Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Business Law and Ethics (Face-to-Face)

ACCT 3350-02

Course: ACCT 3350-02
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ACFN
CRN: 10262

Course Description

A study of our legal system including the Constitution, administrative law, torts, crimes, labor law, antitrust, consumer protection, environmental law, international securities, contracts, UCC Art. 2, property, bailments, business organizations, agency, and intellectual property. Also includes coverage of social responsibility and ethical issues as they relate to business within society. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

The course uses Cengage’s 7th Edition of Introduction to Business Law by Beatty, Samuelson, and Abril, published by Cengage. You may purchase either a hard copy or the online e-book. The new text book in hard copy form sells for around $60, but used copies are available at between $40-$50. The online book costs more ($110+), but is highly recommended because it will include electronic access to practice test questions, videos, and other study resources, which will be very helpful in preparing for exams.
The online version is free for the first two weeks, so I highly recommend that you try it out so you can see how helpful the practice questions and online resources are. To purchase the online book, go to the "Modules" tab in Canvas, and click on the "Register for your textbook and MindTap here" link.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 
1. Communication - Demonstrate competent and professional written communications.
2. Critical Thinking - Demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply complex laws to various facts and circumstances.
3. Ethical Reasoning - Identify Life Principles and apply a reasoning method to evaluating and resolving ethical dilemmas.
4. Problem Solving - Demonstrate the ability to resolve legal and ethical issues.

School of Business Core Abilities:
1. Be Familiar with Fundamental Principles and Tools in Business
2. Understand Ethical Issues
3. Possess Technical and Analytical Skills

Course Requirements

COURSE ASSIGMENTS

Chapter Reading:  In the Module tab of this course in Canvas, you will find seven (7) modules. Each module contains a list of the chapters and concepts that will be tested in seven (7) unit exams. Be sure to
read all of the listed chapters. At the end of each chapter is a short exam review with practice questions. These include a combination of Matching, True/False, Multiple-Choice, Cases, and Discussion questions
which can be used to reinforce what you’ve learned in the chapter reading. Completing the questions is
not required nor part of the grade you earn but doing so will reinforce the reading material and be very helpful in your preparation for each of the unit tests. I encourage you to complete these questions after
completing your reading. If you purchase the online version of the textbook, you will have access to many more practice questions.  These online practice questions are very similar to the questions on the actual exams.  For this reason, purchasing the online textbook with its online learning tools is highly recommended!

Test Your Knowledge Practice Quizzes:  There are two (2) graded Ethics Exercises in this course. The objective of these exercises is to help you identify, develop, and apply Life Principles, i.e., core values in resolving ethical dilemmas. The first exercise will require you to identify some of your personal Life Principles. The second exercise will require you to use a decision model to resolve ethical dilemmas in different business scenarios which will be presented. The first exercise is worth fifty (50) points and the second is worth one hundred (100) points. Both exercises are submitted online through Canvas by the stated due dates.
 
Ethics Exercises:  There are two (2) graded Ethics Exercises in this course.  The objective of these exercises is to help you identify, develop, and apply Life Principles, i.e., core values in resolving ethical dilemmas.  The first exercise will require you to identify some of your personal Life Principles.  The second exercise will require you to use a decision model to resolve ethical dilemmas in different business scenarios which will be presented.  The first exercise is worth fifty (50) points and the second is worth one hundred (100) points.  Both exercises are submitted online through Canvas by the stated due dates.

You Be the Judge Exercises:  You will complete two (2) "You Be the Judge" Exercises. These exercises promote deeper critical thinking and legal reasoning by building on acquired knowledge. In each exercise, you are provided with case facts, legal issues, and the arguments from each party in the case. You must analyze the issues based on the case facts and applicable law. You are required to arrive at legal conclusions about case issues and provide reasoning for your conclusions. Each exercise is worth fifty (50) points. Submit the completed Exercises online through Canvas by the indicated due dates.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and BingAI, are allowed on the two "You Be the Judge" writing assignments only. However, if the student decides to use AI, in either or both of these assignments, then the student must include the following additional points to receive credit:
     i.  A statement indicating that AI was used for the assignment, and disclosure of the specific chat tool(s) or app(s) used;
     ii.  A list of all prompts (i.e., questions asked of the AI tool) used in answering the written assignment;
     iii.  A redline version of the completed assignment, with the "track changes" tool in the word processor (i.e., Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.) having been activated, so that the grader can see what changes/fixes/edits were made to the AI product by you; and
     iv.  A short summary paragraph sharing what you learned from using AI to complete the assignment.
If you choose to use AI on these two assignments, you are responsible for the final products submitted, so make sure your submissions are accurate and your sources are reliable. You should be aware that answers generated by AI are not flawless.  On any other assignment, including the exams and ethical writing assignments, where AI is prohibited, any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the University as cheating.

Unit Tests:  As stated above, there are seven (7) Unit Tests in this course. Each Unit Test covers the
rules and concepts for all chapters indicated in a Module. Each Unit Test consists of a mix of multiple-
choice and true/false questions. Each Unit Test is open book and open note (NOT OPEN INTERNET). You are NOT allowed to use the assistance of any other persons or resources, live or electronic, including, but certainly not limited to search engines such as Google, chatbots such as ChatGPT, or test banks such as Chegg, Quizlet, Course Hero, or Socratic. The only notes that can be used, are those taken by you. To access a Unit Test, click on the link for the Unit Test in the Assignments Tab or Modules Tab. Complete the Unit Tests by the due dates indicated in Canvas. Each test consists of between twenty-five (25) and thirty-five (35) questions to be completed in forty-five (45) minutes. Each test is worth one hundred (100) points.

Course Outline

*ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES*

January 9 (Fri) Register for Textbook/MindTap – No Points, but recommended!
January 14 (Wed) Commenced Attendance Quiz – No Points, but required!
January 17 (Sat) Unit 1 Test (Chapters 1, 2 and 4) – We move especially quickly!
January 24 (Sat) Life Principles Ethics Exercise
January 31 (Sat) Unit 2 Test (Chapters 5 and 6)
February 7 (Sat) You Be the Judge Exercise #1
February 14 (Sat) Unit 3 Test (Chapters 7 and 8)
February 21 (Sat) Resolving Ethical Dilemmas Exercise
March 7 (Sat) Unit 4 Test (Chapters 10 and 11)
March 21 (Sat) Unit 5 Test (Chapters 12 and 13)
April 4 (Sat) You Be the Judge Exercise #2
April 11 (Sat) Unit 6 Test (Chapters 17, 18 and 19)
April 25 (Thurs) Unit 7 Test (Chapters 20 and 21)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late assignments and make-up work are not accepted. Exceptions may be granted only with prior written permission from the instructor. Requests must be made in advance of the due date, except in documented emergencies, and approval is at the instructor’s discretion.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is not required; however, participation does enhance student learning and students will be rewarded for attending class and actively engaging in meaningful ways. Meaningful participation includes asking questions, contributing to discussions, participating in activities, and demonstrating preparedness.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.