BUL 6652: Regulatory and Reporting Environments in Business

Syllabus – Spring 2019

Section 792

Instructor: Nicole F. Stowell, J.D., M.B.A.

Office: LPH 316G
Office Phone: 727-873-4543
Email: nstowell@mail.usf.edu

Distance Learning:
This course will be delivered online through the Canvas system (usflearn.instructure.com). All lectures,
PowerPoint slides, and other course material will be posted on this site. It is recommended that you use Google
Chrome. Please make sure that your pop-up blockers are disabled.

If your home computer does not meet the recommended technical requirements, there are computers
available on campus (for example, on the first floor of the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library).

Course Description:
This course provides exposure to the regulatory and reporting environments that affect contemporary
businesses, including study and analysis of current board of director topics and other governance matters. The
course includes an overview of securities regulation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, with coverage of
corporate reporting issues, independence, transparency, and corporate governance analyses. The course
coverage includes the uniform commercial code (UCC), contracts and torts considerations as affecting
commercial enterprises.
The course surveys various legal and regulatory matters facing businesses such as business
communications and workplace equity. An overview of U.S. governmental hierarchy is considered from its
1789 Constitutional underpinnings to detailed legislation and court opinions with significant influence over
business organizations. The course is a training tool for boards of directors. The interaction of the business
model within various spheres of economic, social, cultural, environmental, political, and legal influences is
considered and developed throughout the course.

Legal Advice:
Please know that neither this course nor the instructor intends to give any particular legal advice. If you
feel you need the assistance of an attorney, please contact me for a referral.

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Course Goals and Objectives:
Students completing BUL 6652, Regulatory and Reporting Environments in Business, should have the
ability to:
1. Differentiate between the federal court system and the state court system.
2. Describe the litigation process.
o Pre-trial
o Trial
o Post-trial
3. Distinguish between the different business entities.
o Sole proprietorships
o Franchises
o Partnerships
o Limited Liability Companies
o Corporations
4. Describe the documentation needed to form a business entity.
5. Describe the liability of an owner of each business entity.
6. Define a valid contract.
7. Evaluate contract formation.
8. Distinguish between personal property and real property.
9. Describe estate planning.

Exams:
Two exams will be given, as indicated below. The exams will cover material in your chapter readings
and material covered during lectures. Each exam will consist of 80 multiple-choice questions and true/false
questions. No exam will be comprehensive in scope.

Exams will open at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday and close at 11:00 p.m. on Friday. You will have 120
minutes to take the exam. Questions not answered within the time limit will be given a zero. There is only one
attempt for the exam. If your work or personal affairs will interfere with a scheduled exam, you should take this
course at a different time.

The exams are open book and open note; however, no electronic devices or aids (other than the
computer you are using for the exam) will be permitted in the exam area. Please note that if you are using an e-
book for the course, you will not have access to it during the exam. All cell phones are to be turned off and put
away during the exams. Any student caught cheating on an exam will be given a failing grade for the course
and reported for further proceedings to University of South Florida – St. Petersburg. Canvas and Proctorio have
good tracking information.

A missed exam will result in a grade of zero unless there are exceptional circumstances which have been
discussed with the instructor prior to the exam; otherwise, no makeup exams are given. In general, I only make
accommodations in the case of extreme emergencies. What constitutes “exceptional circumstances” and
“extreme emergencies” are in the instructors’ sole and absolute discretion. Arrangements require two-way, in-
person contact with documentation on the “exceptional circumstance” and/or “extreme emergency”.
Documentation must be presented before the makeup exam is given. At the instructor’s option, any makeup
examination may be in essay format.

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 For a reference guide on how to take an exam in Canvas, please visit this website:
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4212/l/41977-how-do-i-take-a-quiz.

