Contracts: A Guide for the Busy 1L: Home
This guide provides information about a variety of electronic and textual resources that can help you succeed in your first year civil procedure class.
Last Updated: Mar 31, 2020 2:04 PM
CALI Lessons
CALI lessons allow you to work through issues in contracts in an interactive format in which you answer questions and explain your reasoning. If you are confused or have questions about an issue, a CALI lesson may provide a quick way to test and improve your knowledge.
Here are a few Contracts Lessons that are helpful for 1Ls. A complete list of Contracts related lessons is available at the CALI website.
Audio Downloads of Contracts Cases
The website for AudioCaseFiles allows you to download an audio version of the many important torts opinions as an MP3 file.
To register for an AudioCaseFiles account, go to: CourtroomView Network (CVN) and follow the instructions. If you have problems registering, please contact Beth Adelman at the Law Library for assistance.
For a list of audiorecorded opinions that are included in Farnsworth, et al., Contracts: Cases and Materials, 6th ed.
Here is a list of audiorecorded cases available for Professor Schegel's Contracts class:
Frigaliment Importing v. B.N.S. International Sales
Embry v. Hargadine, McKittrick Dry Goods Co.
McDonald v. Mobil Coal Producing
Idaho Power v. Westinghouse Electric
Wood v. Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon
Nanakuli Paving & Rock v. Shell Oil
Contracts Study Aids
Hornbooks and other study aids provide additional perspectives and clarifications to your assigned reading. Do not rely on them exclusively.
Unless otherwise noted all texts are located in the Law Library's Study Aids Collection, which is located on the 7th floor of the Law Library.
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Contracts by Written by a leading expert in the field, The Oxford Introductions to U.S. Law: Contracts provides students with ready access to the basic doctrines of contract law, the story behind their evolution, and the rationales for their continued existence. An engaging book that allows students to grasp the "big picture" of contract law, it is organized around the principle that lies at the heart of contracts: consent. Beginning with the premise of "consent," the book provides a cohesive framework in which to understand the various aspects of contract law.Call Number: KF801 .B37 2010ISBN: 978-0199740185Publication Date: 2010-04-21 -
Contracts by The author provides a detailed treatment of the basic rules, principles, and issues in contracts. Topics covered include offer and acceptance, parol evidence and interpretation, consideration, promissory estoppel, contracts under seal, capacity of parties, conditions, performance, and breach. The author also discusses damages, avoidance and reformation, third-party beneficiaries, assignments, and the statute of frauds. The discharge of contracts and illegal bargains are also the subject of separate chapters.Call Number: KF801 .C26 2014ISBN: 978-0314287700Publication Date: 2014-01-01 -
Chirelstein's Concepts and Case Analysis in the Law of Contracts, 7th (Concepts and Insights Series) by Recommended in more than 100 schools, the updated seventh edition of Concepts and Case Analysis in the Law of Contracts is a readable primer that offers first-year law students a reliable overview of the major themes and leading cases in the field of the law of contracts. This contracts primer is straightforward and uncluttered, covering the main themes of the first-year contracts course, together with related cases.Call Number: KF801 .C44 2013ISBN: 978-1609303303Publication Date: 2013-06-03 -
Principles of Contract Law by This overview of contract law explains concepts clearly and concisely, in an informal, humorous style. For ease of reading and understanding, the book refrains from including complex textual footnotes. Instead, the footnotes cite cases, with most including short quotations to substantiate assertions made in the text. The book also contains numerous examples and illustrations. Cross references enable readers to review concepts that constitute building blocks for the current material.Call Number: KF801 .H529 2014ISBN: 978-0314288943Publication Date: 2013-12-06 -
Mastering Contract Law by Mastering Contract Law explores the basic principles and purposes of contract law, including a discussion of background principles and traditions of private ordering. The book explains contract formation, interpretation, and the requirement of written evidence for enforcement of certain types of promises. It explores the themes and doctrines of reliance, restitution, and the importance of public policy in contract law. Chapters include all of the areas of contract law typically covered in the first-year course, including the bargained-for exchange, unenforceable contracts, performance and breach, obstacles to performance, modification, pre-contractual obligation, remedies and damages, and stakeholders other than contracting parties, including the third-party beneficiary doctrine, delegation and assignment. The organization of the book reflects the five sequential questions that frame the thought processes of lawyers and judges dealing with contracts issues. For example, before considering whether a party s conduct amounts to a breach, a judge would answer the question whether the parties had indeed formed a contract. In addition to explaining the major cases traditionally covered in contracts classes, the authors present common-sense examples and hypotheticals in order to link student intuitions about fairness and competition to the law of contracting.Call Number: KF801 .R87 2011ISBN: 978-1594602870Publication Date: 2011-05-01 -
