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.

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.

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.

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.  The instructor considers 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, the regular weekly discussions are considered 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:

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.

The Textbook

The textbook for this class is Unit 4, Contract Documents and Construction Law (S). Click on this link to order the book.

If you order a used book be sure you are getting the correct edition.

Please note: The book must be purchased separately and is not included with the cost of the course.

Allow at least 5 working days between ordering the book and receiving it by the least expensive shipping. You can have your book delivered more quickly by paying more for the shipping.

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.

Withdrawal Policy

You may withdraw from this course by sending an email to cmiller@aacei.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

Registration

Tuition: $500 / $400 (Nonmember / AACE member)

Click here to REGISTER.