LW2BUSNU-Business Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: LW2ILNU International Law IL2AWCNU Writing Credit (Legal English)
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Cosmas Anyakudo
Email: c.anyakudo@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed as an introduction to the fundamental principles and legislation governing the conduct of business under English law. It further introduces students to the professional services that serve the business community. Students will engage with the law of agency, the various corporate entities (including the rules and processes for their formation) and insolvency law. Study of relevant aspects of criminal law with focus on business-related offences will be undertaken with aspects of employment and social security law. It also gives students the opportunity to explore the environmental and corporate social responsibility issues that contemporary business deal with. 

Aims:

The module aims to expose students to aspects of law that impact contemporary businesses in the course of their operations. It will provide an understanding of business relations and the regulations that govern their conduct. The module provides a multi-faceted perspective of the internal and external legal obligations of businesses with an exploration of contemporary issues which affect the conduct of business activities by its members and as corporate entities. It also aims to provide a rounded description of the core features of business law if taken independently. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to: 

 

• Understand the implication of incorporation and the role of shareholders and directors


• Demonstrate a substantive knowledge of the foundational aspects of business law and relevant regulations that impact on day-to-day operations.


• Evaluate and analyse the circumstances that give rise to personal and corporate responsibilities of busines s operators.


• Demonstrate an ability to debate contemporary ethical issues that businesses contend with both internally and externally. 

 

 

Additional outcomes:

Those skills listed in the School of Law's ‘Core Skills Statement’. 

Outline content:

The module will usually cover topics such as: • Forms of Business Entities – Sole Trader, Partnerships and Limited Companies • Company Formation - Incorporation of Businesses Entities • The Law of Agency  • Employment Law  • Social Security Law  • Corporate Accountability • Introduction to Insolvency Law 

Global context:

Business law interrogates the various aspects of domestic English Law that impacts businesses and their internal and external operations. This module engages the regulatory framework for businesses and the professionals that serve them. It also explores contemporary ethical issues that transcends national boundaries as businesses become increasingly transnational in outlook. 

 

 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught by way of 20 hours of lectures (in 1 hour or 2 hour blocks), spread across the Autumn and Spring Terms.  The lectures will be interspersed with 4 x 2 hour seminars (two in each term), for which students are expected to prepare by undertaking specific readings and preparing questions for discussion.  In addition, in the Autumn Term, students take part in a 2 hour group treaty negotiation exercise (practical class), led by the tutor. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	12	10
Seminars	6	5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10	10
Wider reading (directed)	25	25
Exam revision/preparation			15
Preparation for seminars	6	6
Completion of formative assessment tasks	10	10
Essay preparation	25	25
Total hours by term	94	91	15
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Written assignment including essay	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One 2.5-hour examination paper counting for 80% of the marks. Three questions to be answered from a selection of questions. A compulsory question will carry 40% and two others 20% each. 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One 3-page report on the in-class treaty negotiation exercise formatted in accordance with the rules set out in the Law School Guide (programme assessment) counting for 20% of the marks. The report will combine: 1) a reflective review of a given text (article or book chapter) on contemporary issue on the social purpose or social responsibility of business; and  2) a brief substantive commentary on the regulatory implications of a prescribed business activity. 

Formative assessment methods:

One 4-page non-assessed essay formatted in accordance with the rules set out in the Law School Guide (programme assessment). 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall. 

Reassessment arrangements:

• Re-examination.

• Essay to be resubmitted, on a new question

• Report on the practical exercise to be resubmitted, as improved by feedback from first submission. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2021