Online Proctoring Statement:

All students must review the syllabus and the requirements including the online terms and video testing
requirements to determine if they wish to remain in the course. Enrollment in the course is an agreement to
abide by and accept all terms. Any student may elect to drop or withdraw from this course before the end of the
drop/add period. If a student is found violating the Proctorio requirements/settings, the student will be required
to retake the exam during the instructor’s office hours and all future exams may require on campus testing
during the instructor’s office hours. Please see the last page of this syllabus for the Proctorio settings and
requirements.
Online exams within this course require online proctoring. Therefore, students will be required to have a
webcam (USB or internal) with a microphone when taking an exam. Students understand that this remote
recording device is purchased and controlled by the student and that recordings from any private residence must
be done with the permission of any person residing in the residence. To avoid any concerns in this regard,
students should select private spaces for the testing. The University library and other academic sites at the
University offer secure private settings for recordings and students with concerns may discuss location of an
appropriate space for the recordings with their instructor or advisor. Students must ensure that any recordings
do not invade any third party privacy rights and accept all responsibility and liability for violations of any third
party privacy concerns. Setup information will be provided prior to taking the proctored exam. For additional
information about online proctoring you can visit the online proctoring student FAQ.

Examination Review:
Students may make an appointment to review an examination in the instructor’s office, which
appointment request must be made within one (1) week (which includes holidays) after the administration of the
examination. Please send me an e-mail within one (1) week after the examination requesting a review. Beyond
the five minute review period, questions and answers will not be available on Canvas.

Introduction Forum:
By the end of the first week of class (see Canvas for the exact due date), please introduce yourself to the
class on Canvas. This Introduction Forum will be worth up to five (5) points to be calculated in your final
course grade. To earn the full five (5) points, you will need to present all of the information that I have
requested and must be free of grammatical and spelling errors. A student who uses foul language or is rude or
abusive to other course participants will automatically receive a zero (0) for the Introductory Forum grade.

Business Entity Project and Contract Drafting Project:

Two projects will be due on the due dates and times listed below and on Canvas. These projects are
designed to provide students with exposure to and experience with identifying legal and business issues,
practicing transactional drafting skills, and professionalism skills. The detailed information and rubrics for each
project can be found in Canvas.

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Textbook:
Custom Textbook published by Cengage, Business Law, Text and Cases, Twelfth Edition, Clarkson,
Miller, Cross

Textbook:
ISBN 9781305000995

Grading Policy:
The final grade for the course will be based on the following:

Introductory Forum Possibility of 5 points

Exam #1: Possibility of 80 points
Exam #2: Possibility of 80 points
Business Entity Project: Possibility of 60 points
Contract Drafting Project: Possibility of 60 points

For example, at the end of the semester, the total points for the semester will be 285. If a student scores
5 points on the Introductory Forum, 75 on the first exam and 70 points on the second exam, 55 points on the
Business Entity Project and 55 points on the Contract Drafting Project, the student’s total points for the
semester would be 260, which is a final grade of 91% (260/285). Please refer to this formula throughout the
semester and at the end of the semester to calculate your grade. Due the short deadline for delivering final
grades to the Registrar’s Office, I will not give out final grades via e-mail or telephone. Final course
grades will be calculated using Excel. At the end of the semester, you can enter all of your scores into Excel to
determine your final grade. If Excel rounds up to the next whole percentage (i.e., 92%, 88%, 75%, etc.), then so
will your grade; if Excel does not round up, then your grade will not.

Grades will not be arbitrarily changed nor will there be special projects, research reports, or extra
credit of any kind given to individuals or the class at the end of the semester under any circumstances.

Final course grades are not negotiable. Grades will only be changed if a grade resulted in a
mathematical error. If you need a specific grade to graduate, avoid probation, or keep a scholarship, you
are responsible for earning that grade.

The final course grades will be allocated as follows:

A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 – 89.99%
C = 70 – 79.99%
D = 60 – 69.99%
F = 0 – 59.99%

The Academic Success Center (ASC):

The ASC provides academic support through individual and small group tutoring sessions,
workshops, seminars, credit courses and academic coaching. The ASC consultants will help you solve
problems, better understand assignments, brainstorm ideas, develop study skills and learning strategies, prepare
for exams and tests, and much more. To schedule an appointment, please visit http://www.stpt.usf.edu/success
or call 727-873-4632.

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PowerPoint Slides:
PowerPoint slides for each chapter are posted on Canvas. Each student is responsible for printing out
the slides.

The slides are the personal property of the instructor and may not be sold, copied, or posted on the
Internet. Anyone doing so will receive a failing grade for the course and/or reported for further proceedings
with University of South Florida – St. Petersburg.

Copyrights:
The sale of class notes is prohibited.

