Business Ethics and Legal Studies

LGST 3030 The Supreme Court & Your Life (2 Credits)

This course evaluates the most critical ways in which the United States Supreme Court interacts with and affects an individual’s life, career, education, freedom, and future. Over ten weeks, we analyze how: (1) each major section of the Constitution and how it makes its way to the Court, (2) is ultimately interpreted by each of the nine current Justices, and (3) the subsequent repercussions of the opinion. The primary vehicles used for this task are actual Supreme Court cases, federal circuit court opinions, and legal briefs filed by the parties and interest groups on both sides of each dispute. Each of these documents is part of the public record and easy to locate. Because many students are likely to hear, believe, and/or resonate with only one side of each politically-charged divisive case heard by the Court (perhaps because they listen to only one news source or affiliate primarily with people of the same ideological bent), this class will emphasize the importance of seeing both sides of important public policy, legal, and ethical issues before taking a position. This is a valuable skill that is often neglected in college courses but will take a student far in life.

LGST 3400 White Collar & Corporate Crime (4 Credits)

This course offers an essential overview of corporate and “white collar” crime. Through the use of real-world case studies, legal and ethical analysis, criminological research and cultural reference materials such as iconic films and books, this course offers insight into the types, causes, and effects of crimes committed by businesses, corporate officers and directors, professionals and public officials. It will foster critical analysis of contemporary efforts to address recurring problems of corruption, bribery, fraud, insider trading, money laundering, collusion and more through the enactment of criminal statutes, international treaties, regulatory disclosure requirements, investigative methods, and litigation. Prerequisite: Undergraduates registering for this cross-listed course must complete LGST 2000. Graduate students are strongly advised to have successfully completed a course in business law.

LGST 3440 The Supreme Court & Your Life: Constitutional Law, Ethics & Policy for the 21st Century (2 Credits)

This course evaluates the most critical ways in which the United States Supreme Court interacts with and affects an individual’s life, career, education, freedom, and future. Over ten weeks, we analyze how: (1) each major section of the Constitution and how it makes its way to the Court, (2) is ultimately interpreted by each of the nine current Justices, and (3) the subsequent repercussions of the opinion. The primary vehicles used for this task are actual Supreme Court cases, federal circuit court opinions, and legal briefs filed by the parties and interest groups on both sides of each dispute. Each of these documents is part of the public record and easy to locate. Because many students are likely to hear, believe, and/or resonate with only one side of each politically-charged divisive case heard by the Court (perhaps because they listen to only one news source or affiliate primarily with people of the same ideological bent), this class will emphasize the importance of seeing both sides of important public policy, legal, and ethical issues before taking a position. This is a valuable skill that is often neglected in college courses but will take a student far in life.

LGST 3450 Impact of Driverless Mobility: Business, Legal & Ethical Implications (4 Credits)

Smartphones and personal computers have changed the world and how we live in it. Now, Driverless Vehicles are poised to profoundly reshape our transportation systems, real estate development, access to goods and services, and our collective ecological footprint. In our “Impact of Driverless Mobility” course, we will consider many of the broad implications of this disruptive technology, including, but not limited to, the many legal, ethical and business considerations. Prerequisite: LGST 2000.

LGST 4198 E-Commerce Law and Ethics (4 Credits)

The changes in technology and business over the past 20 years have been dramatic and far-reaching. Navigating the even more astonishing changes in the future requires some perspective on the developments of the recent past. How did we get to where we are? What technological, economic and political forces have generated the current state of e-commerce? How are these forces likely to change into the future? What are the basic features of e-commerce as its exists today?.

LGST 4550 Business Law for Accountants (4 Credits)

This course provides students with a detailed review of the legal considerations in forming, operating, and dissolving the most common forms of business entities: partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations. The rights, duties and liabilities of the managers, owners and accountants (internal and external) of these entities are extensively examined. The course also provides an overview of federal securities laws impacting these organizations. Prerequisite: ACTG 4620 or BUS 4620 or LGST 2000 (concurrent registration OK).

