Major subject: The Power of Law in Business

The major subject ‘The Power of Law in Business’ is aimed at business administration students who realise that they will be working alongside lawyers in any future role. Just as the disciplines of finance, data protection, Human Resources, IT, equality and marketing are virtually indispensable to any project, there is good reason why legal professionals should also be involved from the outset. By understanding how laws come into being, you will be able to apply them more effectively and make more informed use of the scope for discretion they offer. These are all skills that this major subject teaches in a contemporary way, tailored to current issues.

Some people can put this experience and knowledge to use in their own small business, whilst others will apply it within a larger organisation. The fact is: every business graduate needs it to avoid costly, time-consuming and reputation-damaging mistakes.

What does not happen in this major subject:

• tedious reading of legal texts (but rather the targeted application of the relevant provisions)
• A recap of the material covered in the lecture on private commercial law (we’re discussing completely different legal topics)
• poring over countless textbooks (we’re heading to the scene of the action, and for some of the laws that apply, there are hardly any textbooks available as yet)

In the module ‘Law and Business: Practical Insights’, you will gain first-hand experience of legal practice. The aim of the module is to foster an understanding of European and national law by exploring how it is formed: once you have grasped who takes the initiative on a draft bill, how we can understand why a law is enacted, and exactly who is involved, the legislative process takes on a human face. After all, there are people behind the European and national institutions involved. We’ll get to know some of them. And through discussions with lobbyists, you’ll realise where you yourself can influence the legislative process.

At the same time, you will learn exactly what needs to be done from a business perspective when a new law comes into force. What does this mean in terms of understanding the content, identifying the relevant departments or individuals within the organisation, and implementing the changes in accordance with a legally compliant project plan?

The examination consists of two components:

Mid-term: A presentation using a poster.

Final: Video presentation.

Through these two assignments, you will demonstrate the experience you have gained during the module. You will outline the requirements that new legislation places on corporate compliance, or identify the key aspects of the legislative process that are relevant from a business perspective for advancing your organisation’s interests.

By working alongside students from all over the world on this module, you will also gain an insight into different perspectives and approaches. You will have the opportunity to experience ‘internationalisation at home’.

New business models, strategic realignments within organisations, up-to-date tools and processes, modern leadership – you will always encounter digitalisation within the context of an evolving legal framework. We live in an age in which European law is specifically designed to facilitate Transformation. In the module ‘Applied Law in the Digitised Economy’, we capitalise on these framework conditions and explore their potential for innovation.

You will work through a specific case, in which, for example, you will

• to immerse yourself in the virtual world on behalf of a (fictional or real) company,
• enrich the gaming market,
• Set out the conditions for the use of artificial intelligence applications within the organisation, or
• Harnessing the potential of the platform economy.

Or perhaps you’d like to design each company’s ‘virtual business card’ – its website – in a ‘traditional’ way, whilst ensuring it complies with legal requirements?

Depending on the topics the group focuses on, we explore a wide variety of areas of application and law. What they all have in common is their high level of topicality and practical relevance.

Incidentally, here – as in the other PR modules – you have the opportunity to ‘go global without leaving home’.

The nature of the assessment will vary slightly depending on the topic chosen. In any case, it is a practical assignment which must be documented as it progresses.

Leadership is not a law of nature; it is something you develop. Leadership skills require both personality and competence. You will begin by practising how to persuade others competently and confidently in a negotiation situation through practical exercises. You will acquire interdisciplinary skills by developing solutions to business dilemmas based on real-life case studies. This involves understanding the legal tools at your disposal, distinguishing between business, ethical and legal issues, and addressing them appropriately. For example, you will understand the significance of long-term contracts, a particular company structure or compliance programmes in crisis situations, and learn how to steer a team through a crisis in a targeted manner. With this knowledge, you will be well equipped for a leadership role.

Working as part of a team, you will use realistic case studies to develop strategies, for example, for

• the allegation of forming a cartel,
• the ‘product recall’ crisis,
• long-term contractual relationships,
• an investment decision

Like all PR modules, PR.3 also offers the opportunity for ‘internationalisation at home’.

As part of the assessment, you will write a module assignment of approximately eight to ten pages (in German or English). This will also serve as preparation for your Bachelor’s thesis (developing a research question, conducting research, time management, citation styles, etc.). You are free to choose your topic from any of the areas covered in the seminar.