GCIP 191: Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR
Gregory Kelley
Phone: 760.744.1150 ext 2452
Email: gkelley@palomar.edu

DESCRIPTION
This is a one unit, eight week class in which we will study the elements of contract law, which is the basis of all commercial transactions. This course will teach students the knowledge of the legal requirements for creating contracts, the capacity of parties to enter into contracts, and the content of a legally enforceable contract. Students will learn how contracts are used in commercial and service transactions, and how to analyze, draft, and use contracts as a graphic designer and Web developer.

OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of this course is to help students to understand and apply basic contract law principles; assess the rights and duties of contracting parties during the life of a contract; understand and apply basic contract drafting skills; locate and use appropriate contract forms; and appreciate the role of contract law in the commercial world of graphic design and Web development.

OUTCOMES
After completing this course, students will be able to define and properly use terminology relating to contract law; locate, describe and analyze sources of contract law relating to graphic design and Web development;describe the role and ethical obligations of the graphic designer and Web developer relating to contract law; and draft contracts commonly used in design and development business transactions.

MATERIALS
Required Reading:
Crawford, Tad Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers, New York, NY: Allworth Press, 2013
Recommended Reading:
Crawford, Tad The Graphic Design Business Book, New York, NY: Allworth Press, 2005
Crawford, Tad Professional Practices in Graphic Design, New York, NY: Allworth Press, 2008
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, New York, NY: GAD, 2013
Sebastian, Liane Digital Design Business Practices, New York, NY: Allworth Press, 2001
Victoroff, Gregory The Visual Artist’s Business and Legal Guide, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995

GRADING
Each assignment for this course consists of a weekly Discussion Board Post, and an Exam. The final project, which will be a contract that each student drafts, is due at the end of the class. The total semester value is 1000 points. Assignments will be posted each Monday and are due the following Sunday. Assignments not completed on time will get a 50% reduction in points.

A = 1000 – 900 • B = 899 – 800 • C = 799 – 700 • D = 699 – 600 • F = below 599

ATTENDANCE
The flexibility of online courses allows students to complete assignments and participate in collaborative work from wherever there is a reliable Internet connection. In an online environment, attendance is measured by the quality and frequency of the posts in the discussion forums, and by participating in an academic activity within the online classroom, which includes posting in a graded discussion forum, submitting assignments, completing quizzes, and posting projects. My goal is to ensure the success of every student in this class. I am here to help you learn in a variety of ways, as well as to keep you on task and on schedule. Together, we can create a highly effective learning environment.

A contract is an agreement between two or more persons to do, or to refrain from doing, a particular thing in exchange for something of value and intends to formalize an agreement between two or more parties, in relation to a particular subject. The terms of the contract - the who, what, where, when, and how of the agreement - define the binding promises of each party to the contract. Contracts can cover an extremely broad range of matters, including the sale of goods or real property, the terms of employment or of an independent contractor relationship, the settlement of a dispute, and ownership of intellectual property developed as part of a work for hire. A contract, whether verbal or in writing, is a legally binding agreement enforceable in a court of law. However, not all agreements between two parties are legally binding contracts.

Offer
An offer is a proposal to make a deal. An offer must be communicated to another person, and it remains open until it is accepted, rejected, retracted or has expired. The offer will contain terms, which are elements that help define the scope of an agreement.

Acceptance
Acceptance is an acknowledgment by the person to whom the offer was made that the offer is accepted. The acceptance must comply with the terms of the offer and must be communicated to the person who proposed the deal.

Consideration
Consideration is the bargained-for exchange. It is the legal benefit received by one person and the legal detriment imposed on the other person. Usually consideration takes the form of money, property or services.