Grades, Canvas, and Email:

The instructor utilizes Canvas for posting grades. Grades are generally posted fourteen (14) days (or
less) after due dates. Canvas is required to access grades and other, pertinent course information.

It is your responsibility to learn how to use Canvas. You must access your USF e-mail account regularly.
I will post announcements and send e-mail to all students registered in the course, but only through USF e-mail
accounts. I cannot access your personal e-mail account through Canvas. It is your responsibility to ensure that
e-mail sent to your USF e-mail account is being forwarded to your preferred e-mail account. If you send me an
e-mail from an account other than your USF e-mail account and I do not respond within 48-hours, please take
that as an indication that I did not receive the e-mail and send the e-mail from your USF e-mail account.

Email Etiquette:
- View an email to a professor as a professional interaction. Begin your email by addressing your professor
by title and name (Professor Smith or Dr. Smith) and end your email with a closing and your signature
and a note that you are in the R&R course.
- Do not make demands – please be courteous and phrase what you are asking for as a request.
- Please read over your email before sending to check that what you have written is appropriate.
- When in doubt about how to speak, write, or act, always err on the side of formality. You will never
offend or annoy someone by being overly formal and polite.

Course Policies:
Successful completion of this course will require you to apply yourself to learn the materials covered in
the course. There is normally a very strong correlation between the amount of diligent effort put forth and
successful learning outcomes. To aid this process, students are expected to view the lectures, complete the
examinations, and complete the two projects.

Syllabus controls:
This syllabus controls all matters related to the class. In no event will student requests for exceptions be
granted. Requests for separate or special treatment will be considered to be a “disruption of the academic
process” in accordance with the USF Graduate Catalog 2001-2004, or later, and will be dealt with in accordance
with the procedures therein depending on the nature and seriousness of the offense. In the event of policy,
catalog, or other differences between the USF catalog and a St. Petersburg campus policy, the St. Petersburg
campus policy will control.

This syllabus may be revised during the semester to correct errors, provide clarification or to articulate
university and/or college policies. In addition, the instructor reserves the right to make changes as she deems
necessary for the administration of the course. Emergencies, including extreme weather conditions, security

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issues and other matters may also result in changes to the course format, this syllabus and scheduled classes,
lectures, etc.

Name changes (marriage, etc.):

In the event a student’s name changes during the semester the instructor should be notified in writing.

Religious Holidays/Observances:
Students should notify the instructor of religious holidays that a student intends to observe by the second
week of class. If a religious holiday/observance conflicts with a scheduled exam, arrangements to take the
exam at an earlier date must be made no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled exam date.

Drop Deadline:
Students are responsible for the deadline(s) for dropping a class. This information can be found at the
following website: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/admissions/calendar.htm.

Withdrawal:
In order to be withdrawn from a graduate level course (5000+), students must contact the Graduate
School at their institution and request withdrawal from the course. This also includes Undergraduate students
who take a course at the 5000 level. Students will be required to submit a graduate petition and select “drop” in
order to have their request considered for approval.

Academic Dishonesty:
See USF Policy on Academic Dishonesty and Disruption of Academic Process at
www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0304/adadap.htm. Because of the University’s commitment to academic integrity,
plagiarism or cheating on course work or on examinations will result in penalties that may include a grade of
“F” for the specific exam or course work and a grade of “F” or “FF” for the course. Any incident of academic
dishonesty will be reported to the dean of the college. Definitions and punishment guidelines for Plagiarism,
Cheating, and Student Disruption of the Academic Process may be found at the web address listed above.

Students with Disabilities:

Please notify me by the second day of class if you have a learning disability or require special assistance
with this course. Confidential personal and learning assistance counseling are made available to students
through the Division of Student Affairs.

This course is delivered through the Canvas Learning Management System. Canvas has received Gold
Level Certification from the National Federation for the Blind (NFB), as an accessible learning management
system. For more information about the accessibility of Canvas, visit
http://www.Canvas.com/Platforms/Learn/Resources/Accessibility.aspx.

Key Leadership Skills and Perspectives Addressed in This Course:

Written and Oral Information Innovation and Ethics and Global and
Communication Technology Critical Sustainability Multicultural
Skills Thinking Competence
5 4 4 4 2

 Written and Oral Communication – one assignment in which students drafting documents to form a
business entity and another assignment in which the students draft a contract.

