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American Contract Law I

Ian Ayres

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:

Read more

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.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
CONSIDERATION AND ITS SUBSTITUTES THE CONSIDERATION DOCTRINE I
CONSIDERATION AND ITS SUBSTITUTES THE CONSIDERATION DOCTRINE II
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces the Uniform Commercial Code, which learners can build on later
Taught by Ian Ayres, who are recognized for their work in contract law
Provides a strong foundation for learners interested in US contract law
Covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class
Integrates legal doctrines with policy discussions

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Foundation in us contract law

According to learners, American Contract Law I provides a solid foundation for understanding contract principles in the US. Students particularly appreciate the clear explanations and the use of real-world case examples to illustrate legal concepts. While the material is inherently challenging and requires significant effort, many find the course's approach highly valuable for building essential legal knowledge. Some mention it serves as a good introduction for those considering law school or needing to navigate basic contract issues in their careers.
Focus on case examples enhances understanding.
"Learning through actual court cases really helped solidify my understanding of how the law is applied."
"The case studies were a great way to see the doctrines in action."
"Analyzing the cases discussed in lectures provided invaluable practical context."
Explanations are clear and easy to follow.
"The instructor's explanations were very clear, breaking down complex legal concepts into understandable parts."
"I found the lectures easy to follow, even when the topic was dense."
"The way the professor presented the material made difficult ideas quite accessible."
Provides strong basis in core contract law.
"I feel like I have a solid foundation in contract law after completing this course."
"It's a great starting point for anyone interested in US contract law."
"This course gives a thorough overview of the fundamental principles."
Material is challenging and requires effort.
"This course is quite demanding; it requires a significant time investment to grasp the material."
"The concepts are challenging, and I needed to review lectures multiple times."
"Be prepared to work hard; this is not an easy course, mirroring the difficulty of law school."

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 American Contract Law I with these activities:
Explore interactive simulations or online resources on contract formation
Enhance your understanding of the intricacies of contract formation through interactive and engaging online resources.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online platforms or simulations that provide interactive contract formation exercises
  • Participate in the simulations or tutorials, following the instructions and scenarios provided
  • Reflect on the outcomes and apply your learnings to real-world contract scenarios
Participate in peer review and discussion of hypothetical contract scenarios
Enhance your critical thinking and communication skills by engaging in discussions with peers about complex contract law issues.
Show steps
  • Prepare by reading course materials and reviewing relevant case law
  • Join a peer group and present a hypothetical contract scenario
  • Facilitate discussion and encourage diverse perspectives
  • Critically evaluate the arguments of others and provide constructive feedback
Practice recognizing and analyzing consideration
Strengthen your understanding of one of the key elements of contract law by practicing identifying consideration in real-world scenarios.
Browse courses on Consideration
Show steps
  • Read the provided case briefs or scenarios that illustrate consideration
  • Identify the elements of consideration in each scenario
  • Analyze whether the consideration is sufficient and legally binding
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a visual representation of the elements of a contract
Solidify your understanding of the essential elements of a contract by creating a visual representation.
Show steps
  • Identify the key elements of a contract (e.g., offer, acceptance, consideration)
  • Choose a visual format (e.g., flowchart, diagram, or infographic)
  • Create a visually engaging representation that illustrates the relationships between the elements
  • Share your visual representation with others for feedback and discussion
Review E. Allan Farnsworth's Contracts
Supplement your understanding of contract law by reviewing a classic legal textbook that provides detailed analysis and well-reasoned arguments.
View Cases and Materials on Contracts (University... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read selected chapters or sections relevant to the course material
  • Take notes and highlight key concepts
  • Consider how the textbook's perspectives align with or challenge your current understanding
Analyze case studies and identify potential contract breaches
Develop your analytical skills and gain a deeper understanding of contract breaches by examining real-world cases.
Browse courses on Breach of Contract
Show steps
  • Read provided case studies or scenarios involving contract breaches
  • Identify the relevant contract terms and determine whether they have been breached
  • Analyze the potential legal remedies available to the non-breaching party
Draft a simple contract for a hypothetical business transaction
Apply your knowledge of contract law to a practical scenario by drafting a legally binding contract.
Show steps
  • Identify the essential terms of the contract (e.g., parties, subject matter, price)
  • Draft the contract in clear and concise language, ensuring it complies with legal requirements
  • Review and revise the draft to ensure accuracy and completeness
  • Seek feedback from peers or a legal professional to enhance the quality of the contract

