Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Under Australian law, both individuals and businesses may organise their affairs through various types of legal structures. Each structure has characteristics that differ and each structure affects the nature of their responsibilities, obligations, internal and external relationships. Accountants are often called upon to audit, advise and assist clients with their business endeavours and are required to understand the attributes of such legal structures and the laws and regulations that affect them.

Aims

The aim of the unit is to equip students with a broadly based knowledge and understanding of the law surrounding the various legal entities, including sole traders, partnerships, trusts, incorporated and unincorporated associations, joint ventures, and companies. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the law pertaining to business entities in order that they might better advise and support their clients.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the various types of business entities, explain how they operate and the laws that govern their operation;
2. Identify and analyse issues relating to the law of business entities and apply critical thinking to resolve those issues; and
3. Apply the legislative provisions required for various business entities.

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline. The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

This unit looks at the various types of business entities that exist in Australia today and laws applicable to these entities. The unit will also take into account consideration of a range of issues affecting these legal entities, such as capital raising and finance, taxation, accounting, audit and statutory requirements under the relevant Acts and legislation.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning strategies are designed to facilitate the aims and objectives of the unit. The emphasis in Law of Business Entities is to give students a fair understanding of the nature of the various types of business entities and the laws applicable to each of these entities. There are three main elements to the learning and teaching strategies to this unit - lectures, tutorials, and assessment.

Assessment

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to both:

- receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and
- demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation


• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary


• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation


• Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Progressive Assignment
Description: Written report/assignment on individual topic set by lecturer. The report will be submitted and marked in two parts. Part 1 of the report is due week 5, part 2 due in week 12. Each part is worth 20%.
Length/Duration: 2,000 words in total
Both
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: 1, 2, & 3 and AOL goals: 1, 2, 3, 5; KS 1.1; CTA 2.1; PC 3.1; SEU 5.1
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Weeks 5 and 12


Assessment name: End of Semester Exam
Description: Final exam is based on the entire semester.
Length/Duration: 2 hours + 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: 1, 2, & 3 and AOL goals: 1, 2, 3, 5; KS 1.1; CTA 2.1; PC 3.1
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period


Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text: Gooley, Russell, Dicker and Zammit, Corporations and Associations Law: Principles and Issues 5th ed, 2011, Lexis Nexis

Required References:
Business Names Act 1962
Partnership Act 1891
Associations Incorporations Act 1981
Corporations Act 2001
Australian Competition and Consumer Law 2010
All statutes are downloadable from the internet.

Other Resources: Library databases as advised in lectures and on Blackboard. Various Business Law texts and reference books as available from the library.

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Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the >Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 25-Jun-2012