Business Ethics &Legal Studies (LGST)

LGST 3020 Sports Law & Ethics (4 Credits)

Sports Law and Ethics offers a comprehensive examination of the legal considerations pertaining to amateur (NCAA and Olympic Movement) and professional sports (NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS, EPL) in North America and Europe. The course delves into the laws and regulations that impact athletes and the leagues they play. The curriculum includes in-depth topic overviews, interactive class discussions, and guest lectures on contemporary issues and sports law jurisprudence.

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 3330 Advanced Constitutional Law (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 applies to each case and how the case makes its way to the Court, (2) each case is ultimately interpreted by each of the nine current Justices, and (3) the subsequent repercussions of the opinion resonate in the business world. 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 3540 Impact of Driverless Mobility (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 4400 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 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 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 4960 Employment Law & Ethics (4 Credits)

This course will introduce students to the key laws, rules and regulations governing employment in the United States. The course will explore workplace issues that arise because of the intersection of the hierarchical nature of organizations and the diversity of employees. As such, we will discuss workplace policies, practices and operations and their interactions with employment laws. This is an interactive course that will address issues such as: What is work? How do we value it? Who is an employee? What are the rights of employers? What are the rights of individuals in the workplace? What are some of the ethical issues faced by employers and employees, and how can both groups successfully navigate them? Graduate students will be assigned an independent study project focused on issues(s) faced by the Chief Human Resources Officer of an organization - a leader and strategic business partner in the organization.

LGST 4980 Internship (1-5 Credits)

LGST 4991 Independent Study (1-10 Credits)

LGST 4995 Independent Research (1-10 Credits)

Faculty

Corey Ciocchetti, Professor, JD, Duke University

Paula Anne Holt, Teaching Professor, JD, University of Denver

Bruce William Klaw, Associate Professor and Department Chair, JD, Harvard University

Libbi Levine Segev, Teaching Associate Professor, JD, University of Denver

Donald O. Mayer, Professor of the Practice, JD, Duke University

Tricia D. Olsen, Professor and Associate Dean, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kevin O. O'Brien, Associate Professor, JD, University of Denver

John Holcomb, Professor, Emeritus, JD, Georgetown University

R. Hutton, Professor, Emeritus, PhD, University of Florida

Buie Seawell, Professor, Emeritus, JD, University of Denver