Curricula

Objectives

This course offers you the opportunity to learn the importance of risks through the lens of business risks and legal risks. A basic understanding of the law of torts and contracts will assist you to recognize legal risks and develop legal strategies to address these legal risks. A basic understanding of the categories of business risks facing organizations will assist you to asses these risks in each area and develop business strategies to address these legal risks.

Content

There will be overview of risk management for both risks that are classified as having legal consequences and those that are classified as having business consequences. Legal risks will examine the fundamentals of tort law, contract law and special types of contracts commonly encountered in business organizations anywhere. Business risks will examine the major areas of business including an examination of management, marketing, human resource, technology and financial risks.

Time and location

Spring 2025 - see Peppi for class times and locations

Learning materials and recommended literature

Upon completion of this course students will be able to
• identify legal and business risks applicable to organizations.
• apply basic legal concepts in the law of torts and contracts.
• analyze legal and business problems by applying it to relevant legal and business risks.
• debate legal and business issues commonly experienced by businesses.

Lecture slides will be the starting point to learn the subject matter of the course.

Optional Text: Canadian Business Law: A British Columbia Perspective, Thornicroft, Alexander & Papadeas, Emond Publishing. | ISBN: 978-1-77255-789-3

Teaching methods

Face to face in classroom only.

This course offers the students the opportunity to learn the importance of risks through the lens of business risks and legal risks. A basic understanding of the law of torts and contracts will assist students to recognize legal risks and develop legal strategies to address these legal risks. A basic understanding of the categories of business risks facing organizations will assist students to assess these risks in each area and develop business strategies to address these legal risks.

The course methodology uses teams of 3-4 to learn the course together. Teams will learn to write short business briefs and short legal briefs which they shall use to conduct live debates on business and legal issues in class and be judged by your colleagues.

The course is meant to develop critical thinking and communications skills in a fun atmosphere that encourages debate.

I look forward to presenting the course to you.

You can watch the introductory video Professor Blair Baldwin by following the link https://youtu.be/jIouUfLjpJE

Dr. Blair Baldwin, Visiting Professor, Okanagan School of Business, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

Practical training and working life connections

This course will enhance your critical thinking, your written and your oral communications and your ability to work effectively and efficiently in teams.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

Two tests - one in middle and one at end of term

Alternative completion methods

This course will start online due to Professor Blair Baldwin's travel schedule. The first two weeks of the course (March 11 and March 18) will be online through Zoom. The rest of the course shall be face to face until completion in May.

Student workload

You will be required to invest 100 hours in this course and the allocation of time is as follows:

Lectures: 25 hours
Reading and Understanding Course slide decks: 25 hours
Preparation of Risk Management briefs: 20 hours
Preparation for Risk management debates: 20 hours
Preparation for Exams: 10 hours

Further information for students

Test #1 - Individual (date as per course schedule on Moodle) 20%
Test #2 – Individual (date as per course schedule on Moodle) 20%
Term Work - Team – 2 business risk presentations (dates as per course schedule on Moodle) and 3 oral legal risk Debates (dates as per course schedule on Moodle) 50%
Class Contribution 10%
Total 100%

Exchange students: 10

Evaluation scale

0-5

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Poor 0
You are unable to demonstrate the basic theoretical and conceptual knowledge. Central concepts of business and risk management are not understood.
You are incapable of understanding the basic theory behind business and risk management and has no ability to present is unable to present in writing or orally.

Inadequate 1
You are able to demonstrate a superficial understanding of theoretical knowledge. The comprehension of central concepts of the course remain vague or are largely incomplete. The ability to apply the concepts of risk management are limited in scope and content.

You are unable to apply the central concepts of risk management to an applied business scenario; and you have very limited abilities to communicate in English both orally and in written format.

Satisfactory 2
You are able to demonstrate a basic theoretical and conceptual knowledge of risk management. The majority of the central concepts of risk management can be defined and the you have a rudimentary ability to apply these concepts to businesses.

You understand the basic theory and possesses a limited ability to apply the concepts in a practical manner. You are able to communicate in English both in oral and written format and is able to prepare and present reports with a significant amount of direction.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Good 3
You know the basic theoretical and conceptual knowledge of risk management. Central concepts have been defined with clarity and accuracy. You display a fairly good command of the subject area and is able to demonstrate basic applications to business.

You can explain the theory of risk management and with assistance, can apply the theory to business organizations. You are able to communicate in English both in oral and written format and is able to prepare and present reports with limited amount of direction.

Very Good 4
You demonstrate a thorough and consistent theoretical and conceptual knowledge of risk management. Central concepts are defined with clarity, accuracy and logic. You are able to demonstrate complete applications to business.

You can explain theories of risk management and with some assistance, can apply the theory to business organizations. You possess good skills in communicating effectively in English both in oral and written format and is able to prepare and present reports at a high level of proficiency.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
The student demonstrates an exceptional theoretical and conceptual knowledge of risk management. Central concepts are defined with clarity, accuracy, logical and persuasiveness and as well contain innovative content. You display a command of the subject area that befits a professional practicing in business.

You possess advanced knowledge in risk management and can communicate in a superior manner in English both in oral and written format and is able to prepare reports and present reports at a level of proficiency matching a business professional.

Further information

This course is only offered face to face and requires consistent regular attendance due to the nature of the in-class active learning. The use of business and legal briefs is conducive to improved critical thinking and written communications. The use of live debates enhances oral communications, creativity in speaking and exchange of different opinions in a lively pleasureful manner. The use of teams allows for improved collaboration amonsgt young business professionals.