FAQ stands for "Frequently Asked Questions" and its purpose is to answer some of the more commonly asked questions about FRL201.

The following is a list of questions that are often asked about the class. Choose the question you would like answered or scroll down to read the entire page:

• What are the current and future goals of the FRL 201 Web Page?
• How important is the textbook in this class?
• What do the Teaching Assistants do?
• May I talk to other TAs?
• Why didn't I get full points even though there was nothing wrong with my paper?
• Do I have to do the Voluntary Practice Exams?
• Do I have to memorize the law definitions word for word?
• Someone told me that all I have to know is the material contained in the "red" book?   Is that correct?
• How do I earn extra credit from the web?
• I submitted a current event analysis but I didn't receive any points for it. Why?
• Why did I only receive a few points for my extra credit current event analysis?
• How much work should be contained in each take home exam, extra credit exam or current event case analysis?
• How often does the web page get updated?
• How often do the TAs check their mail?
• Who's Kai?

What are the current and future goals of the FRL 201 Web Page?

Since the very inception of formal business education, the study of law has been recognized as a fundamental pillar to functioning intelligently within  the business community.  Many wealthy businessmen have sent their sons and daughters to law school, recognizing the advantages of sharpening the critical reasoning processes of business people.  We live in a society that engages in increasingly complicated transactions that are  governed by "rules."   Much like a "game," only the foolhardy transact business without knowledge of the "basics."

Even the study of "basic law" challenges the student who may be unaccustomed to applying principles in an analytical environment (as opposed to mere memorization of sterile "rules" that calls for an understanding no greater than the recognition of the correct statement thereof).  We, therefore, desire this "tool" of  higher education to assist every student who takes advantage of its usefulness in their current desire to maximize the long term benefits that can result from an analytical approach to the study of business law.

Furthermore, it is our goal to create a web site that will be very useful to you long after you leave Cal Poly.  The astute businessperson recognizes that he or she will forever be a "student"...and certainly a "student of law."  Remember that the average adult is involved in six lawsuits and far more disputes and circumstances that could lead to litigation.  "Knowing the law" will always be your strongest advantage in negotiating, transacting, or resolving potential legal issues.

How important is the textbook in this class?

The text materials require a great deal of supplemental information and explanation during the initial materials that deal with the understanding of the "Adversary System" of justice, Constitutional issues and jurisprudential issues.  The text also requires a great deal of supplementation throughout the study of Tort Law.  The materials in the textbook on Product Liability and Contract Law are excellent, however.  By reading the text material and the judicial opinions, a much better grasp of the legal concepts will be obtained.

Perhaps even more importantly, the student who spends significant time analyzing the case problems at the end of the chapters will tend to be far better prepared to do well on  the take home assignments, as well as the major midterm exam and the comprehensive final exam.  The "red" course outline, the web page outlines and the lectures will give you the best indications of precisely what rules of law you will need to know on the case analysis exams.  The examples given during lectures (together with working with the TAs) will not only add to your understanding of the law but also (and more importantly) demonstrate how to develop and utilize critical reasoning and analytical skills to apply the law.  It is this latter educational process that takes place during and after class that makes "knowledge" of law relevant and useful throughout the remainder of one's life.

What do the Teaching Assistants do?

The primary goal of  the "Teaching Assistants" is  to help each student do their very best in this course.  Theses individuals have one thing in common. They truly want to help you succeed in this course!   Remember, however, these individuals do not claim to be "teachers," and certainly not lawyer -- so don't expect too much from them.  They are also human (and just recently took this course), so they could well have some misunderstandings about some legal principles, or even about the "grading expectations," since most of them have never been  a TA  in this  course before.

BE VERY CAREFUL TO READ THE SYLLABUS, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON THIS  WEB PAGE.  IF YOU SEE OR HEAR ANY APPARENT INCONSISTENCIES BETWEEN WHAT A TA HAS SAID VS. WHAT IS PRINTED IN THE SYLLABUS OR ON THIS WEB  PAGE SEE PROFESSOR BERGSTROM FOR CLARIFICATION.   YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE STANDARDS AS SET FORTH IN THE SYLLABUS AND ON THIS WEB PAGE UNLESS PROFESSOR BERGSTROM (AND ONLY PROFESSOR BERGSTROM) CHANGES THE  STANDARD.

Please treat the TAs with dignity and afford them the same respect you would give to Professor Bergstrom personally.  They really want to help you, and almost all students attribute their success, in  part, to their TA.

May I talk to other TAs?

Yes. Even though you were assigned to a TA, you are encouraged to seek guidance/help/ assistance from other TAs. This way, you get multiple points of view which will help you better understand the material. Remember, the TAs are there to assist you.

Why didn't I get more points on my take home exam even though there was nothing wrong with my paper?

