Frederick Community College

LA104-Contracts-ONL

Fall 2008

Instructor Information:

 

Name:   Tracy Parker

Office:   B200

E-mail:  tparker@frederick.edu

Phone Number: 301-624-2819

Office Hours: Office Hours: Monday 12:30-1:45pm; Wednesday 11:30-1:30pm; Saturday 8:00-8:45am (9/23-10/4)

Campus Mail Box Number:  106

 

Course Information:

 

Credits: 3

Last Day to Drop: November 3, 2008

Prerequisites: EN50A or satisfactory performance on writing assessment and EN52 or satisfactory performance on reading assessment

Co-requisites:

Meeting Day(s): ONLINE

Meeting Time(s): NET

 

Course Description:

         

This course covers the fundamental principles of contract law; the manner in which contracts are formed; the elements of a valid contract; the rights and obligations of various parties to a contract, as well as the rights of third parties; and available remedies when a contract is breached. 

 

 

Core Learning Outcomes:

 

By the completion of the course students will:

1.    Identify the elements of a valid contract

2.  Define the duties and obligations of the parties

3.    Describe remedies that are available when contracts are breached and the steps that must be taken to invoke those remedies

4.    Utilize a checklist to gather necessary information to prepare a basic contract

5.    Draft a basic contract using samples or form books

6.    Interpret and analyze basic contracts

 

Instructional Methods:

 

Lecture (optional in-class sessions as determined by the instructor)

Group Discussion

Virtual Classroom

Practice by Doing

 

 

Text(s) for Course:

 

Basic Contract Law for Paralegals, Helewitz, 5th Ed.

 

Evaluation Methods:  <The following sample is provided for instructor’s convenience.>

 

Tests / Papers / Projects

Point Value

Final Grade Scale

 

Mid-term Exam

100 points

A=90-100%

Final Exam

100 points

B=80-89%

Contract

100 points

C=70-79%

Professionalism

25 points

D=60-69%

 

 

F=59% or below

 

Discussion Board Participation (Students must start an original thread to earn credit.)

5 points each

 

 

 

 

Progress Report:   Students will receive some form of written assessment of their progress in the course no later than the sixth week of the course.>

                                                                                                                                                                                               

Attendance Policy:  

Students are expected to view Assignment Folders in Blackboard as directed.  Announcements and e-mail should be viewed everyday if possible.  All assignments and exams in this course are given with an extended timeframe.  For example you will typically have at least one week (usually longer) to complete assignments and at least one week to take the exams.  All deadlines must be met.  The exceptions are cases of serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or mandatory participation in official College functions.  You must provide timely notification and verification to the instructor to be considered for an extension of a missed deadline.  All extensions will result in a grade deduction to be determined by the instructor.

 

 

TOPICAL OUTLINE

 

Class

 

Subject

Content

 

1

 

General Introduction; Overview of Contracts

Ch. 1: Contract Defined; Basic Requirements; Classification of Contracts

 

2

 

Offer

Ch. 2:  Defined; Objective Intent; Communication; Definite Terms; Essential Terms; Sample Clauses

 

 

3

 

Acceptance

Ch. 3:  defined; Mirror Image Rule; Silence as Acceptance; Who May Accept; Method of Acceptance; Termination of the Ability to Accept; Sample Clauses

 

 

4

 

Consideration

Ch. 4:  Defined; Benefit Conferred; Detriment Incurred; What is not Consideration; Promissory Estoppel; Special Agreements; Sample Clauses

5

 

Capacity; Legality of Subject Matter

Ch. 5:  Defined; Age; Mental Capacity; Alcohol and Drugs; Legality of Subject Matter; Statutes and Public Policy

 

6

 

MID-TERM EXAM

MID-TERM EXAM

 

7

 

Defenses to Enforcement

Ch. 6:  Contractual Intent defined; Fraud and Misrepresentation; Duress; Mistake

 

8

 

Statute of Frauds

Ch. 7:  Defined; Applicable Contracts; Writing Requirements; Signature; Parole Evidence Rule

 

 

9

 

Third Party Contracts

Ch. 9:  Assignment; Delegation; Third Party Beneficiary Contracts (Intended and Incidental)

 

10

 

Performance and Discharge of Obligations

Ch. 7:  Covenants; Conditions;  and

Ch. 10 Methods of Discharge

 

11

 

Uniform Commercial Code

Ch. 8:  Overview; Basic Guidelines; Article II, Sales; Article IX, Secured Transactions

 

 

12

 

Remedies

Ch. 11:  Compensatory, Punitive, Consequential, Liquidated Damages; Equitable Remedies

 

13

 

Document Preparation

Gather information to prepare a basic contract; Review Sample Contracts

 

14

 

Draft a Contract

Draft a basic contract using samples and form books

Contract Due

 

15

 

FINAL EXAM

FINAL EXAM

 

 

Note:  All assignments for this course are posted in the weekly Assignment Folders in Blackboard.  If you notice a difference between the Blackboard Assignment Folder and the Topical Outline, then you are to follow the Blackboard Assignment Folder.