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BUSN 1301 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

BUSN 1301 - Legal Issues for the Web

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course addresses Internet law and provides guidelines for legally putting existing material online, creating material specifically for the Internet, using material found on the Internet, e-commerce, and educational aspects of the Internet. Real-world examples are used to illustrate how the rules affect businesses. Students will work on real case studies and have discussions on what they feel the correct outcome based on the law as learned in this course should be.

Course Outcomes:

Course Outcomes:

Course outcomes will be pursued through a combination of lecture, class discussion, student presentations of selected cases or topics, and written assignments. Students will participate in activities designed to enhance their abilities in communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.

After completing BUSN 1050, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the legal concept of intellectual property including creation, termination and liability for misuse in the business environment.
  2. Explain the legal concept of the "Fair Use Doctrine" in the business environment.
  3. Explain the legal liability of infringement of intellectual property rights.
  4. Describe the legal concepts of Public Domain.

Competencies Which Support Course Outcomes

Without reference to notes or any other aids students should be able to:

  1. Describe the relationship between law, order, Intellectual Property.
  2. Explain how Intellectual Property is created and terminated.
  3. Enumerate and describe the evolution of Copyright Law especially as it is determined by the court today.
  4. Explain the ramifications of Digital Technology on Web page design.
  5. Describe the Balance between copyright protection and innovation on using material on the Internet.
  6. Identify the rights of copyrighted music, specifically as to the writers, artists and BMI.
  7. Explain "Work for Hire'" and the legal rights that attach to this.
  8. List and describe the legal relations in the transfer of copyrights.
  9. Explain federal and state laws involving Intellectual Property.
  10. Explain International law as if applies to Intellectual Property.
  11. Analyze the relationship between "The Fair Use Doctrine" and Intellectual Property rights protection.
  12. Describe and explain the law regarding privacy and publicity over the Internet
  13. Explain the laws that effect Trademark and Trademark under Fair Use.
  14. Analyze cases on Copyright, Patents, Trademark, and Trade Secrets.

Discuss the effect of the cases involving Napster, Aimster, Madster, Streamcast, and Grokster, on Web page development.

Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

Sufficient reading and writing skills to succeed in this course.

Course Topics:

Looking at the Contents of the textbook for this course, the student will see that this course is divided into four major Units. A breakdown of the Units are as follows;

Unit A, Introduction to Cyberlaw

Chapter 1: Technology and Cyberlaw
Chapter 2: Jurisdiction

Unit B, Intellectual Property Issues in Cyberspace

Chapter 3: Trademarks
Chapter 4: Copyrights
Chapter 5: Business methods Patens and Trade Secrets

Unit C, Business and Financial Issues in Cyberspace

Chapter 6: Online Contracting

Unit D, Special Issues in Cyberspace

Chapter 9 Hardback Edition; Chapter 7 Paperback Edition: Privacy
Chapter 10 Hardback Edition; Chapter 8 Paperback Edition: Obscenity
Chapter 11 Hardback Edition; Chapter 9 Paperback Edition: Defamation
Chapter 12 Hardback Edition; Chapter 10 Paperback Edition: Internet and Information Security
Chapter 13 Hardback Edition; Chapter 11 Paperback Edition: Internet and Computer Crime

Specific Course Requirements:
  1. Reading and other Assignments indicated in the course Syllabus and Schedule reflect the plan for presentation of this course and the course material. It will be followed closely. Adjustments may, however, be made from time to time by class announcements and email from your instructor. Each student is responsible for completing all assignment, quizzes, discussions, and Tests/Exams.
  2. This course requires work to be completed on a variety of methods including written case analysis, case discussion, homework problems, and participation in exercises, quizzes and Tests/Exams.
  3. Each student is expected to participate in all scheduled on-line discussions and assignments. Group discussions will include many items that are not in the textbook. Therefore, you must participate in order to receive the full benefit from this course. A portion of the student's grade will come from the on-line case discussions.
  4. Case Discussions will require research on the Web to formulate the student's responses. The student will also have to cite their sources in submitting their case responses. This will involve determining what the "current" law is concerning a topic discussed within a chapter of the textbook. Since law is "ever-changing" research will have to be current.
  5. Students will have self-graded quizzes over the chapters covered in this course. These are taken through the Desire-2-Learn function and are completed through the students "home" computer. Unlike many online courses, the quiz questions are not the same as the Mid-Term and Final Exam questions. However, they are similar and cover the same material.

