The following is general information about the current event summary assignments.  After reviewing this information, please post any questions you have about this assignment here.  You may also send your questions via email. What is the purpose of this assignment? The purpose of this assignment is to research and write about current events or current issues related to a topic we’ve covered (or will cover) in this course during weeks 4 - 8.  Please see your syllabus schedule for the topics you can cover on each current event summary. Topics that can be used for current events from weeks 4-8 (pick from below). Contracts: Mistakes, Fraud, and Voluntary Consent, Statute of Frauds:  Writing Requirements and Electronic Records. Sales and Lease Contracts Agency Law Business Organizations -  Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Corporations, Franchising  What is a “current event”?  For the purpose of this assignment, “current” will mean occurring between Jan. 1, 2012 and the present. What is the required paper format and length? The paper must be written in 12 point font and double –spaced. Pages must be numbered. You must include a title page which identifies your name, course title and section and describes the current event or issue you’re covering. You must include a list of sources used for the paper. The paper must be 5-7 pages in length. You must use AT LEAST THREE sources to support your paper (6 sources max.) and your sources need to be varied.  You cannot use the same source or type of source twice (e.g., you couldn’t use two new stories from the Washington Post or two guidance documents from the FDA). What sources are permissible and which will not be permitted? You may use any of the following sources.  These can be accessed via the UMUC Online Library. The Business Journal Newsweek Law Reviews (Lexis/Nexis Academic) Law Journal Wall Street Journal State/Federal Cases (Lexis/Nexis Academic) State and Federal Statutes Guidance documents from state and federal agencies You MAY NOT use the following sources: Wikipedia and other internet dictionaries or encyclopedias Internet blogs and opinion sites Internet ads, articles and association papers Organization’s training documents and manuals Business Law or any other textbook - You may only use the book as a reference for legal definitions/concepts. What should the summary include? You should include this type of information in your current events summaries:     What subject matter did you find a current event about?     What happened?     Where did it occur?     Describe the parties involved?     If there were charges, what were they?     If there was a lawsuit or criminal case, describe the case.   The issues   The court’s opinion   The outcome for the plaintiff/defendant   Jury verdict, if applicable   Is there anything about this case still pending?     What future implications do these current events have on this area of the law.

1. The following is general information about the current event
summary assignments. After reviewing this information, please
post any questions you have about this assignment here. You
may also send your questions via email.
What is the purpose of this assignment?
The purpose of this assignment is to research and write about
current events or current issues related to a topic we’ve covered
(or will cover) in this course during weeks 4 - 8. Please see
your syllabus schedule for the topics you can cover on each
current event summary.
Topics that can be used for current events from weeks 4-8 (pick
from below).
Contracts: Mistakes, Fraud, and Voluntary Consent, Statute of
Frauds: Writing Requirements and Electronic Records.
Sales and Lease Contracts
Agency Law
Business Organizations - Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships,
Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies,
Corporations, Franchising
What is a “current event”?
For the purpose of this assignment, “current” will mean
occurring between Jan. 1, 2012 and the present.
What is the required paper format and length?
The paper must be written in 12 point font and double –spaced.
Pages must be numbered.
You must include a title page which identifies your name,
course title and section and describes the current event or issue
you’re covering.
You must include a list of sources used for the paper.
The paper must be 5-7 pages in length.
You must use AT LEAST THREE sources to support your paper
(6 sources max.) and your sources need to be varied. You
cannot use the same source or type of source twice (e.g., you
couldn’t use two new stories from the Washington Post or two

2. guidance documents from the FDA).
What sources are permissible and which will not be permitted?
You may use any of the following sources. These can be
accessed via the UMUC Online Library.
The Business Journal
Newsweek
Law Reviews (Lexis/Nexis Academic)
Law Journal
Wall Street Journal
State/Federal Cases (Lexis/Nexis Academic)
State and Federal Statutes
Guidance documents from state and federal agencies
You MAY NOT use the following sources:
Wikipedia and other internet dictionaries or encyclopedias
Internet blogs and opinion sites
Internet ads, articles and association papers
Organization’s training documents and manuals
Business Law or any other textbook - You may only use the
book as a reference for legal definitions/concepts.
What should the summary include?
You should include this type of information in your current
events summaries:
What subject matter did you find a current event about?
What happened?
Where did it occur?
Describe the parties involved?
If there were charges, what were they?
If there was a lawsuit or criminal case, describe the case.
The issues
The court’s opinion
The outcome for the plaintiff/defendant
Jury verdict, if applicable
Is there anything about this case still pending?
What future implications do these current events have on this
area of the law?
You should dedicate the major portion of this paper to your

3. own thoughtful analysis of the event or issues.
How will these papers be evaluated?
The paper will be worth 20% of your final grade. Each will be
graded on a scale of 1-20 points. Your paper will evaluated
based upon:
Organization
Grammar/Punctuation
Clear, Concise Writing
Clear Identification of the Issues or Events
Proper format and length
Quality and Quantity of Sources
Ability to integrate sources into the paper discussion well
Use of Proper Source Citation
Inclusion of Original Thought and Analysis of the
Issues/Event