Course Overview
This is a dynamic and interactive two-week course designed to introduce high school students to the essential legal concepts and business strategies involved in starting and managing a business. The course blends theoretical insights with practical applications, offering students a comprehensive view of how law intersects with the entrepreneurial world. Students will engage in lectures, case studies, group discussions, and experiential learning. The course culminates in a case study presentation, where students will analyze a business of their choice, applying their understanding of legal and operational challenges.
All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University noncredit transcript.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify key legal principles relevant to starting and managing a business, including contracts and intellectual property.
- Explain the differences between common business structures such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations, and their legal implications.
- Analyze the legal and operational challenges faced by businesses using real-world examples and case studies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how legal frameworks influence business decisions through the creation and presentation of a case study.
- Evaluate potential solutions to common business and legal challenges based on their knowledge of foundational legal concepts.
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: TBD
Format: On Campus (at Syracuse University)
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior status – or a 2025 high school graduate.
Credit: Noncredit
Grading: Pass/Fail
Cost:
- Residential: $4,295
- Commuter: $3,318
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – On Campus: Experience what college is really like: take a college-level course, live in a residence hall, have meals with friends in a dining hall, and participate in activities and events on campus.
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College – On Campus | 2-Week Session I: Sunday, July 6 – Friday, July 18, 2025 | MTWThF; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Noncredit |
To see if this course is ‘open,’ refer to the full course catalog.
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
What a Typical Day Will Look Like for Students:
- 9 – 9:15 a.m.: Welcome and overview of the day’s agenda.
- 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.: Lecture on a foundational business law topic (e.g., contracts, business structures, intellectual property).
- 10:15 – 10:30 a.m.: Break.
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Interactive activity, such as:
- Small group analysis of a business-related legal case study.
- Role-playing a legal scenario (e.g., negotiating a contract).
- 11:30 a.m. – Noon: Guided Q&A session and reflection to connect the morning’s lecture with the activity.
- Noon – 1 p.m.: Lunch break.
- 1 – 2:30 p.m.: Afternoon TA session:
- Students work in groups or individually on their case study project, researching and organizing information about the legal and operational challenges faced by their chosen business.
- TA provides feedback and guidance as needed.
- 2:30 – 2:45 p.m.: Break.
- 2:45 – 4 p.m.: Afternoon TA session continues:
- Students work on drafting their case study findings and preparing brief presentations.
- Optional: Class discussion on a relevant legal question or challenge posed by the TA to reinforce learning.
When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College – On Campus activities to meet and connect with other students! Check out our On Campus Experience page for more information!
Faculty Bios
Daniel Hebert
Daniel Hebert (he/him/his) joined the College of Professional Studies in Fall 2022 as an Assistant Teaching Professor. He primarily teaches and develop courses in Business Management, Creative Leadership, Enterprise Risk Management, and other areas of Professional Studies.
Hebert holds a J.D. from the University at Buffalo and an LL.M. from Washington University in St. Louis. Hebert was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2012.