Contracts by A favorite among successful students, and often recommended by professors, the unique Examples & Explanations series gives you extremely clear introductions to concepts followed by realistic examples that mirror those presented in the classroom throughout the semester. Use at the beginning and midway through the semester to deepen your understanding through clear explanations, corresponding hypothetical fact patterns, and analysis. Then use to study for finals by reviewing the hypotheticals as well as the structure and reasoning behind the accompanying analysis. Designed to complement your casebook, the trusted Examples & Explanations titles get right to the point in a conversational, often humorous style that helps you learn the material each step of the way and prepare for the exam at the end of the course. The unique, time-tested Examples & Explanations series is invaluable to teach yourself the subject from the first day of class until your last review before the final. Each guide: helps you learn new material by working through chapters that explain each topic in simple language challenges your understanding with hypotheticals similar to those presented in class provides valuable opportunity to study for the final by reviewing the hypotheticals as well as the structure and reasoning behind the corresponding analysis quickly gets to the point in conversational style laced with humor remains a favorite among law school students is often recommended by professors who encourage the use of study guides works with ALL the major casebooks, suits any class on a given topic provides an alternative perspective to help you understand your casebook and in-class lecturesCall Number: KF801 .Z9 B58 2013ISBN: 978-1454815471Publication Date: 2013-05-06 -
Sum and Substance by Quick Review of Contracts is a short, clear, concise, and substantive outline. It is designed to make the study of law clear and convenient, and it is designed to help students prepare for their law school exams. The main body is an outline of the substantive content that a stuent needs to prepare for a law school exam. The concise format provides a "Big Picture" overview allowing students to review the subject quickly prior to final exams.Call Number: KF801 .Z9 B73 2013ISBN: 978-0314280343Publication Date: 2013-01-18 -
Exam Pro on Contracts, Essay by This Exam Pro consists of essay questions actually given by Contracts professors throughout the United States. Every question contains a detailed explanation, along with analytical steps explained in easy-to-understand, basic language, and a step-by-step guide on how to analyze each major issue. Both Professor âeoemodelâe answers and student âeoeactualâe answers are provided to allow students to get a feel for all the issues that could have been discussed on some questions, and what is realistic for a student to actually answer under timed conditions. The Preface includes tips on how to take essay exams. A general âeoeList of Issuesâe covered on each question is provided, so the student can decide whether or not to use a particular question given the course coverage in the studentâe(tm)s Contracts class. Similarly, an âeoeIndex of Issuesâe is provided so the student can easily find all the questions that deal with a particular substantive issue which allows for repetitive testing on a troublesome issue. Each answer includes cross-references to the applicable sections of the Restatement (Second) Contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code, and citations to the more important cases in Contracts law, allowing the student to easily match the subject matter of the question to his or her outline and class discussion. Cross-references are included in every answer to relevant portions of Sum & Substance: Quick Review of Contracts, allowing for easy reference if more substantive knowledge is either needed or desired.Call Number: KF801 .Z9 B735 2014ISBN: 978-0314286048Publication Date: 2014-01-15 -
Exam Pro on Contracts, Objective by This Exam Pro includes over 330 objective questions covering every substantive area of Contract Law. Each answer choice includes detailed explanations as to why the correct answer was correct, and why each of the other choices was incorrect. Elements and rules for the most tested issues in Contract Law are explained in easy-to-understand, basic language, along with a step-by-step guide on how to analyze each type of question. Liberal citation to the applicable sections of the Restatement (Second) Contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code, and citations to the more important cases in Contracts law, allows the student to easily match the question to his or her outline and class discussion. Also included are tips on how to best use practice multiple choice questions to prepare for graded exams, and selected explanations of how professors construct multiple choice questions and how to avoid common "distracters."Call Number: KF801 .Z9 B736 2014ISBN: 0314285962Publication Date: 2013-11-20 -
Emanuel Law Outline by Emanuel Law Outlines support your class preparation, provide reference for your outline creation, and supply a comprehensive breakdown of topic matter for your entire study process. Created by Steven Emanuel, these course outlines have been relied on by generations of law students. Each title includes both capsule and detailed versions of the critical issues and key topics you must know to master the course. Also included are exam questions with model answers, an alpha-list of cases, and a cross reference table of cases for all of the leading casebooks. Emanuel Law Outline Features: #1 outline choice among law students Comprehensive review of all major topics Capsule summary of all topics Cross-reference table of cases Time-saving format Great for exam prepCall Number: KF801 .Z9 E56 2015ISBN: 978-1454870142Publication Date: 2015-10-06 -
