GSZ412 Business Law


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Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 10A 2024, Gardens Point, Internal (Start Date: 30 Aug 2024)

Unit code:GSZ412
Credit points:6
Equivalent:GSN412
Anti-requisite:AYN410 and EFN413
Coordinator:Julie-Anne Tarr | j.tarr@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

It is essential for managers and business leaders to have a fundamental understanding of the legal context in which they operate to ensure their rights and the rights of their organisations are protected, to avoid transactional problems arising over the course of their business dealings and to identify when professional legal expertise should be sought. This unit emphasises the reasoning process that lawyers follow. It is not designed to turn students into legal experts but is included in the program to provide students with foundational knowledge and understanding of regulatory frameworks that impact Australia’s businesses and to foster awareness of emerging global trends in commercial dealings. The unit is positioned mid-way in the program as a study of business law requires students to have a broad multidisciplinary, 'big picture' understanding of businesses and how they operate. The unit provides a solid foundation for a later unit GSN/Z473.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the sources of law, legal nature of entities, commercial transactions and consumer rights. KS 1.1
  2. Interpret and apply relevant legal provisions to commercial problems. KS 1.1, HO 2.1
  3. Research and navigate through basic legal information environments to locate information to assist in commercial decision making. KS 1.1, KS 1.2, PC 3.1
  4. Identify and analyse potential legal problems against Australian regulatory frameworks for purposes of recommending a course of action. KS1.1, HO 2.1

Content

  • Sources of Law
  • The Australian Legal Framework
  • Legal Nature of Business Entities
  • Contract Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Consumer Protection and Contract Performance
  • Competition and Consumer Act 2010
  • Corporations Act 2001

Course Learning Outcomes (Postgraduate - Executive) 
 
The Graduate School of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment: 
 
Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS) 
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge (including systems thinking approaches, multidisciplinary frameworks and knowledge of research principles and methods) that incorporate recent development in business disciplines and professional practice. 
1.2 Apply advanced technical and technological knowledge and skills to critically reflect on, evaluate and contribute to developments that enhance innovative, sustainable and effective business performance in local, national and global business environments. 
 
Higher Order Thinking (HO) 
2.1 Provide evidence of effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of complex data, theories, ideas, issues and situations and demonstrate knowledge of how research and inquiry can be used to interpret, contribute to and create theoretical and practical knowledge.  
2.2 Provide evidence of higher order thinking including creativity, judgement, cognitive flexibility and critical reflection in designing, planning and implementing strategies and solutions for effective performance in complex business environments. 
 
Professional Communication (PC) 
3.1 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in written communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead in diverse and complex contexts and for diverse audiences. 
3.2 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in oral communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead across diverse and complex contexts and for diverse audiences. 
 
Self and Leadership (SL) 
4.1 Demonstrate adaptive personal leadership and accountability, including self-awareness, reflective practice and foresight in adapting and applying knowledge and skills to inform and influence effective and innovative practice. 
4.2 Lead, manage and foster the development of collaborative teams that value and leverage the diverse knowledge and skills of others to contribute to the development of robust, adaptable and sustainable courses of action. 
 
Social, Ethical and Cultural Understanding (SEC) 
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business, to contribute to responsible organisational governance and citizenship in local, national and global business environments. 
5.2 Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate, interpret and critically reflect on, appropriate culturally and socially inclusive and responsible decisions and actions across diverse social and cultural contexts. 

Learning Approaches

This unit adopts a blended learning approach and as such, includes a variety of teaching and learning approaches.

Intensive face-to-face class sessions and/or webinars are the primary methods of teaching this unit. A textbook and/or readings and a range of digital materials that are designed to support and extend learning prior to, during and after class sessions available in the unit Canvas site supplements the classes and/or webinars. Where appropriate, social media tools and forums will be used to extend learning and build connections with students outside the class or webinar sessions. Given the importance of the unit Canvas site to the teaching and learning strategy used in this unit, a computer and tablet device with internet access is strongly recommended for all students.

The principal purpose of the classes, webinars and readings is to build upon the key concepts that were introduced through the Preparation for Class activities and readings. The purpose of the case study work, experiential learning tasks and assessment tasks is to help the student develop their understanding of the concepts and enable them to be applied within a range of business contexts.

There is an expectation that the student will participate in class sessions and/or webinars, to take advantage of the opportunity to discuss important issues with their instructor and their peers.

It is expected that students have completed all Preparation for Class activities and readings identified in the unit Canvas site prior to coming to class and/or webinar to be able to maximise the learning opportunities of the class sessions.

A variety of learning activities designed to engage students in their learning will be incorporated into the lectures/workshops and webinars. Such learning activities may include short lectures, class discussions, debates, role plays, group work, guest speakers, student presentations, simulations, case study analysis, videos, readings, wikis, media/current events reports, web searches, etc.
There is a commitment to critical inquiry and intellectual debate in regard to the material covered with a particular focus on the application of holistic thinking and Systems Thinking approaches to solving complex problems Students are encouraged to relate the theories and research discussed to situations known to them and will be encouraged to share their experiences relating to the topics explored in this unit with the class to enrich the overall learning experience of all students.

Expanding the awareness of Australian management policies and practices into intercultural and global perspectives is fostered within this unit. Typically, students enrolling in this unit have extremely varied backgrounds. There is diversity of professional background and socio-cultural background. Students are reminded that this is to their advantage and they have much to learn from one another. To this end, students are strongly encouraged to be sensitive to cultural, gender-related and international issues.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive a variety of feedback throughout this unit.
Informally, feedback will be given verbally in class through class discussions and during the debriefing of learning activities.
Direct feedback will be available to those students who request a private or group consultation session with the lecturer.
Formal feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks through a Criterion Reference Assessment sheet which will also include written feedback on the assessment task. The Criterion Reference Assessment Sheet will be available in the unit Canvas site at the commencement of the unit. Students will receive feedback on their formative assessment task prior to their summative assessment task being submitted.

Assessment

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Essay

Students are presented with a scenario seeking legal advice on a real-world commercial issue. They are required to prepare written advice, including recommendations, which applies relevant legal provisions to the specified commercial problem. The written advice may take the form of a legal essay or a memorandum.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.1), PC (3.1)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 1,700 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): as timetabled
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Final Examination

Students will be provided with short case studies and are required to write short essay responses to questions. These responses require students to draw upon the learning in modules 1 - 6 to analyse and apply relevant legal provisions to a commercial problem and make well-justified recommendations.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS 1.1, HO 2.1

Weight: 60
Length: 2 hours plus 15 minutes perusal
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): as timetabled
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Symes, C., Parker, D., Fitzpatrick, J., & Veljanovski, A. (2022). Business and Corporations Law (5th ed.). Lexis Nexis Australia.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate Executive)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Essay, Final Examination

KS (1.1): Advanced Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Final Examination

KS (1.2): Advanced Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: ULO3, Essay

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO3, Essay

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

GS50 Executive Master of Business Administration

  1. Apply current and emerging technologies and technology skills to contribute to innovative, sustainable and effective business performance solutions to address global complex business challenges and opportunities.
    Relates to: Essay
  2. Critically analyse, interpret, evaluate and synthesise complex data, research, theoretical knowledge, ideas and situations to lead and support decision-making in global complex business environments.
    Relates to: Essay
  3. Demonstrate advanced professional written communication skills in a variety of genres to clearly communicate strategic and complex thinking, engage, persuade, influence and lead diverse stakeholders in a range of contexts.
    Relates to: Essay