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Unit of study_

BUSS4712: Business Law Honours A

Semester 1, 2022 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This is a compulsory Honours coursework unit offered to Business Law Honours students. The aim of the unit is to give students an understanding of jurisprudence and regulatory theory relating to business, in preparation for writing their dissertations.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BUSS4712
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
Students must meet the entry requirements to the Honours program, including completion of a pass undergraduate degree and a major in the specialisation area
Corequisites
? 
BUSS4001 and BUSS4713
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eva Huang, eva.huang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
Written exam
70% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment Essay
Essay
30% Week 05 3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Essay: This is an essay on a theory that may be applicable to a classmate's research. Students could choose from either a theory of jurisprudence or a regulatory theory for their discussion. 
  • Final exam: This is an exam with two problem-based questions. Students are given a choice of six business scenarios and six real jurisdictions. The task requires students to provide regulatory advice for a hypothetical jurisdiction that has characteristics of one of the listed jurisdictions. Students will choose to advice on two business scenarios, each for a different jurisdiction.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Theory: introduction to jurisprudence. Business Regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business Issue: types of business activities, and types of business; management activities. Why do they need to be regulated? Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 02 1. Theory: what is the meaning of law? Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: why do we contract? Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 03 1. Theory: natural law. Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: businesses as persons and their responsibilities. Corporate governance. Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 04 1. Theory: comparative law. The laws of China as a contrast. Business Regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: globalisation and the international dimension of carrying on a business. China as an example Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 05 1. Theory: positivism Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: business failure is a reality Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 06 1. Theory: pure theory of law. Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: Benjamin Franklin said about the American Constitution: “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Why are taxes so certain? Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 07 1. Theory: the rule of law. Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: banks and security Markets, how do we know that our money is safe? Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 08 1. Theory: sociological jurisprudence. Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: raising capital, “maybe we should merge?” Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 10 1. Theory: realism - American and Scandinavian. Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: competition and consumers Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 11 1. Theory: What is Justice? Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: property and intellectual property Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 12 1. Theory: historical jurisprudence Business regulation theory relating to business issue 2. Business issue: record keeping Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 13 1. Theory: adjudication. Business regulation theory relating to business issue; 2. Business issue: student’s choice Lecture (5 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.
  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for this unit of study, unless granted exemption through special consideration, special arrangement, previously arranged disability adjustment, of by the Associate Dean. The Associate Dean may determine that a student fails this unit of study because of inadequate attendance.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

  • MDA Freeman, Lloyd’s Introduction to Jurisprudence.
  • Christine Parker, Colin Scott, Nicola Lacey, and John Braithwaite, Regulating Law.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand how theory applies in researching business and related regulatory and compliance issues
  • LO2. understand a range of jurisprudence and regulatory theories that inform individual research.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.