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Module Catalogue

FP040-15 Business Law

Department
Warwick Foundation Studies
Level
Foundation
Module leader
Anna Tranter
Credit value
15
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

FP040-15 Business Lw

Module web page

Module aims

  1. To introduce students to the fundamental aspects of the academic discipline of Law within a Business context, specifically legislation relating to company law and contract law.

  2. To understand the importance and role of case law.

  3. To explore and appraise the nature of legislation relating to the legal forms for businesses including sole traders, partnerships, private limited companies and public limited companies.

  4. To be able to demonstrate the ability to assess and evaluate information from a range of legal sources using appropriate techniques.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

  1. Introduction to Business Law
    a) An overview of law
    b) An introduction to Judicial Precedent

  2. Company Law
    a) Company formation the main principles including company financing and classification of business organisations; applying to sole traders, partnerships, private limited company and public limited company.
    b) Intellectual Property Law: copyright; patents; trade marks
    c) Law of Negligence – general principles

  3. Contract Law
    a) Introduction to Contract Law – What is the law of Contract? Why do we need it? Freedom to contract and equality of bargaining power.
    b) Different types of contract: Unilateral and bilateral contracts
    c) Agreement – Offer (Offer and Invitation to Treat) and Acceptance
    d) Intention to Create Legal Relations
    e) Consideration

  4. Discrimination in employment
    a) Protected characteristics
    b) Types of discrimination

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Outline the differences between the different types of law, legal hierarchy and the importance of case law.
  • Explain key legal concepts and areas of company law and contract law
  • Apply legal knowledge to a case studies.
  • Construct and present arguments through appropriate and effective legal reasoning, thereby enabling them to evaluate real-world problems.
Indicative reading list
  • Adams A – Law for Business Students (Pearson 2018) ISBN 9781292208428
  • Daniels K – Introduction to Employment Law (CIPD 2019) ISBN 0749484144
  • Elliot C and Quinn F – English Legal System (Pearson 2018) ISBN 1292208511
  • Richards P – Law of Contract (Pearson 2017) ISBN 1292176105
Subject specific skills

Define and explain theoretical business legislation and be able to apply these concepts to authentic case studies.

Transferable skills

Analytical skills, evaluation skills, report writing skills

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 1 hour (25%)
Seminars 10 sessions of 3 hours (75%)
Total 40 hours
Private study description

Private Study including preparation for lectures and seminars. Completion of tasks set in class and for formative and summative assessments.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time
Briefing paper 40% 20 hours

Briefing paper - Company Law
Business Law In-class test 60% 25 hours

Case study and questions
Feedback on assessment

Written feedback provided on Tabula

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of FIOE Warwick International Foundation Programme