Emanuel Crunchtime by Emanuel CrunchTime provides the right information, in the right format, at the right time to prepare for exams. Based on the trusted Emanuel Law Outlines developed by a Harvard law student (while he was in law school), Emanuel CrunchTime skillfully employs flow charts so you can walk step-by-step through the major principles and topics in the course in a pattern that can be used to analyze any exam question. Abundant tips and ample review features help you approach the final with confidence. The Capsule Summary allows you to quickly review key concepts, and you can test your knowledge by working through the many Short-Answer QandA s. CrunchTime lets you practice your essay exam skills as well. Exams Tips based on hundreds of past law school and bar exam questions recap the legal issues commonly tested. CrunchTime study aids structure the maximum amount of information you can learn in the last week before exams. Developed for students by a Harvard law student (while he was in law school), Emanuel CrunchTime titles provide the trusted guidance of Emanuel Law Outlines in a tighter, briefer format for quick review at exam time. Flow Charts walk you through a series of yes/no questions that can be used to analyze any question on the exam. The Capsule Summary allows you to quickly review key concepts. You can test your knowledge by working through the ample Short-Answer QandA s, which are organized by topic. Exams Tips often based on hundreds of past law school and bar exam questions recap the legal issues commonly tested on exams for you. They explore fact patterns typically used to test those issues. CrunchTime allows you to practice your essay exam skills by answering questions asked on past exams. Flowcharts help you craft compelling essays, and you can compare your answers to the samples provided. CrunchTime aids structure the maximum amount of information you can learn in the last week before exams. Uniform in writing style and approach, you can be confident that any title in the series is of consistent quality. Every title is frequently updated and reviewed against new developments and recent cases covered in the leading casebooks.Call Number: KF801 .Z9 E563 2012ISBN: 978-1454809180Publication Date: 2012-06-13 -
A Short and Happy Guide to Contracts by This efficient and exceedingly effective guide to Contracts will help you see the big picture. The authors focus on making the key concepts of contract law, and the relationship among those concepts, easier to understand and retain. The authors have also infused the book with humor, believing there is nothing inconsistent between a rigorous academic experience and having a little fun. Each of the authors is nationally-renowned law teacher who has taught Contracts for decades. Based on that experience, in this book they have set forth understandable techniques for mastering the law governing each critical aspect of the contract relationship, including, contract formation (offer and acceptance), enforcement (consideration and defenses), interpretation, performance, breach, and remedies. Learn more about this series at ShortandHappyGuides.com.Call Number: KF801 .Z9 E674 2012ISBN: 978-0314277930Publication Date: 2012-01-11 -
Understanding Contracts by This Understanding treatise is designed for first-year law students enrolled in Contracts. The text explains common law principles of contract law using cases and examples that students commonly encounter in this first-year course. It draws illustrations from the Restatement (Second) of Contracts, and from Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code as it has been adopted in all fifty states. This edition includes expanded material on the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods, and the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts, appropriate to a basic course in Contracts, and on modern statutes regarding electronic contracting.
Understanding Contracts was written with the understanding that Contracts will be one of the most challenging courses first-year law students will take. It explains how key concepts apply in several recurring basic fact patterns. It then builds on those fact patterns to explain how the law is more difficult to apply in business transactions with more complex facts. A key feature of Understanding Contracts, that is not found in other similar books, is its conscious incorporation of basic explanations of the common business practices to which the law of contracts applies. The feature helps students, many of whom have not had any background in the business world, understand contract law in the business settings in which it frequently applies. The book also provides detailed topic headings that students can use to develop their own comprehensive course outline.Call Number: KF801 .Z9 F46 2014ISBN: 978-0769898087Publication Date: 2014-05-01 -
Questions and Answers by Understand better what you're learning in Contracts class and prepare effectively for exams by applying concepts as you learn them. This study guide includes 230 multiple-choice and short-answer questions arranged topically for ease of use during the semester, plus an additional set of 20 questions comprising a comprehensive "practice exam."
