Business Law (BLAW)

BLAW 3300. Introduction to Business Law.

This course surveys the basic features of the American legal system and the legal aspects of business transactions. Topics include the nature and sources of law, court systems and procedures, torts, contracts, agency relationships, and ethical considerations in business contexts. Analysis focuses on how legal rules influence individual and organizational decision-making and the resolution of disputes. Students examine legal principles and apply them to common business situations, including liability, contractual obligations, and organizational relationships. Emphasis is placed on interpreting legal concepts and evaluating their implications in everyday commercial activities. For students who do not intend to pursue a B.B.A. degree.

BLAW 3301. Legal Environment of Business.

This course surveys the basic features of the American legal system and the legal aspects of business transactions. Topics include the nature and sources of law, court systems and procedures, torts, contracts, agency relationships, and ethical considerations in business contexts. Analysis focuses on how legal rules influence individual and organizational decision-making and the resolution of disputes. Students examine legal principles and apply them to common business situations, including liability, contractual obligations, and organizational relationships. Emphasis is placed on interpreting legal concepts and evaluating their implications in everyday commercial activities. For students who intend to pursue a B.B.A. degree.

BLAW 3360. Business Organizations and Government Regulations.

This course studies the principles of international business law and dispute resolution and applies them to transnational commercial activities of firms operating in global environments. Topics include cross-border contracts, international trade regulations, foreign investment, intellectual property, and legal systems affecting global business operations. Analysis focuses on how economic, political, social, and cultural factors influence legal frameworks and business decisions. Students examine mechanisms for resolving international disputes, including arbitration and litigation, and evaluate the legal risks and compliance requirements associated with conducting business across national boundaries. Prerequisite: A minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

BLAW 3363. International Business Law.

This course examines the legal frameworks governing international business activities. Topics include cross-border transactions, international commercial agreements, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the role of international institutions and regulatory systems. Analysis focuses on how legal rules from multiple jurisdictions influence business decision-making and organizational strategy. The course also addresses public and private law affecting global commerce, including trade agreements, transnational regulation, and compliance considerations. Students evaluate how legal principles apply to international business scenarios and assess the interaction between domestic legal systems and global economic activity. Prerequisite: A minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

BLAW 3367. Employment Law.

This course examines major federal and state employment and labor laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ADEA, ADA, and FLSA, as well as judicial opinions interpreting these statutes. It considers the perspectives of employers, employees, and business stakeholders. Topics include hiring practices, workplace policies, compensation, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and termination. Students examine, analyze, and apply legal principles to employment-related scenarios and evaluate how statutory and regulatory frameworks govern workplace practices and dispute resolution. Prerequisite: A minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

BLAW 3399. Money Law.

This course examines the legal frameworks governing money from antiquity to the present, with particular attention to the United States dollar since its establishment in 1792. It introduces economic and financial concepts relevant to monetary law and analyzes how legal systems define, regulate, and influence the use of money. Topics include historical developments in monetary systems, the legal foundations of currency, and the role of institutions in shaping monetary practices. Students evaluate how legal rules affect monetary functions, financial systems, and economic activity across different contexts. Prerequisite: A minimum 2.0 overall GPA.

BLAW 4310. Sustainable Development & Law.

This course examines the role of law and policy in balancing economic, environmental, and social considerations for current and future generations. Topics include environmental regulation, climate policy, resource management, corporate sustainability, and international legal frameworks. Analysis focuses on how legal institutions shape decision-making, address market failures, and influence organizational and public behavior. Students evaluate policies and regulatory approaches used to manage sustainability challenges in domestic and global contexts. Emphasis is placed on interpreting legal frameworks and assessing their implications for business, government, and society. Prerequisite: A minimum 2.0 overall GPA.

BLAW 4330. Intellectual Property & Technology Law.

This course applies existing and emerging laws governing intellectual property and technology to business issues. Topics include copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets, as well as legal issues related to eCommerce, blockchain, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and data security and privacy. Analysis focuses on how legal frameworks protect innovation, manage digital assets, and address risks associated with technological change. Students evaluate regulatory approaches and legal disputes in technology-driven environments and assess the implications of intellectual property rights for business strategy, competition, and innovation. Prerequisite: BLAW 3301 or BLAW 3300 with a grade of "D" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

BLAW 4395. Independent Study in Business Law.

This course provides an in-depth study of a selected topic or related problem in business law through independent, faculty-guided research. Students examine legal issues using statutes, case law, and scholarly sources to develop analytical and research skills. Emphasis is placed on applying legal reasoning to complex business contexts and producing structured written analyses. Topics vary based on student interest and faculty expertise and may include emerging or specialized areas of business law. Advanced legal analysis, critical thinking, and independent inquiry are developed. May be repeated once for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

BLAW 5310. The Employment Relationship.

This course examines contemporary employment law and workplace regulation within evolving organizational and economic environments. Topics include hiring practices, employee classification, wage and hour regulation, discrimination and harassment law, labor relations, workplace safety, and termination practices. The course analyzes statutory frameworks, judicial decisions, and regulatory structures that shape employer and employee rights and responsibilities. Attention is given to compliance considerations and the legal implications of managerial decisions in domestic and international contexts, including issues related to technological change, remote work, and labor market developments. Prerequisite: B A 5351 with a grade of "C" or better.

BLAW 5315. Legal Issues in International Business.

This course examines legal institutions and laws relevant to business operations with transnational implications. Topics include international trade regulation, cross-border contracts, licensing and protection of intellectual property, and foreign direct investment. The course also analyzes legal frameworks governing multinational enterprises, including treaties, trade agreements, and regulatory bodies. Emphasis is placed on the resolution of international business disputes through litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute mechanisms. Students evaluate how differing legal systems and cultural contexts influence business decisions and compliance requirements in global markets.

BLAW 5333. Legal Issues of Sustainability and Responsibility.

This course examines how national and international laws and policies relate to business practices associated with sustainability and corporate responsibility. Topics include environmental regulation, climate policy, human rights frameworks, corporate governance, and reporting standards. The course analyzes legal structures, regulatory approaches, and compliance requirements that influence organizational decision-making. Attention is given to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in domestic and international contexts. Students evaluate legal and policy frameworks and their implications for business operations and institutional behavior.

BLAW 5364. Commercial Law.

This course examines core areas of commercial law that govern business transactions and property relationships. Topics include sales of goods, negotiable instruments, creditor rights and remedies, secured transactions, and bankruptcy law. The course also addresses legal principles related to personal property, bailments, real property, and landlord–tenant relationships. Emphasis is placed on the legal frameworks that structure commercial activity, the rights and obligations of parties in business transactions, and the interpretation and application of statutory and case law in commercial contexts. Prerequisite: BLAW 3301 with a grade of "C" or better.