Because this is a "take home" case analysis project, and because you are permitted to seek help from Teaching Assistants, Professor Bergstrom and other students.  Points are awarded based on the quality and quantity, of your work.  Practice exams, for instance, are mainly an analytical exercise. Papers that demonstrate good analysis will be awarded more points than those that are of lower quality even though both papers, technically, contain zero errors.  For example, a practice exam with 15 weak questions (Section III) may be awarded less points than a practice exam with 8 strong questions. Again, it's quality and quantity that counts!

Do I have to do the Voluntary Practice Exams?

No (that's why they are identified as "voluntary"), but you're encouraged to for several reasons:

1.  They help you do better on the Midterm and Final.
2.  You can earn up to an additional 20 extra credit points.
3.  There's a good chance that the Midterm or Final will be based on the Voluntary Practice Exam cases.
4. Most students who earn A's or B's on the Midterm and Final put a great deal of individual effort in both the mandatory take home exams and the voluntary take home extra credit exams.

Do I have to memorize the law definitions word for word?

There are many ways you may wish to study as different people have different methods of learning the material.  Some people have to memorize the law in order to understand it, while others accurately understand the law and are capable of expressing the identical concepts with different words.  It is important to remember, however, that laws are basically "rules" and a slight change in verbage can have a significant change in meaning.

You are not required to know the law definitions word for word, but you are required to be able to accurately communicate the meaning of the rules.  In other words, you may recite the legal definitions using your own words, but they must have the same meaning, carry the same weight, and have the same accuracy as the original legal definitions. The key is to be accurate but not necessarily with identical words.

Someone told me that all I have to know is the material contained in the "red" book?   Is that correct?

That depends on what grade you wish to earn in the course and the degree to which you develop analytical skills.  The "red" book and even the web page notes are not intended to be the "upper limits" on your knowledge of law.  You are also responsible for additional materials provided in the text and in the lectures.

The "key" to an excellent grade in the course is to demonstrate the understanding of law
by recognition of its relevance to actual business environments and to perceive risk through the recognition of "debatable issues."  Such recognition of an issue that may be debatable usually is derived from development of the ability to ask questions and seeking unknown relevant information that will be critical in making prudent judgments that may have legal consequences.  None of this analysis can be done without knowing and understanding the meaning of the law that is relevant to the actual or potential dispute.

Therefore, to the degree you fail to learn specific rules of law (accurately), you limit your ability to engage in critical analysis.  The "best advice" is to learn as much specific law as you can reasonably acquire (certainly much more that the mere "outline" that is in the "red" book......whose primary purpose is just to help you take notes) and to then master the critical analytical techniques that will make your efforts forever valuable!
 

Submit Current Event analyses

I submitted a current event analysis but I didn't receive any points for it. Why?

1) Due to the amount of paper work that comes through, it is possible that we simply missed it. However, the chance of that happening is slim. It is more likely that we simply did not receive it due to circumstances out of our control.  Therefore, be certain to verify that your current event analysis was received.

2) Again, since these points are "extra credit" that could easily change your final grade, the quality and the quantity of your work must at least exceed the average quantity and quality of analysis performed on the take home exams, at a minimum, to receive any extra credit.

3) Of course, the current event's legal significance must be directly relevant to the materials we are then studying.

Why did I only receive a few points for my extra credit current event analysis?

Current event analysis extra credits are treated like your take home practice exams when grading.  However, since this is "extra credit," the quantity of effort, the results and the quality must substantially exceed that of your practice exam.

How much work should be contained in each take home exam, extra credit exam or current event case analysis?

All of these assignments are graded knowing that the student can receive help from others, the Teaching Assistants and Professor Bergstrom.  Unlike "in class" exams, there are no "time constraints."   Therefore, we expect your very best, full and complete responses to each section.  Excellent grades will require identification of the most substantial and highest quality analytical responses to Sections I, III, and IV, as well as the most full and complete discussion of the relevant rules of law that can be assimilated from the lectures, the textbook, and the web page.

How often does the web page get updated?

This site is generally updated after every class session, but also whenever the need arises.

How often do the TAs check their mail?

It depends on which TA you are referring to.  The frequency varies, so you should check with the TAs themselves. As far as the FRL 201 Mailbox is concerned, it is checked at least once a day. The same goes for Mike.

In his effort to unify the site controls to allow fast updates, Kai implemented much of the begining documentation of certain more "advanced" aspects of the site's new controls. Enabling future webmasters whom will be aiding Professor Bergstrom in his site to update the site much more quickly and efficently as possible. Webmasters of Professor Bergstrom site are encouraged (and asked) to keep the site logs updated under the "Site Update" page and refer to the logs of changes if they need help updating the site.