NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT CURRICULUM MAP Course Name: Business Law I Course Number: BUS180 Length of Course: Semester Grading Period CONTENT SKILLS First/Third Nine Weeks Unit of Study: Foundations of the Legal System Section 1. General Legal Terminology Legal Analysis Writings The Role of Law in Society Law (define) Law vs. Policy Reason(s) for Studying Law Business Law (define) Court of Law Criminal Law vs. Civil Law Appellate Courts Common Law Section 2. Law in the Courtroom Role of Jury Role of Judge Jury Qualifications Precedent Doctrine of Stare Decisis Overturning Precedent Case Law Court Opinion Jury Trials vs. Bench Trials Historical methods of dispute settlement Due Process of Law Amendment 6 vs. Amendment 7 The Jury Selection Process The Jury/Bench Trial Process Section 3. Ethics and the Law Morality Ethics Ethical Decision-Making Principles Ethical Character Traits Ethics and Law Relationship Section 1. General Legal Terminology Prepare a Legal Analysis Writing by stating the Informational Findings, Opinion & Rationale, and Amending the Law Explain the Role of Law in Society as a body of rules, a process, economics, values, and public opinion Define Law and list various groups that have the right to enforce the law as it relates to one s rights & responsibilities Demonstrate the similarities & differences between Law and Policy State reasons as to why all citizens should study Law Define Business Law and list the 3 forms of business organizations Define a Court of Law Compare and Contrast Civil Law and Criminal Law Define an Appellate Court and explain the 4 general steps of the appeals process Understand the concept of Common Law and state some historical background facts Section 2. Law in the Courtroom Understand the qualifications for Jury Service State the basic role of a jury in a court of law State several specific roles of a jury in a court of law State the basic role of a judge in both jury trials and bench trials State several specific roles of a judge in both jury trials and bench trials Define Precedent Define the Doctrine of Stare Decisis and state various importance s of this doctrine with
Section 4. The 5 Sources of Law Constitutional Law English Common Law Statutory Law Case Law Administrative Law regards to our legal system Understand when a court is permitted to overturn an existing precedent Define Case Law and state the 3 components contained in a Court Opinion Compare and Contrast Jury Trials and Bench Trials Identify the historical methods of dispute resolution Trial by Combat, Trial by Ordeal, Trial by Oath Explain the concept of Due Process of Law Understand the contents of Amendments 6 & 7 of the U.S. Constitution as they directly relate to jury trials in both criminal and civil law Organize all steps in the Jury Selection Process (Voir Dire) from start to finish, and explain the various steps in the entire process Organize all steps in the Jury and/or Bench Trial Process from start to finish, and explain the various steps in the process Explain various pro s and con s of Cameras in the Courtroom Understand the function of a Grand Jury in our legal system Section 3. Ethics and the Law Define Morality and state examples of moral vs. immoral behavior in society and business settings Define Ethics and state examples of ethical vs. unethical behavior in society and business settings Compare and contrast Ethics and Morality Identify the 3 Ethical Decision-Making Principles used in society 1. Feelings/Opinions 2. Greatest Good 3. Golden Rule Understand the relationship between and Ethics and Law Understand why Law is necessary Identify various Ethical and Legal Conflicts that arise in today s business society List the 4 Ethical Character Traits and define
each (Honesty, Fairness, Compassion, Integrity) Identify various people in our history who have led exemplary lives (Ethical Character Traits commonalities) Section 4. The 5 Sources of Law Compare and contrast the U.S. Constitution and State Constitutions Understand how the constitution is used in a court of law Identify and apply Amendment 14 Limitation on State Action Explain the effects of the evolution of English Common Law in today s legal system Explain the concept of how Statutory Law is passed at the Federal, State, and Local levels of government List and interpret various Federal, State, and Local statutes Define Case Law and identify various historical cases that have shaped our U.S. Legal System Identify the elements of a Court Opinion Explain the role of the courts in judicial decision making for interpretation of unclear statutes at both state and federal levels Explain the concept of Administrative Law List various Administrative Agencies at both the Federal and State levels Explain the general powers of an administrative agency
Second/Fourth Nine Weeks Unit 2: The Court System Dual Court System Trial Procedures Unit 3: Criminal Law Defining Crimes Particular Crimes Unit 4: Contract Law How Contracts Arise - Contracts - Offer and Acceptance Genuine Agreement - Fraud and Misrepresentation - Mistake, Duress, and Undue Influence Benchmark Final Assessment Project Section 2.1. A Dual Court System Understand and apply the term jurisdiction Explain the structure of the federal court system Explain the role of the United States Supreme Court Explain the structure of the state court system Describe the difference between a juvenile who is unruly and one who is delinquent Section 2.2. Trial Procedures Understand the various alternatives to litigation Differentiate between civil and criminal cases Explain the steps in a civil lawsuit Understand how one would exercise their rights if arrested Explain the steps in a criminal prosecution Understand the application of court procedures to juvenile cases Section 3.1. What is a Crime? Differentiate between serious crimes and less serious crimes Explain the difference between state and federal criminal law issues List and explain the elements of a crime Define the various defenses to criminal liability Section 3.2. Particular Crimes Define major crimes against people Define major crimes against property Define major crimes that involve controlled substances Define major crimes that involve computers and technology Section 5.1. Contracts Explain the elements of legal contracts Identify valid, void, voidable, and unenforceable contracts Distinguish between express and implied contracts Identify unilateral and bilateral contracts Distinguish between oral and written contracts
Section 5.2. Offer and Acceptance Recognize the requirements of an offer Distinguish between an offer and an invitation to negotiate Recognize the requirements of an acceptance Distinguish between an acceptance and a counteroffer Understand and recognize when an offer has been terminated Section 6.1. Fraud and Misrepresentation Identify the elements of fraud Distinguish between Fraud and Concealment Distinguish between Fraud and Innocent Misrepresentation Distinguish between the remedy available for Fraud and the remedy for Misrepresentation Section 6.2. Mistake, Duress, and Undue Influence Distinguish between Unilateral and Bilateral Mistakes Recognize the types of mistakes that will allow rescission of a contract Recognize the requirements of economic duress Recognize the requirements of Undue Influence Benchmark Culmination of all performance objectives mastered during the course of the semester -- Research Fact Sheet Project (Legal Topic) w/ 2 Written Case Briefs