Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract
- Free to audit
- Paid certificate
- Course certificate
- Intermediate
- 8 weeks
Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract is taught by Charles Fried and introduces the range of issues that arise when entering and enforcing contracts, from agreeing to software terms to hiring a contractor or ordering a meal. It begins with what a contract is and why contracts matter, then covers the intent to create legal relations, legality and morality, and the difference between gifts and bargains; forming contracts through valid offer and acceptance; limits on enforcement; pitfalls such as one-sided promises, mistake and fraud; issues that excuse performance; remedies for breach; and when third parties can enforce a contract. This version adds units on interpretation, agency, partnerships, corporations and government regulation, with updated case examples.
It is self-paced, eight weeks long at 3 to 6 hours per week, and rated intermediate. Harvard lists the course as free to audit on edX, with a verified certificate available for $299.
What you’ll learn
- Explain the theory linking trust, promise and contract
- Form contracts through valid offer and acceptance
- Identify limits on enforcing contracts
- Recognise issues that excuse contractual performance
- Describe remedies for breach and third-party enforcement
Who it’s for
Business owners, students and anyone who signs agreements and wants to understand what the law will enforce; not a substitute for legal advice.
Source: Harvard Online (opens in a new tab) · Verified · Report a change
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