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  Information Technology Skills – use of Canvas for online exams and research.
 Innovation and Critical Thinking – understanding that the law is a set of general rules and then applying
the general rules to actual situations and/or hypothetical situations.
 Ethics and Sustainability – discussion of the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, and fiduciary duties for
officers and board of directors of corporation, partners in a partnership, and members/managers in a
limited liability company.
 Global and Multicultural Competence – lecture on alternative dispute resolution.

Tentative Video Course Schedule:

Module Readings/Lectures/Assignments/Exams
Week 1 (Week of March 3rd) Introduction and Syllabus Review
Chapter 2, Courts and ADR
Chapter 3, Court Procedures

Week 2 (Week of March 10th) Spring Break

Week 3 (Week of March 17th) Begin Chapter 36, Sole Proprietorships and
Franchises
Chapter 37, Partnerships, LP, LLP, LLLP
Chapter 38, Limited Liability Companies

Week 4 (Week of March 24th) Begin Chapter 39, Corporations – Formation and
Financing
Chapter 40, Corporations – Directors, Officers, and
Shareholders

Week 5 (Week of March 31st) Finish Chapter 39, Corporations – Formation and
Financing
Chapter 40, Corporations – Directors, Officers, and
Shareholders

Week 5 (April 4th and 5th) EXAM #1

Week 6 (April 8th at 5:00 pm) Business Entity Project Due

Week 6 (Week of April 7th) Chapter 10, Nature and Terminology

Chapter 11, Agreement
Chapter 12, Consideration

Week 7 (Week of April 14th) Chapter 13, Capacity and Legality

Chapter 15, Statute of Frauds

Week 8 (Week of April 21st) Chapter 49, Personal Property

(Excluding Bailments)
Chapter 50, Real Property

Week 8 (April 26th at 5:00 pm) Contract Drafting Project Due

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Week 9 (Week of April 28th) Chapter 50, Landlord/Tenant Relationships
Chapter 52, Wills, Trusts, and Elder Law

Week 9 (May 2nd and May 3rd) EXAM #2

Proctorio and Exams

All exams will be proctored with the “Proctorio” proctoring software. Proctorio will be monitoring video,
audio, and screen activity.

The requirements and rules for the exams are as follows:

-Students will need: a picture ID, a webcam, and the Chrome browser with the Proctorio extension for each
exam.

-Besides the testing computer, no cell phones, computers, or other electronic devices that can transmit
information may be used during the exam.

-Earbuds and headsets are NOT allowed to be used during exams.

-Hats and sunglasses are NOT allowed.

-Exams must be taken in a private, quiet space. No one else is allowed in the testing area (this includes, but is
not limited to, pets and children). Students are NOT allowed to talk to, whisper to, or otherwise interact with
others during exams. Students should also refrain from getting up and leaving the exams during the testing
period. The testing environment should be the same as if you were in a classroom.

-Students have to ensure that their full face is visible through the webcam at all times.

-Students also have to make sure that their work space has sufficient lighting so that their face is well lit and
visible through the webcam.

-Any improper use of identification cards or electronic devices or any other suspicious actions will be subject to
disciplinary actions.

- Any sharing of information about the exams is considered cheating and will also result in disciplinary actions.

-Just like a traditional in-person exam, cheating is determined by the instructor after reviewing the recording of
the exam. The instructor will contact the student if there are any concerns. At the instructor’s sole discretion,
any student found violating the above requirements and rules will be required to take the exams on campus
during the instructor’s office hours.

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Note: If you don't have a webcam or don’t want to use your own equipment, the USF libraries have spaces
available as well as computers that have the necessary requirements. I suggest that you always contact the
library ahead of time when you are planning to take an exam there.

USFSP Library: There are laptops for checkout and desktops on the 1st floor of the library that are Proctorio
ready. Please go to the front desk to reserve one. These computers are reserved on a first come, first serve
basis, so plan to arrive well before the exam period.

USF Tampa Library: If you are planning to take the exam at the USF Tampa library, you will have to reserve a
space ahead of time. Please make sure that you reserve the space for the appropriate amount of time or you will
run the risk of having to leave the space before you can finish your exam.