ACC 205: Introduction To Business Law Spring 2016 Extra Cred
ACC 205: Introduction to Business Law Spring 2016 Extra Credit Options
Students may earn a maximum of 50 points of extra credit throughout the course. Several options are listed below. Students may only do one extra credit assignment from each of the categories listed below. Students may propose other extra credit options for the instructor’s approval. Please note that any incident of cheating on extra credit work will result in the forfeiting of all extra credit points in the class.
Examples of cheating would be – using descriptions of films from Wikipedia, turning in work originally created by someone else, working together and turning in substantially similar papers, etc.
Paper For Above instruction
Students are required to complete one of the following assignments for extra credit in the course, each demonstrating their understanding of legal and ethical issues related to business law through analysis of relevant media or real-world observations. The assignment chosen must be completed individually, and the work must be original and not plagiarized. Each assignment involves producing a minimum five-page, double-spaced paper that critically examines legal and ethical issues as they relate to the selected media or event, along with personal reflections where appropriate.
A. Documentary Analysis
Choose a documentary such as "The Corporation", "Who Killed the Electric Car?", "Food, Inc.", "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room", or other approved titles. Watch the documentary and write at least a five-page, double-spaced paper analyzing the legal and ethical issues surrounding the rise of corporations in America. Discuss aspects that surprised, angered, or challenged your perspectives, considering the documentary’s content, which may include politically charged material. Your analysis should evaluate how corporate behavior, leadership, and legal frameworks have evolved and the implications for society and business ethics.
B. Court Trial Observation
Attend at least two hours of a business-related trial—either civil or criminal—that involves a business entity as a party. Afterward, craft a minimum five-page, double-spaced report detailing your observations, the legal issues encountered, and how these issues relate to concepts studied in this course. Your analysis should reflect on how legal principles, business ethics, and courtroom procedures intersect in real-world disputes, and what lessons may be drawn for business practitioners and legal professionals.
C. Pop Culture Movie Analysis
Watch one of the following movies: "A Civil Action", "Philadelphia", "Liar, Liar", "The Rainmaker", "Monsters, Inc.", or "Runaway Jury". Write a five-page, double-spaced paper focusing on legal and ethical issues depicted in the film. Rather than summarizing the plot, analyze specific scenes or events to identify legal violations, ethical dilemmas, or decision-making processes that relate to business law. Discuss how characters or corporations’ actions could have been handled differently to avoid legal conflicts or ethical breaches, demonstrating understanding of legal concepts such as liability, contracts, or ethical standards.
D. Television Reality Show Analysis
Choose five or more episodes from a business-focused reality television show, such as "The Apprentice", "Shark Tank", or "Undercover Boss". Produce a five-page, double-spaced paper that briefly describes the tasks assigned in each episode, then analyzes the legal and ethical issues demonstrated. Use specific examples such as employment law, advertising ethics, resource management, or contractual disputes. For each episode, discuss what legal or ethical considerations participants should be aware of, and how their actions could be improved to reflect sound legal compliance and ethical conduct. For example, analyzing an episode where a team promotes a service using controversial marketing tactics, considering implications of advertising laws, stereotypes, or fair competition.
Important Notes
This work must be original and demonstrate a thoughtful analysis rooted in business law principles. Plagiarism or copying from sources without proper attribution will result in disqualification from extra credit eligibility. Please select one option and complete the assignment by the specified deadline. For approval of alternative projects, contact the instructor beforehand.
References
- Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. Oxford University Press.
- Gillespie, R. (2014). Business Law and the Regulation of Business. Pearson.
- Klein, S. (2019). Business Law: Legal Environment, Online Commerce, Business Ethics, and International Issues. Cengage Learning.
- Heath, J. (2014). Morality, Competition, and the Firm: The Ethics of Business. Oxford University Press.
- Freeman, R. E., & Reed, D. L. (1983). Stockholders and Stakeholders: A New Perspective on Corporate Governance. California Management Review.
- Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
- O’Neill, O. (2002). A Question of Trust. Cambridge University Press.
- Donaldson, T., & Preston, L. E. (1995). The Stakeholder Theory of the Corporation: Concepts, Evidence, and Implications. Academy of Management Review.
- Boatright, J. R. (2013). Ethics and the Conduct of Business. Pearson.
- Friedman, M. (1970). The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase its Profits. The New York Times Magazine.