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Charles Fried

Learn about contracts from former Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried, one of the world's leading authorities on contract law. Contracts are promises that the law will enforce. But when will the law refuse to honor a promise? What happens when one party does not hold to their part of the deal? This version of the course adds new units on Interpretation, Agency, Partnerships, Corporations, and Government Regulation.

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Learn about contracts from former Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried, one of the world's leading authorities on contract law. Contracts are promises that the law will enforce. But when will the law refuse to honor a promise? What happens when one party does not hold to their part of the deal? This version of the course adds new units on Interpretation, Agency, Partnerships, Corporations, and Government Regulation.

We are exposed to contracts in all areas of our life -- agreeing to terms when downloading a new computer program, hiring a contractor to repair a leaking roof, and even ordering a meal at a restaurant. Knowing the principles of contracts is not just a skill needed by lawyers, it illuminates for everyone a crucial institution that we use all the time and generally take for granted.

This contract law course, with new materials and updated case examples, is designed to introduce the range of issues that arise when entering and enforcing contracts. It will provide an introduction to what a contract is and also analyze the purpose and significance of contracts. Then, it will discuss the intent to create legal relations, legality and morality, and the distinction between gifts and bargains. The course also investigates common pitfalls: one-sided promises, mistake, fraud, and frustration. With the knowledge of what makes contracts and how they can go wrong, Professor Fried will discuss remedies and specific performance. Finally, Professor Fried will introduce how contracts can create rights for third parties.

The course's instructor, Charles Fried, has been teaching at Harvard Law School for more than 50 years and has written extensively on contracts. Not only is Professor Fried a leading authority on contract law, but he also utilizes a story-telling approach to explaining the topic, which creates a unique and interesting class experience.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • A theoretical background of contracts, trust, and promise
  • How to form contracts through valid offer and acceptance
  • Limits to enforcing contracts
  • Issues excusing contractual performance
  • Available remedies for contractual breaches
  • Third parties' ability to enforce contracts
  • The limitations of contract law
  • How courts interpret contracts
  • Relationship of contracts to agency, partnership, corporations and regulation
  • How to read through contracts to apply these key concepts and understand potential issues and outcomes

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores the nature and importance of contracts, which helps students understand the role of agreements in society
Examines common pitfalls that can void contracts, such as one-sided promises, mistake, fraud, and frustration, which helps students identify and avoid legal issues
Taught by Charles Fried, a leading authority on contract law and former Harvard Law professor, which provides students with access to expert insights
Investigates the limits to enforcing contracts, which helps students understand the boundaries of legal obligations
Analyzes the relationship between contracts and third parties, which helps students understand the legal implications of agreements beyond the parties involved
Provides an overview of how courts interpret contracts, which helps students understand the legal principles that guide contract enforcement