There will be two proctored tests for this course. The student will need to make sure that their Testing Center has the correct pass codes to access each of these two Tests/Exams. (See a discussion of this by opening "Test/Quizzes" under Test/Quizzes on the menu bar

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

Access to a law dictionary is very helpful but not mandatory. The textbook also has a Glossary of specific legal terms applicable to this course along with an Appendix with the actual Statutes passed by Congress that we will be covering.

Students must have access to the Web and the Internet.

Handouts through email by your instructor.

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

Quizzes, Testing and Discussion Procedures:

  • Quizzes are taken by the student on their "home" computer and are self-grading. Links are found on the menu bar under Assessment. The first time a student takes a quiz or test, they will need to carefully read the instructions provided. There are 11 quizzes this semester. The quiz questions come from the reading material in your textbook. They are not the same as the Mid-Term and Final Exam questions. However, they are similar and cover the same material.
  • The Mid-term and Final Test/Exam are proctored and must be taken in an approved Testing Center at your college or university. Check with your Testing Center on two very important points BEFORE going to your Testing Center to take the Mid-term and Final Test/Exam. First, find out if your Testing Center has received the password codes that will allow you access to both the Mid-term and Final Test/Exam. Next, plan to go to the Testing Center at least one hour before closing time and therefore, you need to know your Testing Center's hours. Testing Centers require a photo ID before administering a test. Children are not allowed in the Testing Centers.
  • If you are taking this course at a distance site and cannot come to your campus for these two tests, it will be your responsibility to make arrangements for the proctored testing. You can find approved Testing Centers for the State of Tennessee at this website link. Contact your instructor to discuss the matter immediately. 

 

Grading Procedures:
Assessment NameNumber of AssessmentsPoints 
Chapter Quizzes11 Chapter Quizzes @ 30 points each330 points (22%)
Case Studies/Research10 Case Studies @ 50 points each500 points (33%)
Mid-Term Exam1 Mid-Term @ 350 points350 points (22.5%)
Final Exam1 Final Exam @ 350 points350 points (22.5%)
Total Points 1530 points (100%)

All grading procedure is to determine that the student has mastered the material for the successful completion of this course. High achievement in the course will be achieved by participating fully in all case studies through research of assigned topics, discussion of these cases with other students in this course, and the mastery of the course material through reading the textbook and the lesson notes prepared by the instructor.

Grading Scale:

90-100---A, 1530 - 1377 points
80-89 --- B, 1376 - 1224 points
79-70 --- C, 1223 - 1071 points
69-60 --- D, 1070 - 918 points
Below 60 - F, 917 and below points

Assignments and Projects:

The Schedule in the "Course Content" on the menu bar for this course sets out all assignments, Quizzes and Test due dates. It also sets out due dates for the Case Study Research and Discussion assignments.

Class Participation:

Students must communicate with other students using the email function within Desire-2-Learn. You are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource. You must check both the Announcements that will be posted on the "Course Home" page and you will need to check your email each day. Further, students must actively participate in threaded discussion concerning the assigned Case Studies Research assignments.

Late Policy:

Due dates and times for all assignments, quizzes and tests are set out in the class Schedule under "Course Content" and on the menu bar. Students in Web based courses often wait until the course gets going before purchasing the textbook and then ask the instructor for extra time to complete their first assignments. You need to go ahead and purchase your textbook and begin you reading assignments since not having your textbook is NOT a good reason to get behind. Students who have failed to be involved in the class for 2 weeks will receive a grade of F in the class for excessive absence.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021