LGST 4700 International Law (4 Credits)

Offers both an introduction to public international law (the rights and duties of states and intergovernmental organizations [IGOs]) and to private international law (the rights and duties of individuals, businesses, and non- governmental organizations [NGOs] in their international affairs). Majority of course devoted to key international issues of business law and public policy such as alternative dispute resolution (ADR), privatization, intellectual property, international sales, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, trade (GATT and WTO), and the international facilities that deal with the adjudication and resolution of legal issues related to business.

LGST 4701 Topics in Ethics & Legal Study (1-5 Credits)

This course examines complexities, paradoxes, and dangers of leadership. The platform for the course is a Core Leadership Model (and logical deviations from it) which can result in Great Leadership. At the heart of Great Leadership one finds a values base. Through in-depth analysis of the key dimensions of the Core Model and its accompanying deviations, participants gain a deep understanding of - and practical experience with - Values Based Leadership in today's world.

LGST 4730 Values Based Leadership in Practice (4 Credits)

The course examines the complexities, paradoxes, and dangers of leadership. The platform for the course is a Core Leadership Model (and logical deviations from it) which can result in Great Leadership. Through in-depth analysis of the key dimensions of the Core Model and its accompanying deviations, participants will gain a deep understanding of - and practical experience with - Values-Based Leadership in today's world.

LGST 4740 Science & Mgmt. of Org. Ethics (4 Credits)

This course examines our knowledge regarding ethical decision making and behavior in organizational contexts. The course also explores the implications of such knowledge for effectively creating and managing ethical organizations. The course will be conducted as a graduate seminar with students playing a central role in identifying topics, researching content areas, and deciding on course outcomes. We will examine conceptual and theoretical models of ethical behavior in organizations, research empirical studies, and develop managerial implications. The overarching goal is to increase knowledge and understanding so as to strengthen capacities to be ethical leaders and managers. Prerequisite: BUS 4100. Non-business students may take the course with permission.

LGST 4760 CEOs and Corporate Governance (4 Credits)

In the wake of the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank laws, corporate governance has become a compelling issue for business students and executives. Corporate board members and leaders of institutional investors share their insights concerning corporate governance from strategic, financial and legal perspectives. CEO/board dynamics are explored, along with leadership development and executive succession policies. The roles of major board committees, such as the audit, compensation, nominating, and legal compliance committees are given special emphasis. Board responsibilities in corporate crises and re-structuring are examined, along with the legal liabilities of executives, board members, and the corporation. Public policy pressures on corporate governance, including the roles played by the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies are discussed, along with the responses by business organizations, political interest groups, and self-regulatory bodies. Shareholder activism and litigation, along with pressures from other corporate stakeholders are also emphasized in the course. Examples of topics include corporate scandals, executive compensation, global corporate governance systems, and governance reforms. Students engage in a number of case analyses over the course of the quarter, produce a four-part case study, and discuss actual real world solutions with business leaders who have been involved in the issues. Cross-listed with ACTG 4760.

LGST 4780 Leadership, Teams & Values (4 Credits)

This course is designed for Daniel Scholars (who have completed the first quarter of their MBA program including Value Based Leadership) to provide both challenging intellectual discussion and physical engagement around the fundamental ethical dilemma of competition and/or cooperation. The venue for the course is Harbor Island, San Diego, California, and the adjacent waters of San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Both traditional classrooms and the untraditional learning environment of the off-shore sail boat provide the context of dynamic learning about values, teams and self. Prerequisite: BUS 4100.

LGST 4790 Entrepreneur & Family Business-Organization, Governance Ethics & Leadership (4 Credits)

This course covers the most current legal and ethical issues involving the creation of value, strengthening and growing family businesses through the process of best practices in business governance, coupled with ethical conduct and values based leadership, and legal compliance. Cross listed with LGST 3790. Prerequisite: BUS 4100.

LGST 4980 Internship (1-5 Credits)

LGST 4991 Independent Study (1-10 Credits)

LGST 4995 Independent Research (1-10 Credits)