Career center

Learners who complete American Contract Law I will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Contract Attorney
Contract Attorneys work on both sides of business transactions, drafting agreements, reviewing contracts, helping negotiate terms, and assisting with dispute resolution. These attorneys need a strong understanding of contract law fundamentals, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel, topics covered in this course. The course will help attendees understand how contracts are created, which is essential for Contract Attorneys charged with creating contracts. Additionally, attendees will cover the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods, which is very valuable for Contract Attorneys working on the legal side of business transactions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Contract Attorney
Business Lawyer
Business Lawyers advise and represent businesses in a multitude of legal matters, including contract drafting, negotiation, and enforcement. This course will help equip attendees with a foundational understanding of contract law, including topics such as offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This is vital for Business Lawyers, who draft contracts on behalf of businesses.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Lawyer
Corporate Lawyer
Corporate Lawyers advise and represent corporations on various matters, including contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance. This course may be useful for those seeking a career as a Corporate Lawyer, as it will help attendees build a foundation in contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. These concepts are key to understanding how contracts are formed and enforced, which is essential for Corporate Lawyers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Lawyer
Legal Consultant
Legal Consultants help businesses and individuals navigate legal matters, which frequently involve contracts. This course would be useful for those who seek a career as a Legal Consultant as it provides a foundational understanding of contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge will help Legal Consultants advise clients on the enforceability and interpretation of contracts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Consultant
Compliance Officer
Compliance Officers ensure that companies comply with laws and regulations. As part of this role, Compliance Officers may need to review and draft contracts. This course would be useful for Compliance Officers as it will help them build a foundation in contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge is essential for understanding how contracts are formed and enforced, which is key for ensuring compliance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts provide advice to individuals and businesses on financial matters, which sometimes involve reviewing and analyzing contracts. This course may be useful for Financial Analysts as it provides a foundational understanding of contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge is key for understanding how contracts are formed and enforced, which can help Financial Analysts evaluate the financial implications of contracts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Agents help clients buy and sell property, which involves drafting and reviewing contracts. This course will help Real Estate Agents understand the fundamentals of contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge is essential for Real Estate Agents to ensure that contracts are legally binding and protect the interests of their clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Agent
Insurance Agent
Insurance Agents help clients obtain insurance policies, which involves reviewing and explaining contracts. This course may be useful for Insurance Agents as it will help them build a foundation in contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge will help Insurance Agents understand how contracts are formed and enforced, which is essential for ensuring that clients have adequate insurance coverage.
See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Agent
Paralegal
Paralegals assist attorneys with legal research, drafting documents, and preparing for trials. This course may be useful for Paralegals as it will help them build a foundation in contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge will help Paralegals understand how contracts are formed and enforced, which is essential for assisting attorneys in various legal matters.
See salaries and explore the career path for Paralegal
Banker
Bankers provide financial services to individuals and businesses, which may involve reviewing and analyzing contracts. This course may be useful for Bankers as it provides a foundational understanding of contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge will help Bankers understand how contracts are formed and enforced, which can help them evaluate the financial implications of contracts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Banker
Loan Officer
Loan Officers help individuals and businesses obtain loans, which involves reviewing and analyzing contracts. This course may be useful for Loan Officers as it will help them build a foundation in contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge will help Loan Officers understand how contracts are formed and enforced, which is essential for ensuring that loans are legally binding and protect the interests of both the lender and the borrower.
See salaries and explore the career path for Loan Officer
Auditor
Auditors examine financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations. This may involve reviewing contracts to understand the terms of agreements and assess risk. This course can be useful for Auditors as it provides a foundational understanding of contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge can help Auditors better understand the enforceability of contracts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor
Accountant
Accountants provide financial advice and prepare financial statements for individuals and businesses. This course may be useful for Accountants as it will help them build a foundation in contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge can help Accountants understand how contracts are formed and enforced, which can be useful when providing financial advice or preparing financial statements.
See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant
Actuary
Actuaries assess risk and uncertainty in various areas, including insurance and finance. This may involve reviewing and analyzing contracts to understand the terms of agreements and assess risk. This course can be useful for Actuaries as it provides a foundational understanding of contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge can help Actuaries better understand the enforceability of contracts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary
Lawyer
Lawyers provide legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses. This course may be useful for those seeking a career as a Lawyer as it provides a foundational understanding of contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and promissory estoppel. This knowledge is essential for Lawyers who draft, negotiate, and enforce contracts on behalf of their clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

