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Course Outline

ACC520 Legal Regulation of Business Structures

Course Coordinator:Gregory Watt (gwatt@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2021Semester 2

UniSC Southbank

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Legal Regulation of Business Structures provides an introduction to the Australian law of business associations. You will critically examine the nature, scope and operation of different business structures as the context and framework that shapes business decision making and policy formulation. This course is designed to provide you with a critical understanding of common business structures and their operation, with a particular focus on the corporate form. Legal Regulation of Business Structures is a key course for students who wish to pursue a professional accounting career.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Lecture 1hr Not applicable Not Yet Determined
Tutorial/Workshop 1 2hrs Not applicable Not Yet Determined

Course Topics

  • Introduction and overview
  • Partnerships and Trusts
  • Legal Nature of Companies
  • Company Finance, Reporting and Audits
  • Internal Management and Distribution of Power
  • Dealing with Outsides and Corporate Liability
  • Director’s Duties
  • Shareholder’s Rights
  • External Administration

What level is this course?

500 Level (Advanced)

Engaging with new discipline knowledge and skills at an advanced level or deepening existing knowledge and skills within a discipline. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of fundamental principles and procedures of Australian law of business structures. Knowledgeable
2 Apply critical analysis and professional judgement to identify and generate appropriate and practical responses to complex problems related to the regulation of business structures. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
3 Exercise a high level of written communication and drafting skills that are effective, appropriate and persuasive in a commercial context. Empowered
4 Recognise and respond to ethical and legal principles relevant to issues of corporate governance. Knowledgeable
Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

BUS503 and enrolled in any Postgraduate Program

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Formative feedback is provided in the form of the Week 4 Online Quiz. In addition, tutorial exercises and discussion of correct answers and approaches will be completed during tutorials.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 10% 
60 minutes
 Week 4 Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Written Piece Individual 40% 
2500 words max
 Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 50% 
3 hours
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Online quiz
Goal: 
The goal of the Online Quiz is to assess your understanding of key principles of the regulation of business structures, including: the regulatory frameworks, trusts, partnership law, incorporation and its effects.
Product: Quiz/zes
Format: 
The quiz will consist of 20 multiple choice questions. Each question is worth 0.5 marks. The questions will be based on material covered in the first three topics of the course. The quiz will be made available on Blackboard on Monday of Week 4 and needs to be completed by Friday of Week 4 (by 5pm). Students get one attempt at the quiz, 60-minute time limit.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of material covered in Topics 1-3 assessed
by correct answers to quiz questions.
 1 2
All - Assessment Task 2:Written hypothetical assignment
Goal: 
The goal of the Hypothetical assignment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the regulation of business structures and use critical thinking to correctly identify the legal issues and apply the relevant legal principles to given hypothetical case scenarios.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
This is a 2500 word individual written assignment - this is not a group assignment. It will involve preparing detailed responses to a number of hypothetical fact scenarios. Details of the assignment will be provided by the end of week 2.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
demonstration of knowledge of the law, as evidenced by accurate statement of
relevant legal principles
 1 2
2 
demonstration of understanding of the law and critical thinking, as evidenced by
cogent and coherent analysis of the law
 1 2 3
3 
demonstration of requisite academic communication skills, as evidenced by logical structure of arguments;
 2 3 4
4 
appropriateness of conclusions, accuracy of citations (legal referencing) and academic referencing and use of accurate and appropriate expression.
 3 4
All - Assessment Task 3:Final online examination
Goal: 
To demonstrate your capacity to problem solve by applying relevant legal principles to given fact situations.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format: 
This is an individual assessment.You have 3 hours.The format is online exam. Further details on the final examination will be provided in the revision lecture in week 13.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
demonstration of knowledge of the law, as evidenced by accurate
recognition/statement of relevant legal principles
2 
demonstration of understanding of the law, as evidenced by cogent and coherent application of legal principles to the fact situations as stated and/or discussion of
relevant law in applied contexts
3 
demonstration of requisite academic communication skills, as evidenced by logical
structure of arguments, appropriateness of conclusions,
4 
(cont)  inclusion of case
authorities and legislative and/or academic references, and use of accurate and
appropriate expression

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Harris, J., Hargovan, A., and Adams, M. 2018 Australian Corporate Law 6th edition LexisNexis

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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