BUS 220, Legal Environment of Business

Syllabus

Spring 2026 

Course Information

Class Days/Times: Monday and Wednesday, 4:00 – 5:15 PM.

Credit Hours: 3

Mode of Delivery: Virtual and in person.

Zoom link for virtual:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85779136769

Building/Room number for in person: GSK 2

Instructor Information

Name: Wendi Cline

Phone/Voice Mail: 520-977-7325

E-mail: wcline@tocc.edu

Office location: Faculty Building, Room 119

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 11:00 – 12:15 PM.  Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88514616901

Tuesday and Thursday: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88903799238

Course Description

Introduces the legal, ethical, and international environment of business. Includes an introduction to law, ethics and corporate responsibility, judicial system and litigation, alternative dispute resolution, administrative agencies, crimes and torts, contract law, product liability, international business law, agency law, and legal forms of business enterprises.

 Course Learning Outcomes

 To improve your ability to recognize and manage legal risks in business decision making.

1. To assist you in making more ethical decisions, individually and as an

2. To introduce you to legal processes and substantive legal topics affecting business, including employment relationships, business formation, international law,
   contracts, etc.
3. To encourage critical thinking in order to examine all sides of a discussion.

Course Structure

 This course will be conducted in person and virtually. Regular attendance is required.  You must notify me via email if you need to miss a class.  This will be done before the scheduled class meeting you are going to miss.  (or as soon as possible thereafter if it is an emergency situation) Attendance will be taken each class period.  It will be factored into your final grade.

Course Learning Materials and Textbook Information

Required : https://openstax.org/details/books/business-law-i-essentials

Important Dates

2026 Spring Admissions Deadline:                Jan. 2, , 2026

 First Day of Instruction:                                  Jan. 12, 2026

 Registration (to add) Deadline:                     Jan. 16, 2026

Martin Luther King, Jr. – College Closed     Jan. 19, 2026

Drop/Full Refund Deadline                             Jan. 26, 2026

Spring/Summer Grad App. Due                     Feb. 6, 2026

Presidents’ Day – College closed                  Feb. 16, 2026

45th Day Census                                               Feb. 25, 2026

SPRING BREAK                                                 Mar. 9-13, 2026

2026 Summer/Fall Registration begins        Mar. 16, 2026

Withdrawal Deadline                                      March 30, 2026

Last Day of Instruction                                    May 8, 2026  

Final Grades Due                                              May 15, 2026

Spring 2026 Commencement                       May 22, 2026

 Courses Outline and Schedule of Activities

 

WEEK	TOPIC
1 1/12	Introductions, Syllabus, Housekeeping items, etc., Chapter 1: Introduction to Law and Types of Legal Systems Chapt. 1 quiz
2 1/19	Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. day – No class Chapter 2: Disputes and Dispute Settlements Chapt. 2 quiz
3 1/26	Chapter 3: Business, Ethics and Social Responsibility Chapter 3 Quiz
4 2/2	Chapter 4: Business and the United States Constitution   Full Quiz 1
5 2/9	Chapter 5: Criminal Liability Chapter 5 Quiz
6 2/16	Mondaym Feb, 16 Presidents’ Day No class Chapter 6: The Tort System Chapter 6 Quiz
7 2/23	Chapter 7: Contract Law Contract Exercise Full Quiz 2
8 3/2	Chapter 8: Sales Contracts Chapter 8 Quiz
3/9	SPRING BREAK
9 3/16	Chapter 9: Labor and Employment Law Chapter 9 Quiz
10 3/23	Chapter 10: Government Regulation Chapter 10 Quiz
11 3/30	Chapter 11: Antitrust Law Chapter 11 Quiz
12 4/6	Chapter 12: Unfair Trade Practices and the Federal Trade Commission
13 4/13	Chapter 13: International Law
14 4/20	Chapter 14: Securities Regulation
15 4/27	TBD
16 5/4	Finals Week Final Paper Due

 Grading Scheme:

90 and above is an A                    

80 - 89 is a B

70 - 79 is a C

60 - 69 is a D

Under 60 is Failing

 Himdag Cultural Component 

  Students are encouraged to explore and apply the Himdag in their professional lives.  The application of the T-So:son is a necessary requirement to be a successful supervisor and manager.