For each multiple-choice question, Professor Rowley provides a detailed answer that indicates which of four options is the best answer and explains thoroughly why that option is better than the other three options. Each short-answer question is designed to be answered in fifteen minutes or less. For these questions, Professor Rowley provides a thoughtful, comprehensive, yet brief model answer.Call Number: KF801 .Z9 R69 2014ISBN: 978-1630431495Publication Date: 2014-01-01 -
Glannon Guide to Contracts by This student-friendly study guide offers a clear, concise and complete explanation of contract law through skillful use of multiple-choice questions. Addressing all topics covered in standard first-year contract courses, it provides an expository review of key points of law and illustrative scenarios, followed by probing multiple-choice questions. All possible answers are deconstructed through careful explanation and analysis, leading the student through the logic of why the correct answer was correct and, importantly, why the others were not. Important test-taking techniques and tactics receive thorough coverage throughout the text, making The Glannon Guide to Contracts an invaluable aid for first-year students trying to navigate the complexities of contract law. Distinguishing features of The Glannon Guide to Contracts: Highly accessible, user-friendly style that immediately engages students. Comprehensive coverage of all first-year law contract course material. A thorough, expository review of the key points of law precede all questions and prepares students to answer and learn from the multiple choice questions it incorporates. Skillfully crafted multiple-choice questions are challenging but wholly answerable by one who has mastered the preceding text All answers are deconstructed through clear, elaborate analyses showing why the right answer is right and the wrong answers are wrong. Provides tactics and strategies for converting substantive mastery to correct answers on multiple-choice questions. Invaluable exam-taking tactics and techniques set forth at various strategic points within the text. Flexible approach is equally useful to all students, whether their professors administer multiple-choice exams, essay exams, or both. Each chapter concludes with a "Closer," - a particularly challenging question that encourages students to push their mastery of the topic to a more sophisticated level. "Closing Closers" appear in the book's final chapter, cumulatively addressing all concepts covered in the textCall Number: KF801 .Z9 S526 2013ISBN: 978-0735557963Publication Date: 2012-10-01
Some Sources of Contract Law
Historically contract law has been judge-made law. In other words, the rules and doctrines of contract law emerge and evolve as judges make decisions in private litigation. The Restatement of Contracts distills the concepts and rules articulated in contract decisions and presents them in a conceptually organized format. Besides stating rules and principles, the Restatement also includes lengthy comments explaining those rules and principles as well as examples to illustrate their application. Students should bear in mind that the Restatement in itself has no precedential value, although it can acquire precedential value to the extent that courts recognize and adopt particular provisions.
Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code outlines a framework of rules to govern "transactions in goods." Article 2 has been enacted into law in every state except Louisiana. It has also been adopted in the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Note that while the versions of Article 2 adopted in different states are very similar, there is some minor variation from state to state.
For the text of UCC Article 2 and comments (as amended through 1994).
Study Aids Online
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West Study Aids databaseOnline access to more than 500 study aids including case briefs, outlines, overviews and exam prep titles. Series include:
Acing Series
Black Letter Outlines
Career Guides
Concepts and Insights
Concise Hornbook Series
Exam Pro Series
Flash Cards
Gilbert Law Summaries
High Court Case Summaries
Law School Legends Audio Series
Law Stories
Legalines
Nutshells
Quick Reviews
Short & Happy Guides
Sum and Substance Audio
Contracts Resources from Koren A/V
The Koren A/V Center, located on the Fifth floor of the Law Library, provides audio lectures on Contracts.
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Contracts by With Law School Legends, students get a brilliant law school professor explaining an entire subject in one simple, dynamic lecture. In these audio CDs, Professor David Epstein explains the important contract law concepts, the relationship among those concepts, and how a student can use the concepts to answer any question a professor might ask in class or on the exam.Call Number: KF801 .E67 2012ISBN: 978-0314282590Publication Date: 2013-04-26 -
Sum and Substance Audio on Contracts by Convenient and effective Sum and Substance audio lecture presents the essentials of contract law in a clear, succinct, time-saving format. Sections discuss: offer and acceptance, consideration, definition, sufficiency, adequacy, forbearance, past consideration, preexisting-duty rule, payment-in-full checks, promissory estoppel, statute of frauds, parole evidence rule, mistake, fraud, duress, undue influence, illegality, incapacity, unconscionability, impossibility, conditions and promises, anticipatory repudiation, third-party beneficiaries, assignment and delegation, and remedies.Call Number: KF801 .W49 2007ISBN: 9780314180650Publication Date: 2008-03-25
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