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Reviews summary

Enjoyable, accessible contract law course

Learners say this Contract Law course is a delightful and accessible introduction to the basics of contract law. Legal expert Charles Fried does a great job at making complex topics understandable, with many students expressing that his teaching methods were engaging and clear. Prior knowledge of law is not necessary, and learners new to the subject may find this a great place to start. Students do wish there were more written supplemental materials and discussion forums to foster interaction.
Concepts are presented in a clear and understandable way.
"All concepts are presented in a very understandable way and are supported by precedents."
"Videos are interesting to follow."
"The lecturer, has a fantastic storytelling ability, and really teaches the foundational concepts as well as some of the minutiae of contracts."
There is a lack of written supplemental material and structured discussion on forums.
"Main downside for me was lack of written supplemental material and absence of structured discussion on forums."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract with these activities:
Review the elements of contract law.
Solidify basic contract law knowledge to prepare for deeper dives in the course.
Browse courses on Contract Law
Show steps
  • Review your notes or textbook on contract law.
  • Go over practice problems or questions on contract law.
Read and review the book 'The Elements of Contract Law' by Charles Fried.
Gain a comprehensive overview of contract law from an expert in the field.
Show steps
  • Take notes on key concepts and principles.
  • Read each chapter thoroughly.
  • Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter.
Practice analyzing and drafting contracts.
Develop practical skills in analyzing and drafting contracts, essential for understanding and applying contract law.
Browse courses on Contract Drafting
Show steps
  • Find sample contracts online or in textbooks.
  • Analyze the contracts, identifying key terms and provisions.
  • Draft your own contracts based on the models you've analyzed.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Negotiate and draft a contract for a real-world project or scenario.
Apply contract law principles in a practical setting, simulating real-world experiences.
Browse courses on Contract Negotiation
Show steps
  • Identify a project or scenario that requires a contract.
  • Research and identify relevant contract law principles.
  • Draft a contract that meets the needs of the project or scenario.
  • Negotiate the terms of the contract with other parties.
  • Finalize and execute the contract.
Contribute to open-source projects related to contract law.
Engage with the broader community, apply your skills, and gain real-world experience.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects related to contract law.
  • Review the project's documentation and code.
  • Contribute to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.
Organize and compile course materials, including notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Review and consolidate course materials to enhance retention and understanding.
Browse courses on Organization
Show steps
  • Organize notes, assignments, and quizzes by topic or chapter.
  • Create a summary or outline of key concepts.
  • Identify any areas where additional review or study is needed.
Create a blog post or article summarizing a specific contract law topic.
Deepen your understanding by explaining concepts to others, fostering critical thinking and communication skills.
Browse courses on Contract Law
Show steps
  • Choose a specific contract law topic to focus on.
  • Research and gather information on the topic.
  • Write a blog post or article that explains the topic clearly and concisely.
  • Share your blog post or article with others for feedback and discussion.

Career center

Learners who complete Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Contract Manager
Contract Managers draft, negotiate, and manage contracts. This course would be crucial for anyone seeking a career in contract management. It may be particularly valuable for those seeking to move into management in this field.
Attorney
Attorneys draft and review contracts. As this course goes over the entire contract lifecycle from intent to remedies, this course would be critical to an Attorney's success. This course would be most useful to an Attorney who focuses on civil litigation or transactional law.
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Agents draft and review contracts on a regular basis. For a Real Estate Agent who wishes to avoid costly legal pitfalls, this course would provide immense value.
Paralegal
Paralegals prepare and review contracts as well as research contract law. This course would be most relevant to a Paralegal who plans to work for a law firm specializing in contract law, corporate law, or real estate law.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts need to be able to interpret contracts. This course will be helpful for a Financial Analyst to understand how courts interpret contracts.
Loan Officer
Loan Officers often need to understand contract law related to lending. This course will help a Loan Officer understand how contracts can create rights for third parties, a critical element of lending.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for a Human Resources Manager to build a foundation in contract law.
Information Technology Manager
Information Technology Managers need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for an IT Manager to build a foundation in contract law.
Supply Chain Manager
Supply Chain Managers need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for a Supply Chain Manager to build a foundation in contract law.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for an Operations Manager to build a foundation in contract law.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for a Marketing Manager to build a foundation in contract law.
Project Manager
Project Managers need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for a Project Manager to build a foundation in contract law.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for a Sales Manager to build a foundation in contract law.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for a Business Analyst to build a foundation in contract law.
Procurement Manager
Procurement Managers need to understand contracts. This course would be useful for a Procurement Manager to build a foundation in contract law.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract.
This classic treatise provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the principles of contract law. It valuable reference tool for practitioners, scholars, and students alike.
This multi-volume treatise provides an encyclopedic overview of contract law, including analysis of cases, statutes, and secondary sources. serves as a useful reference tool for practitioners and scholars alike.
This comprehensive dictionary provides definitions and explanations of legal terms and concepts. It valuable resource for students, practitioners, and scholars alike.
This classic work explores the philosophical foundations of contract law, focusing on the nature of promises and the role of consent in the formation of contracts. It valuable resource for students who are interested in the philosophical and historical aspects of contract law.
Explores the theoretical foundations of contract law, focusing on the nature of promises and the role of consent in the formation of contracts. It valuable resource for students who are interested in the philosophical and historical aspects of contract law.
This influential book offers a critical analysis of contract law, arguing that it should be based on a relational approach rather than a purely formalistic approach. It valuable resource for students and scholars who are interested in the theoretical foundations of contract law.
This introductory textbook provides a concise and accessible overview of the fundamental principles of contract law. It good starting point for students who are new to the subject.

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