 Policies and Expectations

Attendance Policy

• As a college student, your instructors expect the following from you:
  • Log into your Canvas shell and do the first activity during the first week of classes. Failure to do so may result in you being withdrawn from the course.
  • Arrive to class on time and be prepared to participate in each class period.
  • Be physically and mentally present. Four unexcused absences may result in a withdrawal.
  • Immediately notify the instructor if you will be absent from class for religious observances and practices, for illness, for school or work-related travel or for personal or family emergency.
  • Be prepared to provide evidence to justify your absences.
  • In person students: You must attend class in person.  If you join the Zoom meeting online, I will remove you from class.  You may NOT attend a class session online without prior approval from the instructor.  Students will be allowed to attend a class period online if they are unable to attend in person, due to illness, child care issues, etc.  NOTE: approval from the instructor is for that particular class period ONLY.  You will be expected to attend in person beginning with the next class period
  • Cell Phone Use:

No cell phone use is allowed during class. Use of cell phones during class, unless permitted by your instructor, is a violation of the T-So:son. Also, it is prohibited to attend a Zoom class using a cell phone while driving. Please park your car by the side of the road so you can attend class.

Make-up policy:

Assignments will not be reopened once they have been closed.  If you need to submit a late assignment.  Contact me first, and we will work out the details.

 Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity refers to honest and ethical conduct in all aspects of academic life. The primary attributes of academic integrity are honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and responsibility. Some violations to the Academic Integrity policy are:

• Plagiarism (copying and pasting from the web or from previous work created for a different course)
• Cheating (copying or presenting work as yours when you did not create it)
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), if prohibited by the faculty, and/or without disclosure of its use.
• That you work in groups or pairs, it does not mean that all of you will have exactly the same work.
• Falsification or fabrication of results or records.
• Allowing others to use and submit your work as theirs

All forms of academic deceit constitute academic misconduct that may result in serious disciplinary consequences. All students and faculty members are responsible for reporting suspected instances of academic misconduct.  Find the complete Academic Integrity Policy in the Academic Catalog.

 Course Feedback:

All assignments will be graded and returned to you promptly, typically within a week after the assignment is closed.  E-mail and phone messages will be returned within two days.  You or the instructor may request a conference at any time during the semester. You can agree to meet with your instructor during established Office Hours.

 Incomplete Policy

Incomplete (I) grades are not awarded automatically. You must request an "I" from the instructor. The instructor can award an Incomplete only if all three of the following conditions are met:

1. You are in compliance with the attendance policy (you have attended class regularly).
2. You had unavoidable circumstance that prohibited you from completing the course (life happened).
3. You have completed over 75% of the course requirements with at least a “C” grade.

Incompletes are not a substitute for incomplete work due to frequent absences or poor academic performance. You and the instructor will complete an Incomplete Contract stating what is missing for you to complete. You and the instructor will sign the contract. If the work stated in the contract is not completed by the end of the ninth week of the following semester, the grade will be automatically changed to an F.

What happens if I cannot continue in the enrolled class?

If you cannot continue in the enrolled class, or if you feel that you need more preparation to take this class, you can withdraw from the class. The fact that you stop attending class does not mean that you withdrew from the class. There are several ways to withdraw at different times of the semester with different consequences:

1. Withdrawals within First Two Weeks of Semester. If you do not want the course to show in your transcript, you need to withdraw before the Drop/Full Refund deadline of the semester (refer to the Academic Calendar). Your instructor can also withdraw you during this time for the following reasons: you have not logged into Canvas; you have not submitted any work; and/or you have not attended class (for virtual and/or in-person classes). Refer to the Academic Catalog for the entire policy. Immediately contact your advisor if you believe you have been unjustly withdrawn from a class!
   
   
2. Withdrawal during the Semester up to the Withdrawal Deadline. TOCC Attendance Policy states that “Four unexcused absences may result in a withdrawal…” If you or your instructor withdraw you from the class the day after the Drop/Full Refund Deadline, the course will show a W in your transcripts. The last day to withdraw from the semester is March 30, 2026. Remember that the result of this withdrawal is a W in your transcript. Faculty may withdraw you from a course due to:
   1. Lack of active participation in the enrolled class.
   2. Missing four (4) consecutive course due dates for learning activities, participation, assignments, quizzes, exams, etc. (for online asynchronous classes)
   3. Being absent from the class four times (synchronous and in-person classes)
   4. If you need to stop attending a course, you must withdraw from the course. Failure to withdraw from the course will result in a failing grade (F).

