Module BIC-0013:
Business Law

Module Facts

Run by Marketing: Bangor International College

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Mrs Laura McKenzie

Overall aims and purpose

This module is intended to provide a functional knowledge relating to the basic rights and liabilities in law that may affect the modern business. There are a number of issues that will affect all businesses at one time or another:

There is the need to know the main types of business entity, such as a partnership or a company, and their differences in law

There is the need for a business to know the main elements of the legal system in England and Wales, including the Small Claims Track

A business must understand what its rights and responsibilities are within this legal framework; understanding the formation and nature of a contract in law, or liability in negligence is an absolute must for anyone wishing to enter business.

Course content

The main topics studied in the module are:

a) Main elements of the legal system in England and Wales as it relates to businesses and their activities

b) Different types of businesses and how their differences affect their management structures and the legal responsibilities they have under the law.

c) Law around the concept of negligence and the responsibilities of businesses in this regard

d) Introduction to the law of tort

e) Consumer protection legislation

f) Introduction to the notion of ethical behaviour in business

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Grade A

Student has engaged consistently well with all aspects of the module and strong achievement in assessments indicates the ability to perform effectively at undergraduate degree level.

threshold

Grade D

Student has made sufficient progress in the study of this module to achieve the lowest level of pass allowing for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

good

Grade B

Student has displayed a sound basic knowledge and understanding of much of the material studied in this module and achieved a high enough grade to indicate a clear ability to cope with the demands of an undergraduate level degree.

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate an appropriate awareness of the way in which the law impacts upon modern business, in the guise of case law and statute

  2. Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of modern business entities, contract and negligence law

  3. Show an appropriate facility in handling source material and evaluating the law relevant to the issues addressed by legal problem situations

  4. Demonstrate an appropriate capacity for analytic and deductive reasoning, particularly through the use of problem solving by way of case-study questions

  5. Present competent and coherent arguments

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
CLASS TEST Class test

An interim test set mid-way through the module and having a focus on the topics covered in the first half of the module. Specific and task relevant assessment criteria.

 30
EXAM Final exam

The final exam will assess the knowledge and understanding developed by the students over the duration of the module. Specific and task relevant assessment criteria.

 70

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Private study

Private Study – reading time, preparing and taking assessments 50 hours

 50
Seminar

50 hours of seminar style classes – 5 hours a week through a 10-week term

 50

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the business environment, legal processes and systems
  • Apply a range of perspectives to the analysis of legal and social issues including global issues.
  1. Oral communication
  2. Written communication
  3. Critical and evaluative thinking
  4. Construction of reasoned arguments

Resources

Reading list

Jones, Lucy (2015) Introduction to Business Law 3rd edition Oxford University Press Marson, J. and Ferris, K. (2015) Business Law 4th edition Oxford University Press Elliott, C and Quinn, E (2009) Contract Law 7th edition

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: