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Yale University

American Contract Law I

Yale University via Coursera

Overview

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American Contract Law I (along with its sister course Contracts II) provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. The course covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class. Each lecture is based on one or more common-law cases, integrating legal doctrines with policy discussions. The course also covers key sections from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods.

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to understand:

Formation: how a valid and enforceable contract is created, including concepts such as offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • CONSIDERATION AND ITS SUBSTITUTES THE CONSIDERATION DOCTRINE I
  • CONSIDERATION AND ITS SUBSTITUTES THE CONSIDERATION DOCTRINE II
  • THE BARGAIN RELATIONSHIP I
  • THE BARGAIN RELATIONSHIP II
  • THE BARGAIN RELATIONSHIP III
  • THE BARGAIN RELATIONSHIP IV

Taught by

Ian Ayres

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

4.9 rating at Coursera based on 873 ratings

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  • In a typical law school course, the students must read the case law and attempt to comprehend it. Then a professor, usually using the Socratic Method, will elicit legal concepts in what is a very intimidating process. This course is infinitely better in teaching these concepts than in the scenario above. First of all, the cases are edited (minus a lot of extraneous dicta) for easier understanding. Second, the video lectures clearly explain judicial decisions and the reasoning behind them while sprinkling in 'pop quizzes' to reinforce what the student has learned. Finally, there are weekly quizzes that measure overall progress. I am very much looking forward to the follow up course to this one.
  • Anonymous
    I have been reviewing and negotiating contracts for years. This course is teaching me the "whys" behind what I have been taught. This course is challenging, exciting and informative. It has been very helpful.

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