CSTM 433 Legal Aspects of Construction
Spring 2009
Course Description: A comprehensive review of legal aspects of construction for managers. Topics include
contracts/agreements, liens, bonds, insurance, codes, certification, laws and ethics.
Prerequisite: CSTM 334 Construction Concepts, or permission of instructor.
Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, each student will:
A. Have a basic understanding of the legal terms common to construction (see page 355-373 in
assigned text).
B. Understand differences of, and the proper application of, the following contracts: 1) costplus-fee, 2) unit price, and 3) stipulated sum contracts.
C. Understand the role of all the following in construction contracts: 1) owner 2) contractor 3)
subcontractor 4) supplier and 5) designer.
D. Have a fundamental knowledge of contract documents, bidding, and negotiating contracts.
E. Understand the construction contractor’s role in administrating construction contracts,
including claims and disputes, change orders, time lines, payments for work completion,
and inspection and correction of work completed.
Class Format: A combination of lectures, videos and class discussion will account for about 90% of the
presentations. Class discussion and projects will be an integral part of this class. Case studies maybe included
and if so they will involve small groups and require presentations to the class as a whole.
Text: Collier, Keith. Construction Contracts, Third Edition, 2001. Merrill Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River,
NJ. ISBN 0-13-755927-5
Tests: There will be three tests during the course. Each will cover an individual and part of the course as
designated by the textbook. The final test will not be comprehensive. Tests will be comprised of a variety of
different objective and subjective questions including: multiple choice, essay, matching, short answer, and
true-false questions. Quizzes will be given frequently during the semester. Make-ups are never allowed for
missed quizzes.
Written Assignments/Case Studies: Two assignments of this type may be assigned during the semester, one
before mid-term and one after mid-term. Each case study will carry the same grading weight as one-half of a
test.
Grading: In keeping with University policy, only grades of A, B, C, D, and F may be given in these courses.
Accordingly, the following range will be used to apply all grades. Scores of 93-100=A; 82-92=B; 70-82=C;
60-70=D; and 0-59=F.
Class Attendance: Each student is expected to attend class each day and to be in class on time. Where as
you will not be penalized for missing a class or being late, the quizzes given will help to improve your final
grade.
Reading Assignments: You are expected to have read and studied the assigned reading material before
coming to class. Frequent quizzes will be used to monitor that your reading is up to date.
In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations
in the area of test or note taking may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for
an accommodation. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to my attention, as I
am legally not permitted to inquire about the particular needs of students. Furthermore, I would like
also to request that students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuation (ie., fire,
tornado, etc.) contact me as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency.
Personal Information:
Dr. Thomas G. Bridge, Professor
Office – Knoblauch Hall 9
Office Phone – 298-2488
E-mail – TG-Bridge@wiu.edu
Office Hours – Tuesday 9 AM – 11 AM