This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Contract Law under U.S. jurisprudence, including both the common law tradition and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Participants will learn how legally binding agreements are formed, interpreted, enforced, and terminated. The course dissects the life cycle of contracts—starting from offer and acceptance, moving through consideration, performance obligations, breach, and remedies. Along the way, the course will analyze judicial reasoning, policy debates, and evolving doctrines including good faith and unconscionability. Real-world scenarios, practical applications, and landmark cases will be seamlessly incorporated to sharpen legal reasoning and equip students with a practical legal toolkit.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
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Understand the fundamental principles of contract formation, interpretation, and enforcement.
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Analyze and apply rules derived from the common law and the UCC.
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Distinguish between enforceable and unenforceable agreements, including issues of capacity, public policy, and mistake.
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Evaluate contractual disputes and predict outcomes using legal doctrine and precedent.
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Apply doctrines such as promissory estoppel, substantial performance, anticipatory repudiation, and impossibility.
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Identify legal remedies and damages available for breach of contract and evaluate when specific performance may be appropriate.
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Develop a strong understanding of modern developments in contracts, such as electronic contracts and the role of standard form agreements.
