Business Law I Essentials

Business Law I Essentials is a brief introductory textbook designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of courses on Business Law or the Legal Environment of Business. The concepts are presented in a streamlined manner, and cover the key concepts necessary to establish a strong foundation in the subject. The textbook follows a traditional approach to the study of business law. Each chapter contains learning objectives, explanatory narrative and concepts, references for further reading, and end-of-chapter questions.

Business Law I Essentials may need to be supplemented with additional content, cases, or related materials, and is offered as a foundational resource that focuses on the baseline concepts, issues, and approaches.

Contributing Authors

Mirande Valbrune, Esq. Employment Lawyer
Renee De Assis, Texas Woman's University
Suzanne Cardell, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Tess C. Taylor, Walden University
Dr. Natalie Sappleton, Smartly Institute
C. M. Mitchell, Ashford University
Kenneth Mitchell-Phillips, Portland Community College

Chapter 1 American Law, Legal Reasoning, and the Legal System
• Introduction
• 1.1 Basic American Legal Principles
• 1.2 Sources and Types of Law
• 1.3 Important Business Laws and Regulations
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 2 Disputes and Dispute Settlement
• Introduction
• 2.1 Negotiation
• 2.2 Mediation
• 2.3 Arbitration
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 3 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Introduction
• 3.1 Business Ethics
• 3.2 Social Responsibility
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 4 Business and the United States Constitution
• Introduction
• 4.1 Commerce Clause
• 4.2 Constitutional Protections
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 5 Criminal Liability
• Introduction
• 5.1 Common Business Crimes
• 5.2 Civil vs. Criminal Liability
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 6 The Tort System
• Introduction
• 6.1 Intentional Torts and Negligence
• 6.2 Product and Strict Liability
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 7 Contract Law
• Introduction
• 7.1 Agreement, Consideration, and Promissory Estoppel
• 7.2 Capacity and Legality
• 7.3 Breach of Contract and Remedies
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 8 Sales Contracts
• Introduction
• 8.1 The Nature and Origins of Sales Contracts
• 8.2 Warranties and Sales Contracts
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 9 Employment and Labor Law
• Introduction
• 9.1 Employment, Worker Protection, and Immigration Law
• 9.2 Labor Law
• 9.3 Equal Opportunity in Employment
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 10 Government Regulation
• Introduction
• 10.1 Administrative Law
• 10.2 Regulatory Agencies
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 11 Antitrust Law
• Introduction
• 11.1 History of Antitrust Law
• 11.2 Antitrust Laws
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 12 Unfair Trade Practices and the Federal Trade Commission
• Introduction
• 12.1 Unfair Trade Practices
• 12.2 The Federal Trade Commission
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 13 International Law
• Introduction
• 13.1 Introduction to International Law
• 13.2 Sources and Practice of International Law
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes

Chapter 14 Securities Regulation
• Introduction
• 14.1 Liability Under the Securities Act
• 14.2 The Framework of Securities Regulation
• Assessment Questions
• Endnotes