CAL NORTHERN SCHOOL OF LAW
SYLLABUS – FALL 2015
COURSE:
COURSE NO.:
TIME:
INSTRUCTOR:
Contracts
101A
Wednesdays: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Dirk Potter, J.D.
20 Independence Circle
Chico, CA 95973
Phone: (530) 342-6144
E-mail: dpotter@japc-law.com
Office Hours: Before or after class or, at my office, by appointment.
TEXT:
1.
2.
Problems in Contract Law, Cases & Materials, 7th Ed,
Knapp, Crystal & Prince
Rules of Contract Law, Knapp, Crystal and Prince
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A comprehensive survey of the law of contractual rights and
obligations, including the formation of contracts, application of the Statute of Frauds, rights and
liabilities of third party beneficiaries and assignees and excuse for nonperformance, such as
conditions and discharge.
COURSE GOALS AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course Goals:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Doctrinal Knowledge
A. Substantive Law
B. Underlying policy and jurisprudence
Critical Thinking
A. Statute & Case Analysis – comprehending and evaluating arguments, comparing
and contrasting cases, and synthesizing law
B. Problem Analysis – application of law to new factual contexts
C. Problem Solving – creative thinking, analogizing, recognizing policy objectives
Communication Skills
A. Oral/Written Communication – Ability to orally and/or in writing present factual
information and to persuasively argue the law as applied to facts
Professionalism
A. Ethical obligations, appropriate demeanor, rules of civility
Contracts Syllabus, Page 1 of 3
Student Learning Outcomes:
Specific student learning outcomes shall include the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the rules and requirements of
Contracts under California law.
Students will identify and explain underlying public policy concerns as it relates
to the topic.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze cases and/or statutes.
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the law to new factual contexts
using the traditional IRAC format.
GRADING: This is a graded class. Student grades will be derived from a 1-hour midterm
essay examination which counts as 25% of the course grade and two 1-hour final essay
examinations which count as 75% of the course grade.
COURSE STRUCTURE: This course will consist of readings, discussion, lectures and case
presentations. You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases in the assigned
readings. The schedule noted below will give you a rough outline of the material we will be
covering each evening. Please note that the schedule is subject to revision.
The lectures are designed to supplement the reading and case assignments; you will not do well
in this course if you merely attend and take lecture notes. For each chapter assigned, the student
should read and brief each case and be prepared to participate in class discussions. Each student
should also be prepared to discuss each of the text “problems” that are within the assigned
readings.
As a general rule, I assume that the opportunity and responsibility for learning are in your hands.
I am available to assist you and would encourage you to use me as a resource.
COURSE SCHEDULE: For each class session you are expected to have read and be prepared
to discuss each of the cases in the assigned reading. Readings noted with an asterisk (*) refer to
Rules of Contract Law.
DATE
ASSIGNMENT
TOPIC
OBJECTIVES
8/26
1-26
31-43
43-73
Introduction to Contract Law
Objective Theory of Contract Law
Offer and Acceptance in Bilateral and
Unilateral Contracts
Postponed Bargaining – The
“Agreement to Agree”; Introduction to
Consideration
Consideration
I, II
9/2
9/9
73-97
97-104
9/16
104-142
I, II, III, IV
I, II, III, IV
I, II, III, IV
Contracts Syllabus, Page 2 of 3
DATE
9/23
9/30
10/7
ASSIGNMENT
142-158
*Rules of Contract
Law, UCC-2-204 and
UCC 2-205
159-188; *Rules of
Contract Law, UCC
2-207
188-207
209-247
10/14
247-276
10/28
276-323
11/4
11/11
325-371
UCC 2-201
373-405
11/18
405-439
11/25
Sat.,
12/12
OBJECTIVES
I, II, III, IV
UCC Firm Offer
Qualified Acceptance – The Battle of
the Forms
Electronic Contracting
Protection of Promisee Reliance
I, II, III, IV
I, II, III, IV
Mid-Term Examination
10/21
12/2
TOPIC
Contract Formation Under
Article 2 of the UCC;
Limiting the Offeror’s Power to Revoke: I, II, III, IV
Pre-Acceptance Reliance
The Principle of Restitution; Promissory I, II, III, IV
Restitution
The Statute of Frauds
I, II, III, IV
Principles of Interpretation
I, II, III, IV
Parol Evidence Rule
I, II, III, IV
No Class - Thanksgiving Holiday
439-453
Parol Evidence Rule under the UCC and
Review
I, II, III, IV
Final Examination
Contracts Syllabus, Page 3 of 3