SYLLABUS

BUSINESS LAW: REAL ESTATE 3274

SPRING 2017
Tu/Th 3:30-4:45

PROFESSOR MARK R. SPURLING

ON-CAMPUS OFFICE: ROOM 313

OFF-CAMPUS OFFICE:
130 UNION STREET
VERNON, CT 06066
(860) 875-7707
CELL: (860) 798-3821 (EMERGENCY ONLY)

Email:mark.spurling@business.uconn.edu
Alternate email: markspurling@sbcglobal.net
______________________________________________________

Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday in the

classroom or by appointment in SOB Room 313
______________________________________________________

REQUIRED TEXT:

Real Estate Law 11th edition by Marianne Jennings ( you may rent as well)
Student ISBN: 978-1-305-57991-0

https://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9781305579910

ASSIGNED CHAPTERS:

Chapter 1 Introduction and Sources of Real Estate Law

Chapter 2 Land Interests
Chapter 3 Extent of Real Estate Interests
Chapter 4 Non-possessory Interests
Chapter 5 Fixtures
Chapter 6 Liens
Chapter 7 Describing Land Interests
Chapter 8 Co-ownership
Chapter 9 Landlord-Tenant Relationship
Chapter 10 Commercial Leases
Chapter 11 Real Estate Communities: Multiunit and Owner’s Associations
Chapter 12 The Broker’s Role in the Transfer
Chapter 13 Purchase Contract
Chapter 14 Methods of Transfer and Conveyance
Chapter 15 Financing in the Transfer of Real Estate
Chapter 17 Transferring Real Estate after Death: Wills, Estates, and Probate
Chapter 18 Zoning
MATERIALS COVERED ON EXAMINATIONS:

Each examination will test assigned chapters in the text, materials covered in class lectures, class videos
and relevant handouts/links.

GRADING:

There will be a total of three examinations in this course, each will constitute 27% of your final course
grade. They may be objective ( T/F and M/C), essay, short answer, I.D. or any combination thereof at the
discretion of the instructor. Their exact nature, as well as their dates, will be announced in advance. Instructor
reserves the right to make material on the exams cumulative.
EXAMS: All personal belongings (including all electronics and phones: turned off or silenced) must be put
away and out of sight. If you are wearing a hat, the brim must be over the back of the head. Water bottles
must be stowed inside a purse or backpack. No other food items allowed during the exam.

All grades during the term will be based on a numerical grade of 100. Exams will be curved to a 100-
point scale.

SCALE: 80.0000 – 82.99999 B-

83.0000 – 86.99999 B
87.0000 – 89.99999 B+

(At instructor’s sole discretion he may round up a grade based on exceptional class participation).

Written Assignments Reaction Papers: Due dates 2-2-17 and 4-3-17

This assignment is NOT a film review or book review, but an expression of your personal reactions to
experiencing the movie or book. Your paper should indicate what you have learned about the legal system or
what opinions you have formed about the legal system or what previously held opinions about the legal
system have been either challenged or confirmed as a result of this assignment. Papers must be submitted in
printed hardcopy and safe assign on Husky CT.

1. You are to view the film “Erin Brockovich” and write a 250-300 word reactionary paper. Nine percent
(9%) of the grade. Failure to provide the paper by the FEBRUARY 2, 2017 deadline will result in a
final grade reduction of 9 points (on a 100 basis scale).

https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Brockovich-Julia-Roberts/dp/B000ICXQU6/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-
video&ie=UTF8&qid=1484599100&sr=1-1&keywords=erin+brockovich

2. You are to view the documentary “Inside Job” narrated by Matt Damon and write a 300-400 word
reactionary paper. Ten percent (10%) of the grade. Failure to provide the paper by the April 13, 2017
deadline will result in a final grade reduction of 10 points (on a 100 basis scale).

Free: http://documentary-movie.com/inside-job/ , http://documentarylovers.com/film/inside-job/

Pay: https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Job-Matt-Damon/dp/B0041KKYBA
AVAILABILITY:

My office hours will be before or after class in the classroom or in my office located in Room 313. If
you have a scheduling conflict and cannot meet with me during these times, I will arrange a special time to meet
with you in my office. Unfortunately, my time on campus is limited, however, I want to be accessible to
everyone. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with me.

MISCELLANEOUS:

A. In the event that make-up classes are necessary for any reason, the instructor reserves the right to
reschedule the same. The dates, times, and places of such classes are at the discretion of the instructor. Please
note that because your Professor may have several commitments over the course of the semester, there may be
one or two make-up evening classes during the semester. These classes could be held on one or two Tuesday or
Thursday evenings. If one or both of these classes are in fact held, I will then cancel a corresponding amount of
regular classes during the semester. I mention this now so that each student may act accordingly.

B. Your first exam and your second exam may be given during a special exam sessions held in the late
afternoon or evening.

C. It is the general policy of the instructor that NO make-up exams will be given in this course. If a
student misses an exam, and assuming that the student has been officially excused by the instructor for good
cause, the instructor reserves the right to:

a) give a make-up exam.

b) weigh the remaining exams differently.
c) assign a 10 page research term paper in lieu of the missed exam.
d) revise a subsequent exam to include the material that was covered on the exam that was missed.

The application of these various options will be within the sole discretion of the instructor.

D. EXTRA CREDIT RESEARCH PAPER of at least eight (8) pages double spaced may be written.
The subject matter is to be approved by the Professor prior to writing and submission. The grade of the
paper may be used to replace the student’s lowest exam score, thereby comprising 27% of the final grade. All
extra credit papers must be submitted by the last day of class (not the final exam).

