204 Contract Documents and Construction
Law Class Syllabus

$380 for members, $445 for non-members

Introduction
Learning Objectives
Class Organization and Grading
Grading Policies
Textbook and Order Form
Reading Ahead
Withdrawl/Refund Policy
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Introduction
This course focuses on understanding the relationship between contract documents and the construction process. We will explore contractual relationships, legal roles and responsibilities, and contract types. Legal issues will be studied including regulatory issues, liens, bonds, insurance, and how standardized forms are used. General conditions clauses that affect levels of decision making authority, project close-out and the superintendents role as agent of the contractor will be studied. We will study legal issues that often result in construction disputes including differing site conditions, time and schedule impacts, change orders and changed conditions. We will also study contract dispute resolution including negotiations, alternative dispute resolutions, and litigation of disputes.

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Learning objectives:
By the end of this class you should:

• Understand the importance of contract documents and construction law as they pertain to on site construction supervisors.
• Be able to understand and use common legal terms.
• Understand the different forms of formal dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration and mediation.
• Understand the roles of partnering in avoiding construction conflicts by communicating and building trust between contractual partied.
• Be able to differentiate between various contractual relationships by understanding the roles and responsibilities of contractual parties.
• Understand the different types of construction contracts and how the construction supervisors role may be affected by them.
• Be able to determine the levels of decision making authority and relationships as defined by the general conditions.
• Learn how to recognize, develop and manage a documentation system
• Understand the effects of changes as they are encountered and develop methods to react to potential conflicts resulting from changes.
• Know how to recognize differing site conditions and understand the importance of handling changed conditions effectively.
• Know how to handle schedule impacts, delays, accelerations, suspensions and disruption of time related work activities.
• Be able to resolve conflicts and issues through negotiation.

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Class Organization and Grading
The following table lists the learning modules, the maximum value in points a student can receive within each module, and the time in which the modules
must be finished.

It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed before the following Monday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance. Actual dates that modules will become available will be posted in advance on the course calendar.

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Grading Policies
Graded assignments will consist of one quiz for each module and participation in at least two class discussions. Each quiz will count 10 points and class discussions will count 15 points per module. You can see that I consider class discussions to be a very important part of this course. Students learn more and learn better when they discuss the topic at hand. For that reason, I consider the regular weekly discussions to be even more important than the weekly quizzes.

Grades will be posted on a weekly basis. You will have full access to your grade sheet so you will be able to keep track of how you are doing at all times.

Your overall grade in the course will be determined by the total number of points you have accumulated on quizzes and assignments. The grading scale
is as follows:

• A 225 to 250 points
• B 200 to 224 points
• C 175 to 199 points
• Anything less will be considered an unauthorized withdrawal from the course.

You will be given more information about the grading and other course matters in the Orientation Module.

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The Textbook
The textbook for this class is Unit 4, Contract Documents and Construction Law (S), 6th Edition

Order Unit 4, Contract Documents and Construction Law (S), 6th Edition directly from the AGC by clicking on the link. Cost of the book is approximately $156.

We are in no way associated with the AGC. The link to the book is provided only for your convenience.

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Reading Ahead
This table details the reading assignments for the entire course. This will give you opportunity to read ahead and get a jump on upcoming modules.

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WITHDRAWAL POLICY
You may withdraw from a course by sending an email to PSmith@aspeNational.org or by conventional mail requesting to be dropped from the course. Non-attendance or notifying the instructor does not constitute officially dropping or withdrawing from a course. Students who stop attending courses without officially dropping will receive a grade of U in the class. Refunds are not automatic. NO refunds are due unless the course is officially dropped within stated guidelines in the refund schedule.

Refund Schedule
a. Withdrawal postmarked at least one working day before the first day of class – total fee less a $20 handling fee.
b. Refund requests postmarked on or after the first day and no later than two weeks after the first day of class will be refunded 65% of the fee, after which time there is no refund.
c. Decision on withdrawals and refunds will be based on the date when the ASPE Society Business Office receives written withdrawal notice. Drops done by mail are effective as of the postmark date.
d. All course materials including the textbook and other included supplies must be returned in their original conditions, shrink wrap unbroken, or a $100 charge will apply.

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