Business Law - Honors Project

In addition to the standard curriculum for this class, students enrolled into the Honors section are expected to produce an additional research paper and presentation, which will demonstrate a deeper understanding of topics covered in this course as well as analytical skills necessary to evaluate specific business situations.

During the course of the year we've gone through a number of different subjects; contracts, torts, criminal law, Internet law, product liability, agency and employment law, etc.

Each honors student can pick a subject that was discussed in class such as "Contracts with Minors" or "Illegal use of Copyrighted Materials", "Ethical Scandals", etc. and pick a recent case involving a topic you find interesting. Your professor must approve the case prior to beginning your research. If you cannot find a case, your professor might assign you one.

Please follow instructions on the next pages.

Research Paper:

• Research and develop a draft thesis statement about a topic of interest to you. Ask your professor to review your statement, discuss your paper. Once your professor approves your topic, begin your research.

• Create an outline for your paper and share it with your instructor for approval.

• Your paper must be a minimum of 10 pages, double-spaced, Times-New-Roman font size 12, 1-inch margins all around, not including title page and bibliography.

Your paper must include:

• A thesis statement, a main body including accurate and reliable research

• Analysis of your thesis and research

• A conclusion with a summary of your research and final statement

• A paper that is free of grammatical and spelling errors

• Citations in MLA format

• Bibliography in MLA format

• A minimum of eight reliable references

• No plagiarism (Any plagiarism will result in a failing grade and will be reported to the Academic Disciplinary Committee of the college.)

Information to include about your case:

• Brief history of the case.

• Who are the plaintiffs, defendants?

• Is it a criminal or civil lawsuit? Or both?

• Which court/jurisdiction was the case filed in?

• What laws, regulations, rules were in question for this case?

• What remedies and/or criminal penalties are sought?

• What were the judgments?

• Were there any appeals and if so, what was the outcome of those?

• What ethical issues were evident in this case?

• Any other important elements in the case not included on this list.

• Your personal opinion/recommendation for this case.

Presentation:

You are required to present your research to the class including a PowerPoint or similar presentation slides.

If you are taking this class online, you need to submit presentation slides and you may include a video of yourself presenting by either using screen capture recordings, or by recording yourself presenting the research. Videos will receive 10 extra credit points toward your honors project.

Presentations guidelines:

• Approximately 5-7 minutes in length

• Include professional slides and other prompts if appropriate

• Do not read your presentation to the class

• List bibliography on your last slide