 Student Withdrawal Policy “W”

If you would rather withdraw without telling your instructor, you can do it yourself by contacting Admissions and completing a Registration Transaction Form (RTF). You may withdraw from class at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester without instructor permission and without incurring any grade penalty, although a withdrawal may have Financial Aid consequences. Consult the Academic Catalog for more information.  Please be sure to withdraw yourself by [October 29, 2025. If you do not expect to complete the class, otherwise you may receive an "F" letter grade for the course. For more information on the student withdraw process, email admissions@tocc.edu. 

Equal Access Statement/Disability Accommodations

Tohono O’odham Community College seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. The College will comply with all applicable regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to ensure an equal educational opportunity. The process to receive accommodations is:

1. You self-identify as a student with a disability by contacting the Disability Resource Office.
2. Provide supporting documentation of your disability
3. You can receive accommodations only if you are approved for services through the Disability Resources Office (DRO).
4. It is your responsibility to make known to the Counselor or Disability Resource Coordinator your specific needs within the context of each class in order to receive appropriate accommodations.
5. You will work with the Counselor to develop an accommodation plan specifically designed to meet your needs and requirements. Please note that the instructor is obligated to provide accommodations only when receiving notification from the DRO.

For more information or to request academic accommodations, please contact: Anthony Osborn, TOCC Disabilities Resource Coordinator, aosborn@tocc.edu for additional information and assistance.

Title IX   

Tohono O'odham Community College encourages each student to have the knowledge and skills to be an active bystander who intervenes when anyone is observed or being harassed or endangered by sexual violence.  Sexual discrimination and sexual violence can undermine students’ academic success and quality of life on campus and beyond. We encourage students who have experienced or witnessed any form of sexual misconduct to talk about their experience and seek the support they need.

Confidential support and academic advocacy can be found with: Student Services Title IX Coordinator/Counselor located in I-We:mta Ki: Room 18.  

Conduct: Bias, Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment

Tohono O’odham Community College faculty and staff are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive campus environment as a core value.  Harassment based on age, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status will not be tolerated.

 AI Policy  

• Generative AI can play a supportive role in the learning process. While it is not a requirement, I recognize that AI can serve as a useful tool to support your learning experience. The goal is to encourage you to explore various learning aids, including generative AI powered tools, while still maintaining academic integrity. Remember to give credit where Additionally, exercise critical thinking to identify and address any inaccuracies that might arise.
  
  
• It is essential for students to be open and honest about their use of AI in assignments. My goal is to help students understand the importance of academic integrity and the responsible use of AI. Adhering to the course policies regarding AI is crucial to maintain fairness and equality for everyone in the learning environment.

 How students disclose the use of generative AI:

‘Generative AI Disclosure’; - Make sure to link the chat history

• Generative AI Disclosure: This assignment was supported by the use of the AI platform,

ChatGPT. Specifically, I used GPT 3.5 to assist in the title creation (link here), although the

final title was modified slightly. I also used ChatGPT to give me grammar feedback (link

here). I implemented the chatbot’s recommendations. 

How to Reference AI using APA format:

 Reference

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (July 30 version) [Large language model].

https://chat.openai.com/chat

Parenthetical Citation: (OpenAI, 2023)

*This citation includes the name of the organization (OpenAI), the year of publication (2023), the specific name of the model (ChatGPT), the version date (July 30), and the type of model in square brackets (Large language model). Additionally, the citation provides the URL where the model can be accessed.

 Example of an AI Disclosure:

Claude.AI & ChatGPT

AI disclosure: This guide was written with the help of Claude.AI and ChatGPT AI, generative AI platforms. Claude was used to generate an idea to this generative AI policy outline, and the human author edited and modified the provided outline. ChatGPT was used to edit the policy outline. Claude provided the first draft of the example policy language, which was reviewed and edited by the human author