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 American Contract Law I.
Cover image
Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence
Save
The Restatement (Second) of Contracts comprehensive and authoritative statement of the law of contracts. It is used by courts and lawyers as a reference guide, and is an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand contract law.
Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence: Third...
Paperback
$$$
Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence:Third...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Changing Your Mind
Save
This treatise classic work on contract law. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of all of the major topics, and is an essential reference for anyone who wants to understand contract law. The treatise is written in a clear and concise style, and is accessible to both students and practitioners.
Changing Your Mind
Paperback
Check
Changing Your Mind
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
An Introduction to the Legal System of the United...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. It covers all of the major topics, and is written in a clear and concise style. The book is well-suited for both students and practitioners.
An Introduction to the Legal System of the United...
Paperback
$$$
An Introduction to the Legal System of the United...
Paperback
$$$$
An Introduction to the Legal System of the United...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Law and Revolution, II
Save
Provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the remedies for breach of contract. It covers all of the major topics, and is written in a clear and concise style. The book is well-suited for both students and practitioners.
Law and Revolution, II
Paperback
Check
Law and Revolution, II
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Uniform Commercial Code
Save
The UCC set of laws that govern commercial transactions in the United States. It covers a wide range of topics, including sales, leases, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions. The UCC is an essential reference for anyone who wants to understand contract law, and this book comprehensive and authoritative guide to the UCC.
Uniform Commercial Code (Hornbooks)
Hardcover
$$$$
Cover image
Law and Revolution, the Formation of the Western...
Save
Provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the formation of contracts. It covers all of the major topics, and is written in a clear and concise style. The book is well-suited for both students and practitioners.
Law and Revolution, the Formation of the Western...
Paperback
Check
Law and Revolution, the Formation of the Western...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Law and Language
Save
Provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the performance of contracts. It covers all of the major topics, and is written in a clear and concise style. The book is well-suited for both students and practitioners.
Law and Language
Paperback
Check
Law and Language
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
21st Century Workforces and Workplaces
Save
Provides a unique perspective on contract law. It argues that contract law is not simply a set of rules, but a system for promoting cooperation and performance. The book is written in a clear and engaging style, and is well-suited for both students and practitioners.
21st Century Workforces and Workplaces: The...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Elder Law in Context
Save
Concise and practical guide to contract law. It covers all of the major topics, and is written in a clear and concise style. The book is well-suited for both students and practitioners.
Elder Law in Context: [Connected Ebook] (Aspen...
Hardcover
$$$$
Elder Law in Context (Aspen Casebook Series)
Kindle Edition
$$$$

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Level
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Language
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Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces the Uniform Commercial Code, which learners can build on later
Taught by Ian Ayres, who are recognized for their work in contract law
Provides a strong foundation for learners interested in US contract law
Covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class
Integrates legal doctrines with policy discussions
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