law of agency, and other substantive subjects covering obligations (like laws covering consumer contracts) and potential liabilities (like tortious negligence).  We will also look at the law of business property in a broad sense, and the law governing the employment of labour. You will also come to recognise how lawyers and businesses interact; and when, within business, lawyers are, and are not, required.

Studying in the birthplace of the Common Law legal system - England, this module is directly relevant to other jurisdictions with Common Law foundations (including Commonwealth countries, Hong Kong, North America, Australia, India and South Africa) but will cover concepts, themes and approaches found in most other countries, too, and so is of relevance to any and all student.

This module will provide the graduate with attributes such as:

1. Employable: equipped with the skills necessary to flourish in the global workplace, able to work in and lead teams;

2. Able to understand and manage complexity, diversity and change;

3. Creative:  able to innovate and solve problems by working across disciplines as professional or artistic practitioners;

4. Critical thinkers:  able to express their ideas in written and oral form, and possessing information literacy;

5. Ethically aware:  prepared for citizenship in a local, national and global context.

2.Outline syllabus

The module will cover the following substantive subjects:

• The law of tort, with specific emphasis on negligence;

• Business property, including intellectual property and data protection;

• Employment law;

• The law of agency;

• Corporate crime, for example corporate manslaughter, tax evasion, cybercrime (internet fraud; viruses; cyberwarfare), trafficking;

The module will also seek to develop the following legal skills:

• Legal argument, advocacy, debating and mooting;

• Legal research and referencing;

• Problem-solving in legal contexts and providing advice;

• Alternative dispute resolution practices (negotiation and mediation).

3.Teaching and learning activities

Contact time:  1x 1-hour lecture plus 1x 2-hour seminar.

Class activities might include discussion, analysis and student-led presentations on legal principles, cases and legislation; debates; and simulated court cases (‘moots’).  Wherever possible, we will explore and experience the law ‘in action’, either through guest speakers practicing in the law or through field trips to legal institutions.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Legal opinion

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Debate or debating plan

• % Weighting: 50%