INTRODUCTORY BUSINESS LAW
SELF-PACED COURSE
1. About this Course
This course covers all of the substantive material that is usually taught in an introductory one-semester college course on Business Law. The goal of the creator of this course –Modern States Education Alliance, a non-profit organization– is to prepare you to pass the CLEP examination and obtain college credit for free.
The CLEP examination places a major emphasis on understanding the functions of contracts in American business law. It also includes questions on the history and sources of American law, legal systems and procedures, agency, employment and sales. This exam contains approximately 100 questions to be answered in 90 minutes.
The “Introductory Business Law” course is completely self-paced. There are no prerequisites to take this course, and it is entirely free.
This course is organized into seven topical chapters or modules that contain short video lessons, exercises and readings. It will take you less than 25 hours to prepare for the exam.
2. About Paul Schiff Berman, Professor of Law at GWU and Lawyer
Paul Schiff Berman, Walter S. Cox Professor of Law, is one of the world’s foremost theorists on the effect of globalization on the interactions among legal systems. He is the author of over fifty scholarly works, including Global Legal Pluralism: A Jurisprudence of Law Beyond Borders, published by Cambridge University Press in 2012. He was also among the first legal scholars to focus on legal issues regarding online activity, and he is co-author of one of the leading casebooks in the field.
In addition to his scholarly work, Professor Berman has extensive experience in university and law school administration, having served as Vice Provost for Online Education and Academic Innovation at The George Washington University from 2013 to 2016; Dean of The George Washington University Law School from 2011 to 2013; and Dean of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University from 2008 to 2011. Professor Berman has previously served as the Jesse Root Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he taught from 1998 to 2008. For the 2006–2007 academic year, Professor Berman was a Visiting Professor and Visiting Research Scholar at Princeton University in the Program in Law and Public Affairs. He also serves on the Organizing Committee of the Association for the Study of Law, Culture, and the Humanities and is Co-Chair of the International Law and Technology Interest Group of the American Society of International Law.
Professor Berman graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University in 1988 and earned his law degree from New York University in 1995.
3. Required Knowledge and Skills
The CLEP exam requires you to demonstrate the following knowledge as indicated:
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Knowledge of the basic facts and terms (about 30-35 percent of the examination)
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Understanding of concepts and principles (about 30-35 percent of the examination)
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Ability to apply knowledge to specific case problems (about 30 percent of the examination)
4. Course Modules
Following are the main topics and percentages of the exam’s questions, mostly based on the College Board's description of the course:
Module 1: History and Sources of American Law (5%–10%)
1.1 Background on Formal Legal Systems
1.2 Sources of U.S. Law
1.3 U.S. Bill of Rights
Module 2: American Legal Systems and Procedures (5%–10%)
2.1 Criminal Law and Civil Law
2.2 The Court Systems
2.3 Court Functions and Procedures
2.4 Jurisdiction
Module 3: Contracts (25%–35%)
3.1 Meanings of Terms
3.2 Formation of Contracts
3.3 Consideration
3.4 Capacity
3.5 Contracts for the Benefit of Third Parties
3.6 Assignment and Delegation
3.7 Statute of Frauds
3.8 Scopes and Meanings of Contracts
3.9 Breach of Contract and Remedies
3.10 Bar to Remedies for Breach of Contract
3.11 Discharge of contracts
3.12 Illegal Contracts and Public Policy Concerns
Module 4: Legal Environment (25%–30%)
4.1 Ethics
4.2 Social Responsibility of Corporations
4.3 Government regulation/administrative agencies
4.4 Environmental Law
4.5 Securities and Antitrust Law
4.6 Employment Law
4.7 Creditors' Rights
4.8 Product Liability
4.9 Consumer Protection
4.10 International Business Law
Module 5: Torts (10%–15%)
5.1 Meanings of Terms
5.2 Intentional Torts
5.3 Negligence
5.4 Strict Liability
5.5 Harms to Regulation or Economic Interests
5.6 Vicarious Liability
Module 6: Agency, Partnerships and Corporations (5%–10%)
6.1 Agency
6.2 Partnerships
6.3 Corporations
Module 7: Sales (5%–10%)
7.1 Meaning of Terms
7.2 Formation of UCC Contracts
7.3 Warranties
7.4 Remedies
5. How CLEP Works
Developed by the College Board, CLEP (College-Level Examination Program®) is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program.
CLEP’s credits are accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities, according to College Board. These tests assess college-level knowledge in 33 subject areas.
Modern States Education Alliance is the non-profit organization behind these edX-style courses. Its project is called “Freshman Year for Free” and its mission is to make college more accessible and affordable through free, high-quality online education.