General Resources
Many modules will include links to chapters from traditional textbooks; if you prefer that mode of learning or want a more detailed explanation of topics than is available from module readings and videos, you can link to any of the books below for the pertinent chapter. For example, I have included several of the introductory chapters from Brickley and Gottesman’s Business Law Basics, as well as chapters from Mayer, Warner and Siedel’s Government Regulation and the Legal Environment of Business throughout the e-book . In addition, you’ll find numerous videos produced by business law faculty at other institutions, such as Prof. Ida Jones (California State University at Fresno), adjunct Prof. Jay Milbrandt (Bethel College) and Prof. Jason Gordon (Georgia Gwinnett College), so if you like some of these videos, look for more by this faculty member throughout the e-book.
Legal Resources and/or Open Source Textbooks:
Jason Gordon, a business law professor at Georgia Gwinnett College, has produced an online textbook, currently called Law, Risk and Transactions that is posted on his The Business Professor website. Included in his 25 chapters are many that correspond to the modules in this e-book. Each chapter begins with an outline of content in question form, e.g., What are the types and authority of state courts? What is subject matter jurisdiction? Clicking on a question will take you to a brief explanation of the key concepts needed to answer the question, accompanied by a short video in which Professor Gordon explains that concept. Professor Gordon speaks slowly and explains concepts clearly, so this is a very good reference if you find a legal environment concept difficult to understand.
Brickley and Gottesman, Business Law Basics This free online textbook has 26 chapters, many corresponding to the modules in this e-book, including chapters on functions and sources of law; federal and state courts, litigation and alternative dispute resolution; business entities; torts and contracts; intellectual property; and employment law. It stays current with blog posts and selected legal news.
Mayer, Warner, Siedel and Lieberman, Government Regulation and the Legal Environment of Business (2012) is a 20-chapter LEB textbook available online or as a PDF from the Open Textbook Library. At the end of each content section, you’ll find a summary, exercises, and self-test questions (with answers provided).
Mayer, Warner and Siedel have also published a more comprehensive edition called Business Law and the Legal Environment (2012) with more than 50 chapters. It is also available from Open Textbook Library online or as a PDF.
Lau and Johnson, The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business 1.0 (2011) through Open Textbook Library. This traditional textbook is available in an online or PDF format.
Business Law and Ethics produced for Saylor Academy (which creates and curates Open Educational Resources). In addition to a free online textbook, this source provides you with a syllabus that would allow you to work through the book to earn a “certificate” upon completion if you create a free account. For each chapter, you’ll find an overview, objectives, content and an exercise to assess your understanding of that chapter.
An Introduction to U.S. Corporate Law, a wikibook that also compares corporations to sole proprietorships, partnerships and LLCs.
Webpage: ABA Legal Fact Check
Legal Encyclopedias and Dictionaries:
If you’re struggling to understand a legal term or concept, one of these resources may help.
The Law Dictionary is a free online dictionary featuring Black’s Law Dictionary. It contains definitions for more than 15,000 legal terms, along with an explanation of how the term is used by the legal profession. Another very useful feature is a tab called “Legal Information.” From a pulldown menu, you’ll find articles on a wide range of legal topics from Misclassification of Independent Contractors to Is Cyberbullying Illegal. Many are very practical, e.g., How to Form an LLC in Georgia, what to do if you lose your social security card, and a guide to settlement and damages in personal injury cases. From another pulldown tab called “Resources,” you’ll find the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.
Wex, a free legal encyclopedia and dictionary hosted by The Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School.
The Free Dictionary by Farlex
Other Legal Materials:
Although most legal materials are provided through links in content modules, some websites provide broader information on the legal system and legal issues facing business. Here are some starting points.
The Oyez Project on the U.S. Supreme Court maintained by Chicago-Kent College of Law. This site allows you to search for Supreme Court cases by issue, term, name, and even popularity. For each decided case, you’ll find a brief statement of the facts, the issue before the court and the court’s ruling, indicating how each justice voted. For many cases, the site also provides an analysis of the oral arguments made to the court.
Civics Learning Materials (K-12), a website founded by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Its goal is to provide students with a basic understanding of the structure and function of the US government, as well as units of topics as diverse as news literacy and media and influence, through content modules and interactive games. International students and those who don’t have a strong understanding of the three branches of government and their roles, might find this website very helpful.
The Aspen Institute founded its Business and Society Program in 1998. Working with business executives and scholars, its mission is “to build the courage and conviction of business leaders to think long-term and act in the best interests of society” and “to align business decisions and investments with the long-term health of society—and the planet.” You might find a number of its resources helpful: Aspen Institute’s Ideas Worth Teaching and Aspen Institute’s Five Ideas for the Day