COURSE ENROLLMENT. University requirements mandate that you be enrolled through the University
Registrar to receive course credit. If you are not enrolled, you must add this course through the Registrar's office
before the Registration deadline. If you are not officially enrolled (yet continue to attend and participate in the
course), you are not eligible to receive credit for this course.

 Special Needs. If you are a student who needs academic accommodations due to a disability, please be
in contact at your earliest convenience so that appropriate accommodations can be made.

ACADEMIC CONDUCT: The School of Business faculty strongly believe that academic integrity is a corner
stone in the educational process. All students should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations
found in the student code ( http://www.dos.uconn.edu/student_code.html )
"A fundamental tenet of all educational institutions is academic honesty; academic work depends upon respect
for and acknowledgement of the research and ideas of others. Misrepresenting someone else’s work as one’s
own is a serious offense in any academic setting and it will not be condoned.
Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, providing or receiving assistance in a manner not
authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation (e.g., papers,
projects, and examinations); any attempt to influence improperly (e.g., bribery, threats) any member of the
faculty, staff, or administration of the University in any matter pertaining to academics or research; presenting,
as one’s own, the ideas or words of another for academic evaluation; doing unauthorized academic work for
which another person will receive credit or be evaluated; and presenting the same or substantially the same
papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the instructors involved.
A student who knowingly assists another student in committing an act of academic misconduct shall be equally
accountable for the violation, and shall be subject to the sanctions and other remedies described in The Student
Code."
Student code Appendix A section B.- Conduct Rules and Regulation item 1 - Violation of the Academic
Integrity in Undergraduate Education and Research.
Please note that if Religious observances prohibit you from participating in any required activities such as
exams, please let me know at least one week in advance so alternative arrangements can be made.
Student Expectations During Exams and Class Assignments:
o Only resources approved by the faculty may be used

o No communication with others. Keep your eyes on your own work

o All materials not approved for the exam (i.e. books papers and other materials) must be removed
from the table/desk and chairs and placed on the floor
o No caps/hats or earphones

o All cell phones must be turned off and put away unless expressly permitted by the instructor

o No electronic devices unless explicitly allowed by the instructor

o Let your professor know if you witnesses someone cheating

Netiquette rules concerning peer respect

 Cell phones must be turned off or silenced during class.
 If you have special needs requiring an exception to this rule discuss with me.
 Students who surf, play games or engage in any other activities not related to the class are affecting the
learning of the students around them by distracting them. Stay on task. Activities such as Web surfing or
gaming may distract classmates. Listen to your classmates if they complain to you that your use is
distracting.
Final assessment week for Spring 2016 takes place from Monday, May 2 through Saturday, May 7th.
Students are required to be available for their exam and/or complete an assessment during the time
stated in the Registrar's Office Schedule. If you have a conflict with this time you must visit the Office
of Student Services and Advocacy to discuss the possibility of rescheduling this assessment.
Students who have a conflict about which they have or should have had advanced notice (ex.:bunched, religious
obligation, legal/medical appointments MUST formally seek permission to reschedule their assessment.
Please note that vacations, previously purchased tickets or reservations, graduations, social events, misreading
the assessment schedule and over-sleeping are not viable excuses for missing a final assessment. If you think
that your situation warrants permission to reschedule, please contact the Office of Student Services and
Advocacy (2nd floor Wilbur Cross) to meet with a staff member.

Note: My lectures are protected by state common law and federal copyright law. They are my own individual
expression. Although you are authorized to take notes in class, thereby creating a derivative work from my
lecture, the authorization extends only to making one set of notes for your own personal use and no other use, or
in the case of a student with a disability (if the Center for Students with Disabilities has determined that it is a
reasonable accommodation). You are not authorized to record my lectures, to provide your notes to anyone else,
or to make any commercial use of them without express prior permission from me.

Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Inappropriate Romantic Relationships

The University is committed to maintaining an environment free of discrimination or discriminatory harassment directed
toward any person or group within its community – students, employees, or visitors. Academic and professional
excellence can flourish only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. All
members of the University community are responsible for the maintenance of an academic and work environment in
which people are free to learn and work without fear of discrimination or discriminatory harassment. In addition,
inappropriate Romantic relationships can undermine the University’s mission when those in positions of authority abuse
or appear to abuse their authority. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits
discrimination and discriminatory harassment, as well as inappropriate Romantic relationships, and such behavior will be
met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

More information is available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=2884.

Sexual Assault Reporting Policy

To protect the campus community, all non-confidential University employees (including faculty) are required to report
assaults they witness or are told about to the Office of Diversity & Equity under the Sexual Assault Response Policy. The
University takes all reports with the utmost seriousness. Please be aware that while the information you provide will
remain private, it will not be confidential and will be shared with University officials who can help.

More information is available at http://sexualviolence.uconn.edu/.

Students with Disabilities

Please contact me during office hours to discuss academic accommodations that may be needed during the semester
due to a documented disability. The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) engages in an interactive process with
each student and reviews requests for accommodations on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Depending on the
nature and functional limitations of a student’s documented disability, he/she may be eligible for academic
accommodations. CSD collaborates with students and their faculty to coordinate approved accommodations and services
for qualified students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability for which you wish to request academic
accommodations and have not contacted the CSD, please do so as soon as possible. The CSD is located in Wilbur Cross,
Room 204 and can be reached at (860) 486-2020 or at csd@uconn.edu. Detailed information regarding the process to
request accommodations is available on the CSD website at www.csd.uconn.edu.