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Business Law Minor
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IntroductionThe UWA Business School offers a "minor" in Business Law that may be taken in conjunction with any of the "majors" offered by the School. Areas of study include: an introduction to the legal system and basic legal concepts; the legal framework of business; company law; finance law; marketing law; workplace law; international commercial law; business law in Asia; and electronic commerce law. Who Should Consider a Business Law Minor?The Business Law programme has been designed for students who are planning a career in accountancy, business management, marketing, international trade, banking and finance, public service, industrial relations, and related professions and business endeavours. The skills to be acquired from these units are relevant for both the Australian legal system and the legal environment in other "common law" countries. There has been a clear and consistent trend escalating the accountability and the potential personal liability of professionals, business managers and public servants. There has also been increasing statutory intervention into the everyday running of business enterprises. Managers and professionals constantly find themselves confronted by the need to make decisions with significant, and often frightening, legal ramifications. The line between "business" decisions and "legal" issues has become blurred. A university graduate planning to enter into the business world must have a grounding in basic legal concepts and some familiarity with certain areas of the law. A Business Law minor should prove an attractive accreditation for prospective employers. The Skills to be Acquired from the Business Law UnitsThe main goal of the Business Law programme is to develop skills in the recognition and analysis of legal issues and to foster analytical, problem solving and communication skills. Students should also attain an understanding of key legal concepts and the fundamentals of business law, and the knowledge to recognise and avoid many legal pitfalls. The programme will also equip students to make informed choices among different options presented by their legal advisers. Requirements for the Business Law MinorThe minor stream has two compulsory units: Introduction to Law (first year) and Legal Framework of Business (second or third year). As the second component of the programme, students must take three of the following units: Company Law; Finance Law; Marketing Law; Workplace Law; International Commercial Law; Business Law in Asia or, Electronic Commerce Law. Many students will find that several Business Law units are already in their schedules as prerequisites for certification by the professional accounting organisations or for registration as a tax agent. For these students election of just a few additional units will complete the Business Law minor. Descriptions of UnitsLAWS1104 Introduction to Law - The Australian Legal System and basic principles of the common law. The law of torts and professional liability. The law of contracts. Statutory interpretation and the effect of statutes upon the common law. (Second Semester) LAWS2201 Legal Framework of Business - Alternative structures for a business enterprise and, in some depth: the law of trusts, fiduciary relationships, agency and partnerships. Also provides an introduction to business finance and security devices and an extensive look at the law of bankruptcy. (First Semester) LAWS3301 Company Law - The concept and consequences of incorporation. Rights and duties of directors and shareholders. Raising capital. Auditor's liability. Winding up and dissolution of companies. (Second Semester) LAWS3306 Finance Law - The legal aspects of common financial transactions. Borrowing and securities. Negotiable instruments. Securities and futures industries. This unit also counts towards a Finance major. (First Semester) LAWS3308 Marketing Law - This unit traces the development of a marketing enterprise from product development and protection, through pricing decisions to promotion, distribution, sales and after-sale care, and considers the legal aspects of each stage. This unit or International Commercial Law counts towards a Marketing major. (Second Semester) LAWS3309 Workplace Law - Deals with contracts of employment; rights and duties of employer and employee; wrongful and unfair dismissals; strikes and trade unions; occupational health and safety; workers compensation; and other selected topics. This unit counts towards a Human Resource Management major or an Industrial Relations major. (First Semester) LAWS3328 International Commercial Law - This unit deals with the international sale of goods, contract of carriage of goods (by sea, air and land) and the contract of international credit. This unit or Marketing Law counts towards the Marketing Major. (First Semester) LAWS3329 Business Law in Asia - This unit deals with the legal concepts and principles applicable to doing business in selected Asian countries. Topics include substantive law of contract, torts, regulation of business organisations and protection of property in the selected Asian countries. This unit counts towards an Asian Business Major. (Second Semester. This unit is not offered in 2008) LAWS3337 Electronic Commerce Law - This unit explores selected legal issues relating to electronic commerce. Areas of study include: contractual issues and the Internet; payment systems and the Internet; Internet taxation issues; intellectual property rights and infringement over the Internet; domain names: privacy and security on the Internet; and liability for communications on the Internet. This unit counts towards an Electronic Business major. (Second Semester. This unit is not offered in 2008) The above units count as options towards majors as noted. Further EnquiriesThe information in this brochure is intended only as a general guide. Full details of the Business Law minor and the available units can be found in the UWA Undergraduate Handbook. The Business Law units are administered and taught by staff from the Law School. Any of the business law academic staff would be pleased to chat with you about the Business Law units and how this programme can enhance your academic and business careers.
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